BLM investigating allegations of oil dumping at mine

Thursday, Feb. 18, 1999 | 9:05 a.m.

But Alta Gold President Robert Pratt said he believes the probe was triggered by a complaint from a disgruntled employee and that no dumping has occurred.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Nevada Department of Environmental Protection are working with a private excavation company to take soil samples at landfill sites in Elko County.

The BLM received complaints that the company disposed of oil barrels at landfills at the Kingsley Mountain Mine, south of Wendover.

Alta Gold also operates the Griffon Mine near Ely and near Olinghouse in Washoe County, 33 miles northeast of Reno.

Robert Posey, a BLM special agent on the case, said he couldn't discuss the origin of the complaint because of the ongoing criminal investigation.

"We received some allegations that there may be some contamination buried out there and what we are doing out here is looking," Posey said.

Alta Gold has a clean environmental record at Kinsley, according to the NDEP's Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation.

"I will be greatly surprised if they find anything," said Pratt, who also is chief executive officer of Alta Gold.

"Basically, it was because a disgruntled employee wrote a letter and said this happened."

The BLM will seek criminal prosecution if there is evidence that Alta Gold committed a "knowing and willful act" by burying oil-filled barrels in the landfill, Posey said.

The company could be assessed a civil fine or ordered to clean up any contamination if there is any sign of accidental dumping, he said.