DeLamar Mine in Southwest Idaho Fined $35,000 for Alleged Storm Water Violations

The Kinross DeLamar Mining Co. will pay a $35,000 fine for its failure to implement adequate storm water controls at its DeLamar Mine, according to an order issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA inspectors observed a muddy discharge of water into Cabin Gulch from a clay borrow pit during an inspection in 2009. The water from Cabin Gulch eventually flows into the Owyhee River. The company failed to stabilize exposed areas of the borrow pit to protect against storm water runoff at the Southwest Idaho mine. This was a violation of the EPA Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit. The company immediately fixed the problem after the EPA inspection.

The Multi-Sector General Permit requires numerous industries, including mining companies, to develop and implement a storm water pollution prevention plan to minimize and eliminate storm water runoff that may be contaminated by industrial pollutants.

“Large mining operations need to be proactive when it comes to minimizing the impact of storm water discharges to nearby waterways,” said James Werntz, director of EPA’s Idaho office. “We will enforce federal regulations to keep Idaho’s waters safe from pollution.”

The DeLamar Mine is an inactive open pit gold mine. The 2,014-acre site is currently undergoing reclamation. The Reno, Nev.-based company has taken measures to correct the problems identified by EPA inspectors.

Source: U.S. EPA