The tailings ponds at Caselton, near Pioche, NV, cover roughly 100 acres. Many dikes have been damaged or breached. Dead and stressed vegetation have been noted as far as 2 miles downstream. BLM estimates cleanup cost = $11 million.| Photo Credit: GBRW The 1872 Mining Law contains no environmental provisions, and before the 1970s, mining companies were not required to clean up spent mines. According to the Nevada Division of Minerals, 50,000 Nevada mines pose a physical safety hazard. Another 2,000-3,000 mines pose a threat to surface and groundwater resources.
This map shows the location of just 15,000 of Nevada's 100,000 abandoned mines, which must be cleaned up at taxpayers' expense. | Source: NV BLM 
The pit lake at the abandoned Boss mine in Esmeralda County has high concentrations of heavy metals and other contaminants that exceed all of Nevada's water quality criteria and standards. | Photo Credit: GBRW
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