![]() |
Remediation of Abandoned Mine Lands |
To monitor impacts from mining, water quality and quantity parameters have been monitored by the operators at key locations near mine impacts continuously since at least 1989. A review of these revealed no statistically-significant trends in water quality or quantity at any sampling location. Downstream surface water parameters plotted against time had coefficients of determination (r2) less than 0.16; this was similar to the r2 of upstream surface water parameters. Downstream valley-fill aquifer water parameters plotted against time displayed an increasing trend in water elevation, TDS, conductivity, and some ions; this may be due to localized effects raising the groundwater table into vadose soils with an abundance of salts rather than caused by mining impacts. The r2 values for these trends ranged from 0.41 for conductivity to 0.72 for TDS, indicating a weak correlation. Upstream valley-fill groundwater did not have any trends over the study period. These data indicate that the current regulations governing surface mining as applied at the Colowyo Mine protect human health and the environment from potential impacts caused by mining.
Edward M. Baltzer, CPG, CHMM, Walsh Environmental Scientists & Engineers LLC District manager for an environmental consulting company with 19 years of environmental science and 10 years of geological professional experience. Performs contaminated site assessments, geological investigations, environmental permitting, and related professions. Certified Professional Geologist, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, former chairman LEPC, associate professor. BA - University of Colorado Environmental Engineering. MA - State University of New York, Geological Sciences.