abandoned mines

A new report shows tens of thousands of abandoned mines dot the U.S., including parts of the Mountain West. Experts say these sites pose pollution threats due to being in areas that are at high risk for flooding.

The Gold King mine spill wasn’t the first big, unexpected release of acidic drainage from the mines near Silverton. Nor was it the last.

The legislation creates a pilot program under the Environmental Protection Agency that allows nonprofits, governments or landowners to clean up old mines without taking on the risk.

This week was the fifth anniversary of the Gold King Mine spill. The disaster ignited hope among observers that the many old and abandoned mines around…