Proposed Minn. underground mine could affect groundwater -- scientists

摘要

A proposed underground copper mine near Ely, Minn., could have serious ecological consequences for lakes, rivers and groundwater, scientists say. A report by researchers studying the impacts of the proposed Two Metals mine found that water running over waste rock and through the mine's tailings basin could become acidic and leach toxic metals into waterways, said Nevada-based hydrologist Tom Myers. The study was commissioned by the groups Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness and Save the Boundary Waters. The water eventually flows north through Voyageurs National Park and into Canada.