Pikes Peak Group

Rocky Mountain Chapter

Sierra Club Pikes Peak Group Mining Conservation Committee

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed on linked pages are those of the respective author(s) or groups and may not reflect Sierra Club Pikes Peak Group policy. The links are provided for research by PPG members and interested parties.

Mining Subcommittee Position Statement

Recognizing that mining is, in most cases, a required activity supporting human activities, the Mining Subcommittee of the Pikes Peak Group (PPG) desires mineral extraction activities to create as little an impact to both the natural environment and surrounding human activities as possible. Due to the high potential of pollutant releases from mineral extraction processes, those activities must be monitored and enforceable safeguards must be used to prevent "excessive" pollution. Further, environmental problems must be remediated, and continued violations should be addressed with fines, or even operation shutdowns. During the mineral extraction process, regulatory agencies and the extraction operators must remain cognizant of the operation’s impacts, including, but not limited to:

+ water pollution (above and below ground),

+ air pollution,

+ revegetation (performed during different mining phases),

+ landform changes, and

+ health risks to wildlife and the local human population, and

+ economic changes affecting nearby residents.

Finally, regulatory agencies and the mineral extraction companies must also recognize long-term impacts to the environment, so it is necessary for those entities to be responsible to the environment and local citizens many years after extraction activities have been completed. Starting from these basic tenets, the Mining Subcommittee of the PPG continues its citizen-sponsored efforts to evaluate local mining and extraction operations, and as problems are identified, to advocate and promote change to the extraction companies and the government regulatory agencies. If those entities are found not to be responsible in advocating and promoting what are deemed to be necessary changes, it is our duty as citizens to then use the various media to present the problem(s) to the public for community review.

Regarding open pit / heap leach mining, current 21st century technology is insufficient to prevent pollution with toxic elements / compounds in the near-term, as seen in all such Colorado operations this last decade. Further, open pit / heap leach mining will not prevent more long-term toxic pollution unless expensive and long-term actions were to be designed, properly bonded, and initiated, by mining companies. Including the negative effects on wildlife and flora, and economic uncertainties placed on communities near such large mining operations, we understand open pit / heap leach mining to be an “invalid technology”. There are simply too many known - and unknown - negative environmental consequences for open pit / heap leach mining to be safely promoted, or expanded, in Colorado - or anywhere in the world.

Background and History Pages

B.Quarrying - Detail page under construction

Mining and Quarrying Information

Committee Campaign Pages

B. Continuing review of pollution from the El Paso Gold Mine (located between Victor and Cripple Creek). More information.

C. Continuing review of pollution, local impacts, and effects on local wildlife (including a mating pair of rare Mexican Spotted Owls) from the Red Canyon Quarry (located in Fremont County, off State Highway 115 south of Colorado Springs). More information.

D. Status monitoring of the three quarries immediately to the west of Colorado Springs, including the "Queens Canyon Quarry", "Pikeview Quarry", and "Snyder Quarry". More information.

Government Conservation and Regulatory Agencies

County, Regional Agencies

State Agencies

National and Other State Agencies

Allied Conservation Groups

Media and Related Resource Links

Industry Links

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