Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

2 huge gold mines paying $591K in fines for Nevada pollution

RENO — The world's two largest gold mining companies have agreed to pay nearly $600,000 in combined penalties in a deal with federal and state environmental regulators in Nevada.

Newmont USA is paying $395,000 and Barrick Goldstrike Mines $196,000 as part of an agreement with the state and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to settle allegations they violated hazardous waste laws with mercury releases dating to 2007.

The companies maintained they didn't break any laws based on the way the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has enforced clean water protections for three decades.

But they agreed to the consent decree after the state and the EPA filed civil complaints in federal court in Reno last month accusing them of illegally disposing of toxic waste without the necessary permit at two mines near Carlin.

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