Good mine closure and environmental plans are important. They should form part of the Environmental Impact Assessments prepared by the company and financial bonds should be posted to cover these costs in the event that the company goes bankrupt. Yet even when mine sites have been 'restored' and vegetation planted, Aboriginal community members have been told that they should not drink the water or eat the fish or wildlife from the area due to ongoing problems of contamination.
23 June 2005, 4:39pm EDT