by Seth Koenig, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — A Canadian environmentalist and mining expert said Thursday there’s almost no way Bald Mountain can be mined without polluting nearby water, potentially for thousands of years. Ramsey Hart of MiningWatch Canada was tapped as the keynote speaker for the Natural Resources Council of Read More
Mining Pollution
Mining is one of the most dangerous industrial activities, with mining pollution affecting wildlife habitat, clean waters, and public health. Mining metals in deposits with high levels of sulfides, which are common in Maine, is especially dangerous. Mining companies search for metals like copper and zinc in deposits where iron sulfide is present in large quantities. Iron sulfide creates acid when exposed to air and water. This acid kills fish and other aquatic creatures. It also leaches out toxic heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, that may also be in the mined rock.
The Plan for New Mining Rules in Maine Spark Protests from Environmental Groups
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story This spring the Maine Legislature adopted legislation to revise rules for mineral mining at the request of timberland owner J.D. Irving. The Canadian company, which is Maine’s largest landowner, has identified a potential open pit mining site on land it owns on Bald Mountain in Aroostook County. But the Read More
Appreciating Autumn and NRCM
by Tony Owens, M.D., former board NRCM member I awoke this morning early, simultaneously aware of two sensations—a feeling of warmth radiating from the wood stove, and the aroma of onions sautéing from the kitchen. This could only mean one thing: vegetable soup for dinner. A quick, “Good morning,” was followed by “would you make Read More
Battle Over Bald Mountain
A controversial new law — aimed at the Aroostook County mount – loosens state regulations for open-pit mining. By Jeff Clark Down East Magazine news story July 2012 Bald Mountain is almost as tall as the pile of broken dreams it has created. Ever since a large, but low-quality, deposit of copper, zinc, gold, and Read More
Mining Bill Passes Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
By Jen Lynds, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to change the state’s mining laws has been passed by lawmakers and has been sent to Gov. Paul LePage for his consideration. Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, said Monday evening that LD 1853, An Act To Improve Environmental Oversight and Read More
Mining Bill Would Weaken System That Protects Maine’s Waters
by Matthew Scott Kennebec Journal op-ed As a resident of Belgrade and as a retired aquatic scientist on water quality and fisheries issues, I am writing to express my concern about L.D. 1853, a bill that would weaken protection for water quality and fish habitat when metal mines are permitted. As the bill stands, I Read More
Mining Track Record Brings Worries for Maine
by Ernest W. Hilton Bangor Daily News op-ed Jeff Reardon of Trout Unlimited recently wrote an OpEd in the BDN in opposition to a legislative initiative to amend Maine mining laws to facilitate open pit mining in the Bald Mountain area northwest of Ashland. His major premise was that the sulfide mineralization in Maine rock Read More
NRCM Comments on the Open Pit Mining Bill LD 1853
by Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM Executive Director A new open-pit mining bill, LD 1853, was introduced just a couple of weeks ago. It would allow much more toxic mining pollution than Maine’s current rules allow. This complex and sweeping bill was released for “public review” less than 24 hours before the public hearing. Mining is currently Read More
Battle Brewing Over Mining in Northern Maine
WLBZ-2 TV news story Are Maine’s mining laws outdated? The battle lines are being drawn between the state’s largest landowner and environmentalists over a bill before state lawmakers that could allow J.D. Irving to start a mining operation on land it owns in Aroostook County. Bald Mountain sits on land owned by JD Irving in Read More
