The mining company used a cyanide-and-mercury based process to extract gold from the ore, and combined with the extraction of large volumes of rock ore, heavy metals such as arsenic were released into the surrounding water and soil, according to the lawsuit.
Certain forms of arsenic are a known carcinogen and chronic exposure to the element can result in multiple human health hazards.
“The contamination left behind at Empire Mine Park by Newmont poses a substantial risk of harm to the environment and human health,” the lawsuit states.
http://www.theunion.com/article/20120717/BREAKINGNEWS/120719776/1053&parentprofile=1053
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