Ecology is soliciting model remedy proposals for mine waste piles at abandoned mine lands from qualified persons.
Washington has a legacy of mining activity, and that history has led to thousands of inactive and abandoned mines across the state. Many of these inactive and abandoned mines are ongoing sources of contamination that include high concentrations of toxic metals and metalloids in soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater.
These mine lands present unique challenges and opportunities related to their remediation. While there are some common characteristics (remote locations, heavy metals contamination, surface water pollution, etc.), the scope and scale of individual cleanups can vary drastically from relatively easy relocation of waste rock dumps to an approved waste facility, to the much more complicated construction and operation of water treatment facilities designed to manage acid mine drainage for many years. Mine waste piles are the unwanted by-products left behind after the minerals of interest have been extracted and may pose both physical and environmental hazards.
These include both waste rock (rock containing target minerals in concentrations too low for economic recovery) and tailings (mined material remaining after processing removed the valuable minerals). From our review of applicable mine site cleanups, Ecology has already identified three applicable model remedies. They are:
Any qualified person soliciting a proposed model remedy for Ecology to consider must provide information regarding its applicability for use. It should outline how it meets the site characterization and compliance monitoring required under WAC 173-340-350 and WAC 173-340-410, as well as the cleanup standards and cleanup action requirements in WAC 173-340-360.
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Ecology is soliciting model remedy proposals for mine waste piles at abandoned mine lands from qualified persons.
Washington has a legacy of mining activity, and that history has led to thousands of inactive and abandoned mines across the state. Many of these inactive and abandoned mines are ongoing sources of contamination that include high concentrations of toxic metals and metalloids in soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater.
These mine lands present unique challenges and opportunities related to their remediation. While there are some common characteristics (remote locations, heavy metals contamination, surface water pollution, etc.), the scope and scale of individual cleanups can vary drastically from relatively easy relocation of waste rock dumps to an approved waste facility, to the much more complicated construction and operation of water treatment facilities designed to manage acid mine drainage for many years. Mine waste piles are the unwanted by-products left behind after the minerals of interest have been extracted and may pose both physical and environmental hazards.
These include both waste rock (rock containing target minerals in concentrations too low for economic recovery) and tailings (mined material remaining after processing removed the valuable minerals). From our review of applicable mine site cleanups, Ecology has already identified three applicable model remedies. They are:
1. excavation,
2. capping in place, and
3. consolidation and capping
For more information on the model remedies already identified by Ecology, please see our Draft Model Remedies for Cleanup of Inactive and Abandoned Mine Lands in Washington document, which is out for public comment through May 7, 2024.
Any qualified person soliciting a proposed model remedy for Ecology to consider must provide information regarding its applicability for use. It should outline how it meets the site characterization and compliance monitoring required under WAC 173-340-350 and WAC 173-340-410, as well as the cleanup standards and cleanup action requirements in WAC 173-340-360.
Contact Information
*Indicates Required Fields