The Bureau of Land Management Acid Rock Drainage Policy an Evolution in Environmental Protection

Abstract

In the late 1980's the Bureau of Land Management came under scrutiny from the environmental community and our Nation's Congress for lax enforcement of operations conducted under the Nation's Mining Laws. This attention often focused on operations utilizing cyanide in the processing of gold ores. In response to this, the Bureau developed a Cyanide Management Policy and Cyanide Advisory Committee to provide guidance and technical assistance to field offices and advise management on related issues. The Bureau's Cyanide Management Policy was released in August 1990. Later the role of the Committee was expanded to include other technical issues related to hard-rock mineral development. During this time period it became apparent to the Bureau that a policy on acid rock drainage was as important as the cyanide policy. The Committee identified the need to develop a Bureau policy for mines with the potential to develop acid rock drainage. Several mines on Bureau managed public lands are extracting mineral deposits that have the potential for developing acid rock drainage. The Bureau Acid Rock Drainage Policy has several major points: 1. All proposals for surface disturbance must be evaluated for acid rock drainage. 2. Mitigating measures addressing acid rock drainage must be applied. 3. Operations that propose active water treatment of acid rock drainage discharge require financial guarantees for water treatment facilities. 4. All portions of the mine facilities that may contain acid-generating materials are to be bonded for 100 percent of the cost to implement the approved reclamation measures.