As a mom and pediatric health researcher, I urge you to oppose large scale gold mining in Virginia. 

Should this proposal go ahead, the health of our children and communities will be put in jeopardy. Previous mines have left a legacy of mercury pollution along the Gold-Pyrite belt and the lack of updated regulations would prevent similar and even more harmful exposures with new mines. Further, access to clean water is a primary concern for many and much money, effort, and resources have been spent to clean our rivers from past environmental disasters. The potential health and environmental hazards this proposal would bring cannot justify its approval.