Do mining companies have to pay to clean up their mines?
Legally, companies are required to clean up their mines although these provisions are often vague. In addition, companies must post a bond in advance of mining to cover the costs of cleanup in the event the company intentionally abandons the mining site, goes bankrupt or is otherwise unable to fulfill its duties. Cleanup costs can exceed $100 million. Historically, however, companies have often disappeared or gone bankrupt and the bond amounts posted have fallen far short of what is required to clean up polluted mine sites (43 CFR 3809.420, 3809.500-599, 36 CFR 228.8, 228.13, Earthworks Pollution 2003, EPA Summitville 2006). Back to top.
