US mine firm pays record $1.8b for cleanup

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WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (AFP): A bankrupt Arizona copper mining firm has paid 1.79 billion dollars for environmental cleanup and restoration in the largest such payout in US history, US federal agencies said Thursday.
The funds, obtained through Asarco's bankruptcy reorganisation, will be used to pay for past and future costs to clean up hazardous mining waste at more than 80 sites in 19 states.
The American Smelting and Refining Company (Asarco), a leading copper producer based in Tucson, will remain liable for any environmental damage at properties it continues to own and operate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the departments of justice, interior and agriculture announced.
Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli hailed what he called an "historic day for the environment and the people affected across the country."
For nearly 110 years, Asarco operated mines, smelters and refineries of copper, lead and other heavy metals. But the company buckled under the weight of heavy cleanup costs at the sites. It continues to operate mines in Arizona and a refinery in Amarillo, Texas.
The federal government received around 776 million dollars to restore over 35 sites, including a lead smelter in Omaha, Nebraska. Lead poisoning is considered particularly toxic for children, and has been linked to learning and behavior disorders as well as hearing loss.
Cleanup work at the Omaha site alone is expected to cost 219 million dollars. Another 436 million will be allocated to the Coeur D'Alene Work Trust to remediate a mine in Idaho.
Of the remaining funds, three trusts received around 261 million for work at 24 sites in 13 states. Another 321 million were paid to 14 different states for environmental settlement obligations at more than 36 sites.