Through this agreement, ASMI will contract local companies to complete the required work on the mines. McCracken indicated they have recently closed six mines, securing them with either fences or back-filled closed shafts. Before a mine can be closed, however, McCracken says their office must do a thorough investigation of the altering of the site. They investigate effects on wildlife, cultural properties, historical and architectural interests, and endangered species potential. They also look for hazardous waste before closing the mine.
Many environmentalists consider mining as rape of the Arizona landscape.
McCracken likens the mining industry to deforestation in other states, but there is a silver lining. In fact, they are home to the Mexican long-nose bat, the only known pollinator of the saguaro cactus. McCracken says people don't realize that bats only produce offspring every one or two years and have a life span of 30 years. Bats are commonly maligned and accused of spreading rabies. However, the major problems with rabies exist with coyotes and skunks, not bats.