EPA orders Jipangu to pay $105,000 for report violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Jipangu International to pay a $105,000 fine and correct reporting violations at its Florida Canyon Mine and Standard Gold Mine processing facility in Nevada.

The mining operation near Imlay, in Pershing County, failed to correctly report toxic chemical releases such as cyanide compounds used to extract gold from the ore and other waste management activities, EPA inspectors determined.

"The chemicals used at the Florida Canyon Mine and Standard Gold Mine facility have the potential to pose a danger to employees, the surrounding community and the environment," EPA's Pacific Southwest regional administrator Jared Blumenfeld said Wednesday .

Metal ore mining accounts for 97 percent of total toxic inventory releases reported to EPA in Nevada. The Jipangu mine produces up to 1.7 tons of gold annually. Within the next five years, the facility plans to increase production to 15.5 tons a year.