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New anti-pollution rules for abandoned Mines
24/06/1998
Operators intending to abandon mines will have to give six months' notice under new regulations announced today by Scottish Environment Minister Lord Sewel.
The regulations, which come into force from July 1998, are designed to prevent future water pollution from abandoned mines. Operators will also have to tell the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) how they propose to prevent or treat any water pollution.
In addition, the legislation will:
· ensure details of arrangements are published in at least one newspaper and are available for public inspection at regional offices of SEPA.
· provide mine operators with enough time to put in place the necessary steps to avoid a criminal liability for failing to notify SEPA of a proposed abandonment;
· ensure mine operators include their opinion of the consequences of the proposed abandonment in their notice; and
allow variations on the timing where abandonment follows an emergency.
BACKGROUND
1. The Mines (Notice of Abandonment) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 have been introduced following the consultation document issued in November 1997 to a wide range of environmental and relevant business organisations. Copies of the responses received are available from the Scottish Office Agriculture Environment and Fisheries Department's library.
2. The regulations have the same effect as parallel regulations laid on 1 April 1998 by DETR and Welsh Office Ministers. Copies are available from Stationary Office bookshops.
News Release: 1310/98
June 24, 1998