Acidic drainage is recognized as the largest environmental liability facing the mining industry and, to a lesser extent, the public through abandoned mines. MEND was implemented to develop and apply new technologies to prevent and control acidic drainage. Tremendous progress has been made. The target is for new mines to open without long-term concerns about acidic drainage upon closure.

The following quote received at ICARD summarizes the MEND program very well:

"MEND has focussed the acidic drainage effort, so that now we have a whole series of good options in our toolbox. Without you guys, we would be all over the place."