** Copper mine bankruptcy leaves 1,000 acres of toxic waste
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Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Lisbon Valley Mining Company Copper Mine ([link removed])
Utah's second-largest copper mine abruptly shut down ([link removed]) , citing the global economic downturn. Lisbon Valley Mining Company, which operates the mine 35 miles south of Moab, failed to secure loans and was forced to furlough 65 employees last week.
The mining site contains 1,000 acres of copper leach pads where acid is poured over crushed ore to extract copper deposits. The pads pose serious environmental risks and require near-constant maintenance. The company said ([link removed]) it "understands that failure of the pumps at the leach pad and ponds would result in a release of sulfuric acid into the environment after only 37 hours." Currently, volunteer employees are keeping pad operations from breaking down and leaking into nearby drainages.
The Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining said it may be forced to use a $6.1 million reclamation bond posted by the company to ensure funds are available to cover reclamation costs. It could take up to two years to neutralize and drain the pads.
Quick hits
** Trump administration continues to sell oil and gas leases amid industry slump, attracts few bids
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The Hill ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed])
** Coronavirus is making us less prepared for wildfire season
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Vice ([link removed])
** Wyoming coal interests funneled money, experts to halt decision on closing parts of Pueblo, CO coal plant
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
** Interest in nominating public lands for oil and gas leasing continues even after oil prices crash
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Bloomberg ([link removed])
** Southern Utah copper mine closes down, 1,000 acres of heap leach pads cause serious environmental concerns
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
** Pandemic slows BLM headquarters move to Colorado
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Communities near national parks urge non-locals to stay away
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Seattle Times ([link removed]) | Colorado Independent ([link removed])
** Yellowstone, Grand Teton join growing list of national park closures
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | New York Times ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The Trump administration has already gone to extraordinary lengths to stifle and ignore public input to enact its drill everywhere agenda. Ramming through major policies while the country battles a global pandemic would only add to its legacy of corporate charity and environmental destruction."
—Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Jesse Prentice-Dunn ([link removed])
Picture this
**
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@YellowstoneNP ([link removed]) S ([link removed]) | News Release: Effective immediately, @YellowstoneNPS ([link removed]) and @GrandTetonNPS ([link removed]) are closed to all park visitors until further notice. There will be no visitor access permitted to either park. #Covid19 ([link removed]) #CoronaVirus ([link removed]) Details at: go.nps.gov/20013 ([link removed])
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