Overview of U.S. EPA's ORD Technical Outreach and Support Activities on Sustainable Mining Applications

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Hardrock mining has played a significant role in the development of economies, consumer products and defense in the United States from the start of industrialization.  Currently, the industry continues to play a critical role in the development of our country.   Mining waste which is generated from both operating and abandoned mining sites continues to be a problem for human health and ecosystems. Much of this waste can be attributed to copper, iron ore, uranium and phosphate mining.  In addition to generated waste rock, mill tailings, smelter slag and associated dump/heap leaching waste and drainage contribute to this environmental impact.  Due to the extent of these problems, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in conjunction with other Federal Agencies including the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Defense (DOD), is continually promoting dialogue and the dissemination of current relevant information on approaches to restoring areas adversely impacted by mining activities.  SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Many organizations are currently involved in developing, evaluating and implementing technologies to assess and remediate impacts from hardrock mining activities.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) has taken the lead in managing several research programs involved with the treatment and/or remediation of mining sites, primarily in the Western Unites States. The goal of this research is to develop a scientific framework for establishing ecosystem restoration potential based upon observed stream ecosystem response to known disturbance gradients; such as those generated from mining sites. This presentation will shed light on the answers to some of the more perplexing questions pertaining to the eco-restoration and reclamation of these impaired sites from information extrapolated from the many technology transfer activities sponsored by EPA’s Office of Research and Development.