Save the Smith River from Acid Mine Drainage

Save the Smith River from Acid Mine Drainage

For my first blog post, I have chosen the topic of the proposed copper mine near the headwaters of the famed Smith River. This is a very serious situation which can have an impact on not only the local population but the state of Montana. The Culprit? Acid mine drainage.

What is Acid Mine Drainage?

Acid mine drainage is a terrible problem which can have permanent effects on a perfectly healthy stream, river or any body of water. Acid mine drainage occurs during the mining process when sulfide minerals are exposed to air and water. When the sulfide minerals are exposed to air and or water, sulfuric acid is formed then leaked into the waterways resulting in acid mine drainage.

Acid mine drainage can have lasting effects on a waterway or can ultimately damage the waterway forever depending on the severity of the drainage. The main problem is sulfide minerals which are primarily found in metal mines where the target product is precious metals such as copper, gold and silver. These mines are typically rich in sulfuric minerals.

Acid mine drainage has a severe impact on wildlife such as all kinds of fish species, macroinvertebrates, plants, water birds, reptile species and amphibian species. Essentially if the species depends on the effected waterway to live, they’re going to be effected by the drainage. This is because the toxins released can lower the pH to 4 which is the same pH as battery acid, and I don’t think many things can live in battery acid.

The Smith River

The Smith River, is an extremely well known recreational river, famous for its large population of wild rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Located in the west central region of Montana this river is a bucket list waterway for many dedicated fly fishermen. The Smith River headwater is located in White Sulphur Springs, Montana and stretches for nearly 100 miles where the river then connects to the Missouri river.

The Smith River is not only a destination gemstone for fly fishermen. Many people visit the river for different purposes, some people come for the many hiking and biking opportunities, some people just come to take in the natural beauty of the sheer limestone cliffs which border the river’s edge which extend for many miles. There are many other recreational activities which cause people to gather at the Smith River.

The Smith River vs. Tintina Resources

The future of the Smith River is still up in the air. Tintina Resources is a mining company based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Tintina Resources has proposed a large scale copper mine in White Sulphur Springs, Montana which also happens to be the location of the headwaters of the famed Smith River. Copper being the target metal means mining in an area rich in sulfide minerals which means these minerals will be exposed to water and air therefore causing the huge threat of acid mine drainage.

The Smith River alone has a huge impact on the economy of the state of Montana through the recreational activities and tourism the river brings to the state. The fishing industry alone generates around $10 million a year, this doesn’t include guided float trips, rafting, kayaking and canoeing.

The Smith River and its tributaries are very important to many fish species, primarily trout, as they act as spawning grounds for these fish species. If the water becomes contaminated the fish will not be able to spawn therefore greatly hurting the wild fish population which is a key piece to the river.

                                                                                             

Save Our Smith

“Save Our Smith” this is a trending phrase being used by a group of people who are actively trying to protect the Smith River from the proposed large scale mining operation. These people are spreading the word on how the mine will produce acid mine drainage which will then leak into the river and permanently destroy the river. The website http://www.saveoursmith.com/ was created by this group of people so the public can get a better understanding of the issue and why the Smith River is so important to the state of Montana. On this website is a petition which will be presented to the governor of Montana. Every signature counts. Don’t let this beautiful, unspoiled river become a lifeless wasteland.

Work Cited

Images:

1.      http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000_ahTPd5C5JE/s/600/600/acid-mine-drainage.jpg

2.      http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/20171980.jpg

3.
     

http://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/sites/default/files/p6260139_steve_l_myles_smith_river_montana_copyright-duan_e_radford_.jpg

   

Sources:

1.      Johnson, D. 2016. Save Our Smith. <http://saveoursmith.com>. Accessed 2 March 2017

2.      Thomas-Blate, J. 2016. Smith River Copper Mine not Worth the Risk. <http://americanrivers.org>. Accessed 2 March 2017

3.      EarthWorks. ND. Acid Mine Drainage. <http://earthworksaction.org>. Accessed 2 March 2017

4.      Big Sky Fishing. 2017. The Smith River. <http://Bigskyfishing.com>. Accessed 2 March 2017