Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Are Conservatives poisoning Canadians?

Three environmental groups are seeking a judicial review of Environment Minister John Baird's actions. Apparently he may have been telling Mining companies to not disclose two types of pollution, mine tailings and waste rock. There is not really much more to mining pollution than these two types.

What is bad about mine tailings and waste rock? Well, here is it list of what tailings can contain depending on the minerals for extraction.

Arsenic
Barite
Calcite
Fluorite
Radioactive materials - Naturally present in many ores
Mercury
Sulfur - Forms many sulfide compounds / pyrites
Cadmium
Hydrocarbons - Introduced by mining and processing equipment (oils & greases)
Cyanide - as both Sodium Cyanide (NaCN) and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN). Leaching agent.
SEX - Sodium Ethyl Xanthate. Floatation agent.
PAX - Potassium Amyl Xanthate. Floatation agent.
MIBC - Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol. Frothing agent.
Sulfamic acid - Cleaning / descaling agent.
Sulfuric acid - Used in large quantities in the PAL process (Pressure Acid Leaching).
Activated Carbon - Used in CIP (Carbon In Pulp) and CIL (Carbon In Leach) processes.
Calcium - Different compounds, introduced as lime to aid in pH control.

Some of you will notice that some of these chemicals are part of the conservatives supposed crackdown on pollutants. Obviously a lie as these chemicals are being piled up near communities. These chemicals leach into the ground/groundwater and always affect those living in the area and as well, wildlife.

This government lies and deceives at every opportunity while presenting a second face to the public. The public are not off the hook on this. This is your country, pay attention to whats going down. Recommend this Post