SB 60 was introduced by Senator Ricky Hill and Speaker of the House Brian Evans, both members of the US Republican Party. Congressmen have demanded amendments to the Arkansas Data Center Act of 2023 to ensure that mining farms operate away from military bases and camps, as well as from hospitals and clinics. However, the bill will not apply to mining facilities built and put into operation before December 31.
The proposed legislation could affect the Lonoke County mining farm being built near the Little Rock Air Force Base in Cabot. This mining facility is owned by investment company Interstate Holdings, headquartered in Florida. Cabot Mayor Ken Kincade said he received numerous complaints in December from local residents concerned about the loud noise the mining farm would create.
Kincaid agrees that such facilities cause noise pollution, which has negative impacts on people, domestic and wildlife animals, and the environment in general. Senator Hill himself noted that a mining facility located five miles from the air base could create a national security problem.
Interstate Vice President Dustin Curtis opposed the bill, saying his farm would generate far less noise than the nearby highway. Curtis says the mining facility meets all state and federal safety, noise and environmental regulations.
In May, the Joe Biden administration banned Chinese mining company MineOne Partners Ltd from using land near an Air Force base in Wyoming. Later, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren also called foreign mining companies a threat to US security.
Source: Bits
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