Hard Rock Mining in Oregon Environment, Economy, and Laws

Federal Laws General Mining Act of 1872 Organic Act of 1910 Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 Mining in the Parks Act of 1976 Mining Safety and Health Act of 1977 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) EPA National Hardrock Mining Framework (1997)

Unsuccessful Efforts to Reform Federal Mining Law 2015: 2-part resolution H963 Hard Rock Mining Reform and Reclamation Act Good Samaritan Cleanup of Abandoned Hard Rock Mines Act 2017: EPA declined to issue rules, ordered by Court of Appeals, requiring mining operations to provide financial assurance that they would be able to meet CERCLA clean-up rules, citing adequacy current state and federal regulations and risks of tax-payer funded actions.

State Laws and Management Statewide Planning Goals (Senate Bill 100, 1977) “Dueling Goals” Goal 5: specific provisions for the inventory and protection of mineral and aggregate resources. Goal 6: maintain and improve the quality of the air, water and land resources of the state Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) Geologic Survey and Services (GSS) Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation (MLRR) – regulates Oregon mining industry 1991 Oregon Chemical Process Mining Law HB 3089 (2015) – DOGAMI Report on mining potential in southern and eastern Oregon SB 644 (2017) - Allows mining sites with significant mineral resources to bypass statewide land use planning goals and rules that apply to exclusive farm use (EFU) zones as long as applicant meet specific requirements State Laws and Management

Consolidated Mining Permit process (ORS 517. 952 to 517 Consolidated Mining Permit process (ORS 517.952 to 517.989) Calico Mine application the first under these rules) Ensure coordination between state agencies, federal agencies, and local governments Consolidate baseline data requirements for needed State permits Provide for single comprehensive environmental analysis and socioeconomic study Provide a clear path for application processing including required opportunities for public input – Efficient schedule with specified deadlines Designate a single lead agency to provide coordination, accountability, and to mediate disagreements between agencies • Provide certain and limited permit requirements for applicant • Ensure Environmental Standards are met

Report focuses 0n locatable Minerals – precious and base metals Most mining is of salable minerals such as sand, cement, and gravel Volcanic nature means few areas suitable for mining of locatable minerals No currently active commercial scale mining operations Proposed Calico gold mine Past and potential mined minerals: Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Nickel, Uranium Mining in Oregon

Economy Economic Costs Evaluating economic potential difficult Path to profitable mine is long, difficult and expensive Benefits Expenditures associated with exploration New jobs New income and increased spending in community Local and state taxes Products made from minerals Purchase of products and services by company Jobs associated with reclamation and monitoring Economic Costs Instability and volatility of mining jobs; often boom/bust Displacement of other more sustainable economic activity Potential environmental damage Effects on local infrastructure Economy

Environment

Detrimental impacts of mining Physical disturbance Contamination of surface and ground water, air, and soil Habitat and ecosystem disturbance Metal mining most polluting industry with 47% of toxic pollution of and and water (2013 EPA)

Coordination of Environmental Analyses State law requires environmental analysis of chemical aspects of mining. Consolidated Mining Permit process (ORS 517.952 to 517.989) DOGAMI works with county and/or federal agencies, and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to coordinate analysis.

Environmental Impacts Water Erosion and Sedimentation Ground water draw down Acid mine drainage Cyanide heap leaching Metal and dissolved pollutants Accidental spills Soils Erosion leading to sedimentation in streams Contamination Reduced slope stability Air born dust contaminants Removal of vegetation leading to loss of habitat Air Quality Winds can distribute dust form mining operations. Heavy metals may build up downwind of mining site. Truck transport of ore can disperse dust along haul route. Habitat Degrade, reduce or eliminate habitat for birds, fish, wildlife, and unique plants. Multiple Use Mining priority use on public lands Reduced opportunities for hunting, fishing, recreation, foraging, and timber harvest. Esthetic qualities

Reclamation and Long-term Monitoring 1981: BLM regulations: all hard rock mining operations to reclaim land disturbed by mining after operations had ceased. 2001: Require bonds or financial assurances before beginning exploration or mining operations on land managed by the BLM. DOGAMI coordinates with BLM on reclamation bonds.

Alternatives to Mining Recycling Electronic devices Batteries Nickel Scrap metal Reuse Conservation