Katie Whitehead mkwhitehead@yahoo.com
August 21, 2022
Submitted to https://www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/entercomment.cfm?generalnoticeid=2368 and to mike.skiffington@energy.virginia.gov
Questions and Comments Regarding
“ 2. Summarize the Commonwealth of Virginia’s existing regulatory framework for gold mining and processing sites (for example, bonding, reclamation, closure, and long-term monitoring) and compare to other states with current or recently closed gold mining operations. This summary will include a discussion of relevant air and water quality regulations, as well as Chesapeake Bay watershed protections.” https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/potential-impacts-of-gold-mining-in-virginia
(“Before a mine license and permit are issued, applicants must provide suitable operations plans, drainage and sediment control plans, groundwater impact assessments, and reclamation plans for the proposed mine operation.
“Operations plans must describe how the mineral will be mined and processed, and how waste will be disposed of while minimizing the effect on the surrounding environment. Regulations require the operations plan to facilitate integration of reclamation with mining operations according to the special requirements of individual mineral types. Operators are required to conduct mining such that the amount of disturbed acres are minimized, and reclamation is to be conducted simultaneously with mining to the extent feasible. Regulations further require that mining activities must minimize the impact on water quality and quantity.”)