Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 71 INTERVIEW WITH MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTER WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY PLAYING IN THE MINING- AND EXTRACTION-RELATED INDUSTRIES? As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. Technology is already playing a significant role in mining. Coal mining pollutes air and water. It results in increased global warming. ose impacts are already driving technological advances in the energy sector in the form of improved and less costly renewable energy and better electricity stor- age technologies. Technology has played a role in coal mining and it is leading to its demise. Hardrock mining may be different. Not all technological advances are positive. Open-pit cyanide heap-leach mining is a relatively new tech- nology that has ravaged the landscape in areas across Montana and the globe. Montanans learned the risk of that new technology and have now rightfully banned it. It is likely there will be other technological advances to assist hardrock mining, but we have to be vigilant of the equivalent of "snake-oil salesmen" selling us something that is "new" but not "improved." If enough pressure is put on the mining industry, all new hardrock mines will have to implement dry storage for their tailings facilities and will avoid sulfide ore bodies, which can cause acid mine drainage. IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU EXPECT MINING TO BECOME MORE ENVIRONMEN- TALLY FRIENDLY IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE? e only way real change will come is when the mining industry in- vests more money in research and development for pollution prevention than it does for improved efficiency in mineral extraction. DO YOU FORESEE A TIME WHEN MINING WILL NO LONGER BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF MONTANA'S ECONOMY? Mining already plays a relatively small role in Montana's economy. Montana established the Coal Severance Tax Trust Fund and the Re- source Indemnity Trust Fund to help fund the state after those nonre- newable resources are no longer necessary or available. ese trust funds will continue to add value to the state for years to come—long after the mining of coal or other nonrenewable natural resources has ceased. THE MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL IN- FORMATION CENTER (MEIC) is a non- profit environmental advocate founded in 1973 by Montanans concerned with protecting and restoring Montana's natural environment. Nearly 5,000 individuals in Montana and around the country support MEIC as members, both financially and with their activism. MEIC is known as Montana's environmental "watchdog." It has successfully influenced state and federal agencies for more than four decades, monitoring issues from hard rock mining and coal mining, to standards for fracking, to air and water pollution permits. When all else fails, MEIC utilizes litigation to ensure that environmental laws are complied with. MEIC focuses upon upholding the valuable rights afforded by Montana's Constitution, including the inalienable right to a clean and healthful environment, the right to participate in and know about govern- ment operations, and the right to have all lands disturbed by the taking of natural resources reclaimed. MEIC also has a long history of working with the mass media to raise public awareness and understanding of key environmental issues in Montana. Through writing opinion pieces and making its staff available to the press, MEIC makes sure that critical issues affecting the Montana environment receive the attention they deserve. MEIC provides a nonpar- tisan perspective, and is consistently quoted in a variety of Montana and national newspapers and other media. Finally, MEIC assists individuals and local organizations facing environ- mental problems by providing information, organizing and tactical advice, and technical assistance on Montana environmental issues. MEIC has a very active membership ready to submit comments, attend hearings, and go to public rallies when needed. PLACES LIKE THE PARADISE VALLEY AND EMIGRANT PEAK WILL BE SPARED FROM THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF HARDROCK MINING THROUGH TARGETED MINERAL WITHDRAWALS, SUCH AS THE BILL CURRENTLY BEING PROPOSED BY SENATOR JON TESTER, BUT NOT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC PRESSURE. Sapphire mining in Rock Creek www.distinctlymontana.com/mining181 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL Left to right: Brian Fadie, Jim Jensen, Anne Hedges, and Derf Johnson

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