PPT Slide
1) Mining companies are required to comply with all environmental requirements. Some mining companies choose to exceed them.
2) Environmental regulations do not always correspond with risk. They often address unrealistic or unnecessary levels of risk.
3) Federal laws are more reflective of public perception of risk than of scientific understanding of risk.
4) Changes to environmental laws have increased exponentially. - +2,000 changes (1970-1975), +90,000 changes (1991-1995).
- Keeping up with so many changes requires many people and increases cost (what was acceptable work practice 6 months ago may not be acceptable today.
5) Rising costs to meet these regulations are impacting the nation’s ability to develop its mineral resources.