Navajo Nation, New Mexico reach settlements over mine spill
By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press
FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2015, file photo, Dan Bender of the La Plata County Sheriff's Office takes a water sample from the Animas River near Durango, Colo., after the accidental release of an estimated 3 million gallons of waste from the Gold King Mine. The Navajo Nation's Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, has settled with two mining companies to resolve claims stemming from a 2015 spill that sent wastewater downstream from the inactive Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado.
Jerry McBride
FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2015, aerial photo, wastewater streams out of the Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado after a contractor crew hired by the Environmental Protection Agency inadvertently triggered the release of about 3 million gallons of water tainted with heavy metals. The Navajo Nation's Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, it has settled with two mining companies to resolve claims stemming from the 2015 spill that sent wastewater downstream from the inactive Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado.
Geoff Liesik
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation's Department of Justice announced Wednesday it has settled with mining companies to resolve claims stemming from a 2015 spill that resulted in rivers in three western states being fouled with a bright-yellow plume of arsenic, lead and other heavy metals.
Under the settlement with the Navajo Nation, Sunnyside Gold Corp. — a subsidiary of Canada's Kinross Gold — will pay the tribe $10 million.
The spill released 3 million gallons (11 million liters) of wastewater from the inactive Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado. A crew hired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency triggered the spill while trying to excavate the mine opening in preparation for a possible cleanup.
The wastewater made its way into the Animas River and eventually down to the San Juan River, setting off a major response by government agencies, the tribe and private groups.
Water utilities were forced to shut down intake valves and farmers stopped drawing from the rivers as the plume moved downstream.
The tribe said the toxic water coursed through 200 miles (322 kilometers) of river on Navajo lands.
"The Gold King Mine blowout damaged entire communities and ecosystems in the Navajo Nation," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a statement announcing the settlement. "We pledged to hold those who caused or contributed to the blowout responsible, and this settlement is just the beginning."
The tribe's claims against the EPA and its contractors remain pending. About 300 individual tribal members also have claims pending as part of a separate lawsuit.
Nez added: "It is time that the United States fulfills its promise to the Navajo Nation and provides the relief needed for the suffering it has caused the Navajo Nation and its people."
The EPA under the Obama administration had claimed that water quality quickly returned to pre-spill levels.
But New Mexico officials, tribal leaders and others continued to warn about heavy metals collecting in the sediment and getting stirred up each time rain or snowmelt results in runoff.
The state of New Mexico also confirmed Wednesday that it has reached a settlement with the mining companies. Under that agreement, $10 million will be paid to New Mexico for environmental response costs and lost tax revenue and $1 million will go to Office of the Natural Resources Trustee for injuries to New Mexico's natural resources.
Sunnyside Gold Corp. didn't own the Gold King Mine when it was in operation, and it had nothing to do with the waste spill, said Gina Myers, the company's director of reclamation operations.
The settlement was not an admission of liability or wrongdoing, but Sunnyside agreed to it "as a matter of practicality to eliminate the costs and resources needed to continue to defend against ongoing litigation," Myers said in an email.
Sunnyside has worked with local authorities to improve water quality in the region, Myers added.
In August, the U.S. government settled a lawsuit brought by the state of Utah for a fraction of what that state was initially seeking in damages.
In that case, the EPA agreed to fund $3 million in Utah clean water projects and spend $220 million of its own money to clean up abandoned mine sites in Colorado and Utah.
After the spill, the EPA designated the Gold King and 47 other mining sites in the area a Superfund cleanup district. The agency still reviewing options for a broader cleanup.
Precious Metals Industry
Metals And Minerals Industry
Pollution Clean-up
Freshwater Pollution
Gold Mining And Refining
U.S. Government and Politics
President Trump impeached by bipartisan vote for 'incitement of insurrection' in Capitol siege
Donald Trump was impeached for a second time Wednesday, just a week after he encouraged loyalists to "fight like hell" against election results and then a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. The House voted 232-197, with 10 Republicans joining Democrats to rebuke the president.
FBI fears 'insider attack' on inauguration; all troops being vetted
The FBI's massive undertaking to review 25,000 troops underscores fears that some people assigned to protect the city could present a threat to the incoming president and other VIPs. No threats are apparent yet.
Biden unveiling $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan to speed vaccine rollout, steady economy
President-elect Joe Biden is unveiling a $1.9 trillion "American Rescue Plan" Thursday to turn the tide on the pandemic, speeding up the vaccine rollout and providing financial assistance.
GOP congresswoman to introduce articles of impeachment against Biden
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, told Newsmax on Wednesday that she plans to introduce a measure to impeach Biden on his first full day in office next week.
Florida server's hidden sign to boy saves him from abuse, cops say
An Orlando, Florida, server used a sign to secretly communicate with a boy, and police are crediting her with saving him from his abusive parents.
Biden team reconstructing vaccine rollout; governors furious with feds over lack of second doses
President-elect Joe Biden pledged to use the Defense Production Act to maximize the available supply of vaccines, while governors accused the Trump administration of deceiving states about what was available.
Twitter CEO defends Trump ban; McConnell open to Trump conviction; 'Jeopardy' names new guest hosts
Your Thursday morning headlines: Twitter CEO doesn't "celebrate" Trump's removal; McConnell's impeachment position; new guest hosts for "Jeopardy." Get caught up.
When will Americans see the aid from Biden's relief proposal? It's up to Congress
There's a lot that has to happen before Biden's plan — which is chock-full of measures long favored by Democrats — becomes law. Here's a closer look.
Here's what's next after the House impeachment vote ... an explainer
President Donald Trump has been impeached for a second time. Here's what is next as his presidency nears its end and a Senate trial looms.
Senate won't reconvene early for trial; House GOP leader says Trump 'bears responsibility'
AP Top Stories January 18