Phosphate Mining
Phosphate Mining

Author: U.s. Government Accountability Office

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2017-08-03

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 9781974228294

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" For over 100 years in the United States, phosphate has been mined on federal land primarily for use in fertilizer and herbicides. The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for leasing and overseeing such mines on federal land. In 1996, selenium contamination from phosphate mines was discovered in Idaho, threatening the health of livestock and wildlife. Mines in the area are now being assessed for cleanup under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund program. Agencies may require mine operators to post financial assurances, which are usually in the form of a bond, to ensure they meet their leasing and cleanup obligations. GAO was asked to determine the (1) extent to which federal oversight for phosphate operations has changed since 1996; (2) actions federal agencies and mine operators have taken to address contamination, amounts spent to date, and estimated remaining costs; and (3) types and amounts of financial assurances in place for phosphate-mining operations. GAO reviewed agency data and documents, and interviewed key agency and mine operator officials. "

Phosphate Mining
Phosphate Mining

Author: Anu K. Mittal

Publisher:

Published: 2012-04-02

Total Pages: 67

ISBN-13: 9781457834110

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For over 100 years in the U.S., phosphate has been mined on federal land primarily for use in fertilizer and herbicides. In 1996, selenium contamination from phosphate mines was discovered in Idaho, threatening the health of livestock and wildlife. Mines in the area are now being assessed for cleanup under the EPA's Superfund program. This report determined the (1) extent to which federal oversight for phosphate operations has changed since 1996; (2) actions federal agencies and mine operators have taken to address contamination, amounts spent to date, and estimated remaining costs; and (3) types and amounts of financial assurances in place for phosphate-mining operations. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Phosphate Mining: Oversight Has Strengthened, But Financial Assurances and Coordination Still Need Improvement
Phosphate Mining: Oversight Has Strengthened, But Financial Assurances and Coordination Still Need Improvement

Author: United States. Government Accountability Office

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2013-08-12

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 9781491298398

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Phosphate is used in the manufacture of a variety of products, including toothpaste, soft drinks, and dishwashing and laundry detergents. Over 95 percent of the phosphate produced in the United States, however, is used in the manufacture of fertilizers and animal feed supplements. This section provides information on phosphate mining in Idaho, the phosphate-leasing process, the mine plan approval process, the Clean Water Act permitting process, and the CERCLA assessment and remediation process.