New Dominion Mine
San Miguel County, Colorado
The New Dominion Mine is an abandoned/inactive mine located in San Miguel County, Colorado. The mine, consisting of two separate mine adits and associated waste-rock dumps, is located on public land adjacent to the town of Ophir. Water discharging from the mine adits discharges to a natural wetland area located on private land which ultimately drains into the North Fork of the San Miguel River.
The project involved characterization of the mine waters, material comprising the waste-rock dumps, precipitates deposited along the mine drainage channel, and sediment and vegetation within the wetland area. Characterization results were used to assess general nature and extent of contamination within the sampled media, performance of the wetland in passive treatment of water discharging from the mine, the human-health and ecological risks posed by surface water and waste rock at the mine as well as surface water, sediment, and vegetation within the wetland. Project results are being evaluated to assess the additional actions, if any, required to ensure protection of public health and the environment.
San Miguel County, Colorado
The New Dominion Mine is an abandoned/inactive mine located in San Miguel County, Colorado. The mine, consisting of two separate mine adits and associated waste-rock dumps, is located on public land adjacent to the town of Ophir. Water discharging from the mine adits discharges to a natural wetland area located on private land which ultimately drains into the North Fork of the San Miguel River.
The project involved characterization of the mine waters, material comprising the waste-rock dumps, precipitates deposited along the mine drainage channel, and sediment and vegetation within the wetland area. Characterization results were used to assess general nature and extent of contamination within the sampled media, performance of the wetland in passive treatment of water discharging from the mine, the human-health and ecological risks posed by surface water and waste rock at the mine as well as surface water, sediment, and vegetation within the wetland. Project results are being evaluated to assess the additional actions, if any, required to ensure protection of public health and the environment.