| Analysis shows proximity of hardrock claims to cities |
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Thousands of hardrock mining claims are next door to many of the West's
largest cities, according to an analysis of claims by an advocacy group
urging Congress to reform the 1872 mining law.
The Environmental Working Group said yesterday its study shows 51,579 claims within five miles of cities or towns -- a number that has grown by 16,282 over the last five years. There are 5,822 claims near Las Vegas and 5,131 near Phoenix, the group said. Though mines are built on just a fraction of claims, it takes a few to make a profound impact on a community, the group said. Crested Butte, Colo., which has 671 mining claims nearby, already pays about $1 million per year to treat water contaminated with mine waste and is battling to block a proposed molybdenum mine in the Gunnison National Forest. Fueled by surging metal prices, the claims have grown in recent years because the 1872 law includes no prohibitions against making claims near cities or parks, the group said. "If this worldwide demand for precious metals continues we could very well see toxic mining operations not far from schools, parks and playgrounds in residential communities throughout the West," said Dusty Horwitt, the group's public lands analyst. Federal agencies have few opportunities to block mines. In 1996, for example, Horwitt said, the government spent $65 million to prevent development near Yellowstone National Park by buying out claims. And last month, for example, the Forest Service approved a permit to allow a British mining company to explore for uranium just outside Grand Canyon National Park (Greenwire, Feb. 7). A reform bill passed by the House last year gives federal agencies discretionary power over the locations of claims and allows towns and American Indian tribes to set aside land they deem valuable. Members of the working group and the Pew Center for Responsible Mining say they want the same provisions in the Senate version along with additional protections for residential areas. Click here to view the analysis.
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 13 March 2008 ) |
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