The new Mining disclosure SB 110 is meant to ensure that California residents who move adjacent to mine facilities are aware of their existence and activities prior to their final purchase. The new Mining disclosure is a “right to mine” law, just like the Like a “right to farm” act.
This bill would provide that “no mining activity, operation or facility, or appurtenances thereof, as defined, in operation for more than 3 years, and conducted or maintained for commercial purposes in a manner consistent with proper and accepted customs and standards, shall become a nuisance due to any changed condition in the locality if it was not a nuisance at the time it began, except as specified.”
This legislation attempts to avoid misunderstandings between residents and the mining operations near their homes, as increased urbanization brings communities closer to these historically rural activities. Today, there are 717 active mines or aggregate facilities within the state that produce some of the most important materials in California and are used to build everything from homes to roads. The average Californian uses between six to seven tons of aggregate per year.
“I am pleased that Governor Brown has signed SB 110, which informs Californians whenever they are about to purchase a home near an existing mining operation,” Senator Michael Rubio said. “Traditionally, mines are found far away from most residential communities but, as urbanization has increased over the years, homes have encroached upon those operations and misunderstandings have arisen as a result. In order to avoid any potential ongoing conflicts, SB 110 addresses the need to provide adequate notice that will clearly benefit both new residents and existing mining operations in communities throughout California.”
While we at GeoAssurance have been disclosing Abandoned mines in our environmental report since 2006, this new disclosure is not the same and should not be confused with abandoned mines.
