47,000 dangerous abandoned mines in California

[SoCalDem]

When these mines were being worked, 75-100 years ago, they were in wilderness areas..

Apparently California's "budget" to see to these hazards? $125,000.

Children stumble into these, curious teens "explore" them (and die doing it)..they can look like a cave a hole or a pit.

And more and more housing developments are being built near these things..

Learn more at:
http://www.californiaconnected.org/tv/archives/166


There are more than 47,000 abandoned mines across the state, many abandoned long before regulations were put in place. Now, as California’s rapid growth expands into foothills, more and more mines that were once remote are now closer to population centers.

The state Department of Conservation’s Abandoned Mine Unit has inspected 2,300 of these sites over the past nine years. Those that pose the greatest dangers are given top priority for mitigation projects - such as backfilling, bat-friendly gates or even polyurethane plugs.

Tragically, injuries and accidents at abandoned mines are still happening across the state. In March 2006, a 41 year-old man fell to his death down a steep incline while exploring an abandoned mine shaft in San Bernardino County with his son.

If you come across an abandoned mine, do not go in. Instead report it by calling the Dept. of Conservation’s toll free hotline: 1-877-OLD-MINE.

[Cleita]

1. Not only California, but Nevada, Idaho and Montana.

Little is done to put signs marking them as dangerous.

[MazeRat7]

2. and Colorado, New Mexico, even west Texas....

I don't think I've ever looked as a USGS topo map for any of those states that doesn't have several in the 7.5' grid.

MZr7

[SoCalDem]

3. Resources pulled out of the earth a century ago, the profits put into

private bank accounts, and now we all have tp bear the brunt of the costs to clean up the messes they left behind..

kind of like now..

"public" wealth/resources exploited by private interests, for their financial benefit..and the public gets stuck with the bill when we find out where they hid their waste..