RE:Quote from Robert Ross on the Idaho Maryland Gold Mine
The fear is only natural, but my hope is that parties on both sides of this issue will put their trust in the environmental experts and look for solutions to any potential issues. Mining in general has a dark past (and present in certain jurisdictions) and it takes time for the general community to catch up to the fact that regulations particularly in California have improved dramatically. For example any water that is discharged back into the river must meet potable water standards aka drinking water, so concerns about damaging the river's ecosystem are likely unfounded.
Underground mining is generally much more environmentally friendly than open pit mining for a long list of reasons, and rather than focus on the philsophical debate on whether the world needs another gold mine I think it makes more sense to look at the potential positive and negative impacts of such a project. This project will not just bring 300+ new high paying jobs, but the spin off benefits will be substantial whether it is increased traffic to local shops and restaurants, hotel bookings or the local welder who's shop gets a contract to work on the mine's equipment for example. I don't think these positives should be so quickly dismissed, but looking at issues such as noise, water quality, wells etc also needs to be carefully reviewed. This is the purpose of the environment permitting process that is nearing completion.
Let's reserve judgement until we see the results of the environmental report and my hope is that this project can be brought forward in a responsible fashion that benefits both the shareholders and the community at large. I think it is possible!