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Tuesday, 30th May 2006 (2116 views)

The National Mining Association (NMA) has welcomed the Good Samaritan legislation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which aims to facilitate the clean-up of abandoned mines in the US.

The Good Samaritan rules are aimed at reducing the risk posed by abandoned hardrock mines across the country. Acid runoff from these mines can pollute rivers and pose health risks to humans and animals.

At the launch of the regulations, EPA administrator Stephen L Johnson noted that "environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility".

NMA president and chief executive Kraig R Naasz said his organisation "applauds EPA administrator Johnson and his team for their continued commitment to cooperative conservation and for proposing a thoughtful measure that brings us all closer to a solution to this long-standing problem."

He went on to note that the legislation would encourage mining companies to clean up disused sites because it put liability protection measures in place.

Current laws mean that those attempting to clean up an abandoned mine site could become liable for the whole clean-up operation, as well as runoff from the site.

 

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