Gold Mine Study Published

Recently, in Buckingham County, VA, there has been exploration for gold. A Canadian company has been investigating the viability of establishing a gold mining operation in the County. The exploratory drilling to assess the feasibility set off a fire storm in mining permitting in the County and across the State.  
 
Buckingham County attempted to eliminate the possibility of gold mining in the County by restricting mineral exploration. In addition to Buckingham County’s efforts, members of the General Assembly introduced legislation that called for a Gold Mining Study that restricted the issuance of gold mine permits during the study period.  
 
VTCA does not have any members who mine gold, however, our Aggregate Producer Membership represents the largest segment of the mining industry in the Commonwealth, metal-nonmental minerals. In 2021 there was 73 million tons of metal-nonmetal mineral mines in Virginia, the second closest mined material was coal at 10 million tons. VTCA Aggregate Producer Members account for 91% of all the metal-nonmetal mineral mining in the State.  
 
The aggregate Producers closely watched the gold mining battle in Buckingham County, even testifying to the importance of confidentiality when performing mineral exploration.  
 
In the 2021 General Assembly, the Gold Mining Study bill was passed with the gold mine permit issuance moratorium stripped from the bill. The VA Department of Energy’s Mineral Mining Program was charged with facilitating the “The Potential Impacts of Gold Mining in Virginia“ study.  
 
The report was conducted by National Academies of Science and was published last month.  
 
While the Study focuses on potential impacts of gold mining in Virginia, there are some innuendos that could bring future impacts to all mining in Virginia. Among other indications, the study cites that mineral exploration, specifically core drilling, should be regulated, current reclamation bonding amounts may not be sufficient, more regulatory oversight may be necessary, and mine permitting should include more public involvement and focus on environmental justice.  
 
The report recommendation is: “To protect against the potential impacts of gold mining, the General Assembly and state agencies should update Virginia’s laws and its regulatory framework.”  
 
There is always the possibility when lawmakers become engaged that laws and regulations can be introduced that have widespread impacts and consequences on existing industries. 
 
VTCA will continue to monitor for any legislation or regulatory updates that can impact our Aggregate Producer community.