Mining

On Monday, a trial court in Ecuador handed down what may be the largest environmental damages award in history: $8.6 billion against California-based Chevron Corp.  The lawsuit was filed in 1993 by local farmers and indigenous groups, alleging extensive contamination of surface waters in the Lago Agrio area of the Amazon rainforest.  Despite the award, it is far from certain that Chevron will ever legally be required to pay anything to the plaintiffs in this case. read more

On Dec. 20, the ADEQ issued two new multi-sector general permits (MSGPs) for stormwater discharges regulated under the Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AZPDES).  The new MSGP 2010 for non-mining industrial activity applies to twenty-five specific industrial sectors as well as a sector reserved for any additional discharges designated by the ADEQ as appropriate for coverage in the future.  The MSGP 2010 for mining activity covers four specific sectors within the mineral industry.  The new permits become effective Feb. 1, 2011 and are valid for a term of five years from that date. read more

On Monday, November 15, 2010, the US Supreme Court denied cert to hear a last minute challenge to Hydro Resources Inc.'s Nuclear Regulatory Commission license to mine uranium in northwestern New Mexico near Church Rock.  The permit would allow Hydro Resources to leach-mine uranium.  Challengers had challenged the license after the US 10th Circuit denied a request for rehearing in September.  Opponents will continue to mount efforts at the state level, since certain permits will still be required from the New Mexico Environmental Department and other state agencies.  Major concerns have been raised concerning potential groundwater contamination. read more

Plans to bury America's nuclear waste inside Nevada's Yucca Mountain, a project that has long been the subject of environmental and political opposition, appear to be coming to an end. Funding for the nuclear waste site has been eliminated in President Obama's budget proposal released Monday. The Department of Energy also seeks to eliminate Yucca as an option, filing paperwork to suspend licensing for the site. read more