Video spotlight: A good mining steward

Unfortunately, not every large mining company has the ethical backbone to truly be called a "steward" of the resources they pull from the earth, especially when it comes to what's left over when they're done. To wit, the West is pocked by abandoned mines, SuperFund sites and permanent scars that, even many decades after mining ceased, still drip heavy metals into our rivers. 

But, thankfully, that's not the case with Kinross Gold. 

Last summer, Kinross donated its water rights in the headwater streams of the Yellowstone River—some 3 billion gallons annually—to Trout Unlimited. The water will remain in-stream and help combat what's become an unfortunate annual challenge—low, warm water that, during drought years, has proven fatal to native trout and whitefish. And, while they were at it, Kinross helped protect a 550-acre migration corridor for the northern Yellowstone elk herd. Both the water and the land donations are permanent.

Mining in the Mineral Hill area north of Yellowstone National Park started way back in the late 1800s. It's since concluded and Kinross has completed its reclamation and restoration work, and as a steward of the land it mined and the waters it used, the company is doing right by the environment. Check out the video above for more details, including some powerful words from TU's President and CEO Chris Wood. 

— Chris Hunt