Case Studies

From innovative cleanup technologies to unique redevelopment opportunities, EPA is addressing abandoned hardrock mines and mining-related sites using a variety of approaches. Because each mining site is unique, an approach taken at one site may or may not be applicable to another mine site. However, by tracking, discussing, and comparing assessment, community involvement, cleanup, and redevelopment actions taken on a site-by-site basis, we can learn how to apply similar solutions to mining sites across the county.

Site Case Studies

• Anaconda, MT
• ASARCO Smelter, Tacoma, WA
• Central City, CO
• Chalk Creek Watershed, CO
• Cherokee County, KS (PDF) (10 pp, 57 KB, About PDF)
• Coalinga Asbestos, CA
• Copper Basin Mining District, TN (PDF) (7 pp, 669K, About PDF)
• Denver Radium, CO
• Elizabeth Mine, VT (PDF) (10 pp, 899K, About PDF)
• Ely Shoshone Tribe, NV
• Iron Mountain Mine, CA (PDF) (17 pp, 920K, About PDF)
• Kennecott Mining Site (PDF) (17 pp, 1MB, About PDF)
• Leadville, CO (PDF) (10 pp, 1.1MB, About PDF)
• Lefthand Creek Watershed, CO (PDF) (6 pp, 690K, About PDF)
• Midvale Slag (PDF) (18 pp, 1.9MB, About PDF)
• Murray City, UT (PDF) (7 pp, 586K, About PDF)
• National Tunnel Waste Dump/Clay County, CO
• Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area (Clark Tailings and Warm Springs Pond), MT
• Silver Mountain Mine, WA

Applied Technology Case Studies

• Compost/Biosolids Application at Palmerton Zinc Pile, PA (PDF) (9 pp, 977K, About PDF)
• Constructed Wetlands at Copper Basin, TN (PDF) (8 pp, 468K, About PDF)
• Permeable Reactive Barrier at East Helena, MT (PDF) (5 pp, 430K, About PDF)
• Sulfate-Reducing Bioreactor at Leviathan Mine, CA (PDF) (10 pp, 759K, About PDF)