I am concerned about the health hazards posed by waste processing and tailing ponds. They leach, and are likely to spill, contaminating the surrounding land and water sources, posing a certain risk to public health. There are such places above me in the mountain where iron ore was processed 80+ years ago.  Nothing grows there!

Access to clean water is a national concern, very evident in the west at this time.  We do not want our clean Virginia waters to be contaminated by cyanide, mercury, and other chemicals used in the process.

There is a lack of regulatory framework and insufficient bonding requirements in Virginia  for such a large scale operation that is likely to contaminate drinking and recreational water.  Regulations have not been updated since the early 1900s.

Gold mining should not be permitted.  Our water is more valuable.