Number: 1992-16
WHEREAS, open pit cyanide heap leach mining for gold and other minerals is one of the most widely used forms of mining on our public lands, and also one of the most environmentally destructive forms of mineral extraction, involving massive earth movement and potential discharge of hazardous chemicals into the environment; and
WHEREAS, open pit cyanide heap leach mining causes major environmental harm by leaving open pits and roads in remote areas, loss of wildlife habitat, acid mine drainage in some areas, and groundwater quality degradation; and
WHEREAS, most cyanide heap leach mining activities are ineffective in controlling the contamination of soils and groundwater from hazardous materials and mine waste produced by the mineral extraction and processing, and cyanide heap leach mining impacts are inadequately regulated under state or federal law; and
WHEREAS, reclamation of lands and water affected by open pit cyanide heap leach mining to a productive capacity is not achieved under current federal environmental regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Mining Law of 1872 and other current federal laws are inadequate to protect the environment from degradation from open pit heap leach mining activities on public lands;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992, in Portland, Oregon, supports strong reform of the 1872 Mining Law to address the environmental problems created by cyanide heap leach mining and other problems, including: elimination of patenting; requiring reclamation bonds sufficient to cover all required short and long term reclamation activities; inspection and enforcement provisions; public participation in mine siting and permitting decisions; citizen suits; the establishment of an abandoned mined lands fund; fair market value royalties; complete reclamation of permit areas to include backfilling to original contour where feasible, stabilization, and revegetation; the application of the National Environmental Policy Act to all areas disturbed by hard rock mining and exploration activities; the banning of scofflaw violators of environmental laws from engaging in mining activities on federal lands; protection of fish and wildlife habitats and other environmental values; prohibition on offsite migration of hazardous or toxic substances from mining sites; the neutralization of leach pads; and the integration of hard rock mining decisions into the land use planning process.