The demand for copper is increasing and this means more mining. The mines often pollute water supplies, and they don't take responsibility for cleaning up mining or pollution.

US mining law is not effective at making those who profited from the mine pay for cleaning up its pollution later. The corporation is likely to go bankrupt as soon as the mine stops producing. I think it would be more effective put an environmental tax on operating a mine, which will cover what the government is likely to have to pay to clean it up later.