EPA’s analysis considers scenarios of blocked streams, reduced flow of water and removal of wetlands even if there is no failure of environmental protection systems on the mine, but is also considers the effects of four types of mine failures that have occurred with other large mines after they were closed.
These include failure of the tailings impoundment dam, a spill from a slurry pipeline moving concentrates of copper and other metals to a tidewater port, water collection and treatment failures, and problems like failures of culverts on roads.
The assessment also included cumulative effects which could occur if there are other large mines like Pebble that are eventually developed in the region, and it noted exploration activities of other companies in the region at the Groundhog, Big Chunk and Humble prospects.
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