Water Quality
The potential for long-term water contamination from the newly-created waste piles or an accident at the Mill poses significant risks to the environment, economy and public health. The lack of a robust, evidence-based, long-term plan, CJK's lack of experience handling cyanide and the potential for catastrophic failure raise serious questions about the project's safety and sustainability.
Cyanide: Cyanide use risks unintentional releases into the Arkansas River, threatening its Gold Medal waters. Cyanide is banned in Montana and Wisconsin and many countries worldwide.
Leachate: Exposed tailings will create toxic leachate requiring perpetual monitoring, posing contamination risks if the processing system or liner fails.
Infiltration: Climate change could worsen erosion and infiltration, further impacting water quality.
Waste Management: The project lacks a long-term waste management plan, such as the 250-year management requirement for a Canadian gold mine.
Pollutants: Chemical reactions from acidic water infiltrating the high-pH tailings could generate new pollutants.
Contamination: Catastrophic failure of the tailings deposits could devastate nearby residential wells, contaminate the wastewater treatment facility, the Arkansas River and harm the environment in our region for years into the future.