by A.J. Higgins Maine Public news story Dreams of excavating mineral riches in northern Maine have persisted since the late 1970s, when a geological survey confirmed significant deposits of zinc, copper, silver and lead in the region. Since then, mining companies have had their eyes on the Pickett Mountain area north of Patten, but have Read More
mining pollution
Canadian Mining Firm to Begin Test Drilling on Northern Maine Land
by Anthony Brino The County news story PATTEN, Maine — Wolfden Resources Corp., a Canadian mining company that purchased 6,871 acres north of Patten, plans to begin exploratory drilling to see if the area has enough valuable metals for extraction. On Nov. 16, Thunder Bay, Ontario-based Wolfden Resources completed the $8.5 million purchase of 6,871 Read More
Maine Lawmakers Toughen Mining Rules, Overriding Governor’s Veto
Move likely to preserve state’s long and informal moratorium on digging for metals By Jon Kamp Wall Street Journal news story Lawmakers in Maine have toughened the state’s mining regulations, overriding a veto from Gov. Paul LePage to potentially lengthen the state’s decadeslong, informal moratorium on digging for metals. The new rules, sponsored by a Read More
Legislature Overrides Governor LePage Veto of “An Act to Protect Maine’s Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution” (LD 820)
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful that the Legislature has overridden the governor’s veto of LD 820. Today, the Maine Senate voted unanimously to override the veto, and the House voted 122-21. Members of both parties worked equally hard on the bill during countless hours of work Read More
Maine Enacts the Nation’s Strictest Metal Mining Law
Metal mining is one of the most dangerous industrial endeavors. Maine is a particularly risky place to mine because of the high levels of sulfides in metal deposits here and our rainy and snowy weather. Sulfides in metal deposits become sulfuric acid when exposed to air or water. Maine’s wet springs and snowy winters would Read More
Protect Maine’s Environment from Mining Pollution
Metal mining is one of the most damaging industrial activities conducted anywhere, with a worldwide legacy of environmental contamination. Maine has its own legacy of poor mining at the former Callahan mine in Brooksville. Shuttered 40 years ago, it’s still causing water pollution and has already cost Maine taxpayers more than $8 million in cleanup Read More
Maine House Approves Strict Mining Rules
The margin of victory suggests the bill could have enough support to override a potential veto by Gov. Paul LePage. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill proposing some of the nation’s strictest environmental regulations for mining operations passed the Maine House on Thursday after a lengthy debate Read More
Mining Rule Compromise Sailing for Passage after Maine House Vote
By Michael Shepherd, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A compromise bill that would allow mining in Maine with strict environmental protections sailed easily through the state House of Representatives on Thursday, putting it on a smooth path toward final passage in the Legislature. It could end the five-year struggle over Read More
NRCM Statement on Unanimous Maine Senate Vote for New Protective Mining Law for Maine
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful for today’s unanimous vote in the Maine Senate for a mining bill that will protect Maine’s clean water and taxpayers from the risks of irresponsible mining. “This strong bipartisan bill is the culmination of five years of effort by lawmakers and Read More
