It’s estimated there are more than a 100,000 abandoned mines in Arizona, but no state or federal agency knows how many are leaking toxic heavy metals into the environment. So KPHO, Meredith’s CBS affiliate in Phoenix, sent its investigative unit to collect samples from six old uranium, lead, silver and copper mines. KPHO’s investigation, Abandoned […]
It’s estimated there are more than a 100,000 abandoned mines in Arizona, but no state or federal agency knows how many are leaking toxic heavy metals into the environment.
So KPHO, Meredith’s CBS affiliate in Phoenix, sent its investigative unit to collect samples from six old uranium, lead, silver and copper mines.
KPHO’s investigation, Abandoned Mine Pollution, won the Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting in large television markets for Region 7, which comprises Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
In some cases, the team had to hike six miles up into the mountains to reach the mines, far outside the reach of cell phones and radios.
“It was one of the most physically demanding, scientifically challenging, and resource-intensive stories I’ve worked on in my 25-year career in TV news,” said Morgan Loew, KPHO’s investigative reporter.
“Everybody on our team played a critical role in getting this investigation to our viewers and readers.”
“They don’t know that there are these toxic mines out there that are potentially impacting their watersheds and their water resources,” said Andrea Neal, Ph.D., president of Blue Ocean Sciences, which conducted the testing for the KPHO investigation.
“The Edward R Murrow award is outstanding recognition of the great work CBS 5 Investigates does every day,” said Ed Munson, KPHO’s general manager.
“Viewers rely on them to speak for those who have no voice for seeking justice and exposing wrongdoing when it is happening.”
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