Abstract
During the past 7 to 8 years, the Colorado Tailings have been the site of numerous studies on potential heavy metal contribution to Silver Bow Creek (SBC).
Three years ago the Montana Department of State Lands-Abandoned Mine Lands Bureau (DSL-AML) initiated, through the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG), a study of reclamation and removal alternatives for this site. Since that time the tailings have received increased interest with the placement of SBC on the Environmental. Protection Agency's Superfund.
Numerous studies predate the ongoing Superfund and MBMG studies, with contradictory results. Loading rates in SBC have been reported to vary from 0 to 36 lb/day for copper and 300 to 320 lb/day for zinc from above to below the tailings (4). Since the initiation of the MBMG study, numerous changes have taken place upstream which complicate comparisons with historic data; those being the Anaconda Minerals Company zero discharge for the Weed Concentrator and the suspension of mining in Butte.
Results from the MBMG study show a substantial degradation of ground water quality from outside (upgradient) of the tailings through the tailings, as do surface water results, but to a lesser degree, from above to below the tailings.1
Start Date
19-4-1985 12:00 AM
End Date
19-4-1985 12:00 AM
Document Type
Presentation
Hydrology of the Colorado Tailings Area, Butte, MT
During the past 7 to 8 years, the Colorado Tailings have been the site of numerous studies on potential heavy metal contribution to Silver Bow Creek (SBC).
Three years ago the Montana Department of State Lands-Abandoned Mine Lands Bureau (DSL-AML) initiated, through the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG), a study of reclamation and removal alternatives for this site. Since that time the tailings have received increased interest with the placement of SBC on the Environmental. Protection Agency's Superfund.
Numerous studies predate the ongoing Superfund and MBMG studies, with contradictory results. Loading rates in SBC have been reported to vary from 0 to 36 lb/day for copper and 300 to 320 lb/day for zinc from above to below the tailings (4). Since the initiation of the MBMG study, numerous changes have taken place upstream which complicate comparisons with historic data; those being the Anaconda Minerals Company zero discharge for the Weed Concentrator and the suspension of mining in Butte.
Results from the MBMG study show a substantial degradation of ground water quality from outside (upgradient) of the tailings through the tailings, as do surface water results, but to a lesser degree, from above to below the tailings.1