Officials approve Monsanto phosphate mine in Idaho

Federal officials havepeneira vibratoria para britagem usadas approved Monsanto Co.'s plans to expand mining operations in southeast Idaho's phosphate patch after concluding that a $30 million liner and drainage system would adequately protect nearby streams and rivers from selenium and other harmful minerals.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management's decision comes after years of environmental analysis and review of the agricultural company's plans in a region still dealing with the side effects of pollution caused by historic phosphate mining operations. Federal land managers gave final approval last week to the Blackfoot Bridge Mine project, located on a combination of private and public land 10 miles northeast of Soda Springs near the Idaho-Wyoming border and just 600 feet from the Blackfoot River. Two years ago, the federal officials balked at the company's application, citing concerns that selenium - a mineral lethal to animals when consumed at high levels - could leach into the groundwater and streams from the massive pile of waste rock that would accumulate during the 17-year life expectancy of the mine...