Once again, Richard Cook is in violation of a mining permit. He has failed to reclaim a pumice mine in the Jemez Mountains which has closed. The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division is assessing his company $5,000 a day in fines.
What remains to be seen is whether he will actually pay the fine and reclaim the mine. Historically, Mr. Cook has been cited and fined for several violations at his many mining sites. He usually avoids any consequences because he threatens to sue, and since he has more money for lawyers than any regulating agency and the willingness to spend it on them, the government agency usually backs down, leaving him to do whatever he wants.
All of this would be just an interesting little game if it did not result in irreparable damage to the people, the environment and the archeological treasures of northern New Mexico.
Adele E. Zimmermann
Embudo