Conserving and Protecting Nevada’s Water for the Next 7 Generations!

Nevadans are calling on the mining industry to play their part along with Nevadans to take necessary steps to conserve water!

Water is essential for the health and wellbeing of Nevadans. As the most arid state in the nation, it is vital that everyone do their share to take care of this life-giving natural resource. Surface and groundwater belong to the public, including the water that ultimately accumulates in a mine’s pit lake. 

Nevada will likely have more pit lakes than any other state in the US. These pits consume a huge portion of Nevada's already scarce water resources.

What are pit lakes?

Pit lakes are an artificial water body that form when a mining pit is excavated below the natural water table. During operations groundwater is pumped from within and around the open pit so the operations remain dry. Upon completion of mining, which can be decades long, the pumps are turned off and the groundwater returns to form a pit lake.

Pit lakes are typically lower water quality than the groundwater found in the surrounding area due to chemical reactions with the rock and air and concentrating of salts from evaporation. 

Pit lakes are often fenced off so that people and wildlife cannot access them. That water no longer replenishes springs, streams, or provides nourishment to plants. It makes once valuable groundwater unusable for drinking, growing crops, and sustaining life in our arid state. GBRW estimates that the total volume of water held in pit lakes in NV will be approximately 550 billion gallons, equivalent to 764,758 Olympic swimming pools!

Why Support AB313?

Everyone has the right to live in a clean and healthy environment. Mining pit lakes affect our land, water, and people for generations. For people living near mine sites, pit lakes impact the availability and quality of water in their area. Particularly as mining threatens to increase in Nevada, we need protective legislation now.

Support Native Communities Who Continue to Fight to Protect Water

“The Newe (Shoshone) have a deep cultural and spiritual relationship with water. Water is the life blood of Mother Earth. As one of our sacred elements, water is recognized as a giver of life. We could not survive without it. Our traditional teachings, songs, dances and spiritual ceremonies are steeped in the sacredness and healing powers that water possesses. Water is a natural being, worthy of respect and honor and the interconnectedness it brings to the web of all life. Water is life-sustaining, and that’s important to live a healthy life." - Mary Gibson, Western Shoshone Defense Project

Mining companies are not required to backfill the pit they created, nor are they required to leave the area ready for a post-mining use. This means that they do not currently have to return the water in pit lakes back to the community. New or expanded mine pits must be filled above the water table when mining is completed, or at least ensure that the remaining pit lake water meets a beneficial use.

AB313 will ensure this requirement is created, helping to hold the mining industry accountable to helping conserve more of the water in Nevada.