Read the final report from NASEM regarding the potential impacts of gold mining in Virginia. Or read the Report Highlights.

Read the report produced by the Commonwealth via its State Agency Committy as a part of the overall study of the potential impacts of gold mining in Virginia.

In 2019, a Canadian Junior Mining company called Aston Bay started exploring for gold in Virginia. After they found gold deposits, they expanded their exploration to look for base metals like copper, lead, and zinc. The mining of these base and precious metals is known to carry great risks, especially when it comes to water pollution, and Virginia does not currently have sufficient regulations to protect Virginians from those risks.

Learn more about the metal mining industry in Virginia.

Virginia’s geology includes what is known as the gold-pyrite belt, as well as a base metals belt. Both are of interest to prospectors and exploration companies. Along with the belts, there are old, abandoned mines all over the Commonwealth that could be resurrected by the industry.

Visit maps page.

The mining industry points to mine waste management and reclamation practices as ways to mitigate environmental risk, but mines all over the country and beyond have made it clear that these practices are insufficient.

Read about a 2019 mining disaster that killed hundreds in Brazil.

“According to research published by the prestigious journal Nature, emissions from primary mineral and metal production constituted approximately 10% of the total global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.”

Read about metal mining as it relates to climate change. (Video also available at this link)

(Image by Billy Clouse via Unsplash)