SPOKANE - The parent company of a business that operated the Midnite Mine on the Spokane Indian Reservation has been found liable for part of the cleanup costs.

Under the decision rendered Monday by U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush, Newmont Mining Corp., of Denver, becomes the third party to be held partially liable for cleanup of the Superfund site. The federal government and Dawn Mining Co., owned mostly be Newmont, were held partially responsible earlier.

The open-pit mine, closed since 1981, is the source of radiation, heavy metal and acid contamination in Blue Creek, a tributary of the Columbia River.

Tribal Chairman Greg Abrahamson says the latest ruling is important for the health of tribal members and protection of natural resources.