A federal judge held one of the world's biggest mining companies liable for cleanup costs on the Spokane Reservation in Washington.

Newmont Mining Corp. will share in the cleanup of a mine on the reservation. Dawn Mining Co., a Newmont subsidiary, removed 38 million tons of rock and uranium ore over 27 years.

The Midnite Mine closed in the 1980s. The Spokane Tribe has been worried about pollution leaking into streams, soil and plants and affecting wildlife.

The federal government must also share the costs of the cleanup under the Superfund law. The project could cost $152 million.

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Judge: Mining company liable for pollution at former uranium mine (The Seattle Times 7/16)