Weak mining regulations damaging state's water, economy

Mining also contaminates our water and fisheries with highly toxic mercury. In March, Barrick and Newmont paid $600,000 in penalties for disposal of highly toxic mercury and lead to avoid treatment. Newmont's Twin Creeks Mine was the ninth largest source of mercury air emissions in the U.S, emitting 850 pounds of mercury in 2012. In 2013, the EPA called on Nevada to list an additional 19 streams, lakes, and rivers, to the methyl mercury fish warning list.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife predicts the expansion of just one gold mine, Barrick's Bald Mountain, could decimate nearly one-quarter of the state's mule deer population.
http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/voices/2015/04/16/weak-mining-regulations-damaging-states-water-economy/25894655/