Re-visiting-mining

A few posts back, I mentioned I went to a conference addressing how quarries and mine companies must restore the land after they have removed mineral. I came across this story in SF Gate this morning which is a perfect example of why this is so important. Extreme, but perfect: Superfund money to clean 'mouth of beast.'

Please draw your attention to the portion of the article where they mention how little help the current owner of the mine provides to clean-up efforts:

The elderly owner of the property, Ted Arman, who bought the 3,500-foot mountain from the last mining company for $100,000, has not been much help, proposing a resumption of mining in addition to construction of a 200-foot-tall marble statue of Jesus Christ.

oh good lord.

acid run-off from Iron Mountain Mine. Photo from Stockpix.com