Advertisement

U.S. clears way for cleanup of Colorado mine after huge spill

Water flows through a series of retention ponds built to contain and filter out heavy metals and chemicals from the Gold King Mine chemical accident outside Silverton, Colo., on Aug. 14, 2015.
(Brennan Linsley / Associated Press)
Share

A Colorado mine that spilled 3 million gallons of contaminated wastewater into rivers in three Western states has been designated a Superfund site.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action Wednesday clears the way for a multimillion-dollar federal cleanup of the Gold King Mine and 47 other nearby mining-related sites.

The EPA also added nine other sites in eight states and Puerto Rico to the Superfund list.

Advertisement

A federal crew inadvertently triggered the Colorado spill during preliminary cleanup work at the inactive mine in August 2015, tainting rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

The spill released metals including arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc.

The Superfund designation comes after months of negotiations with southwestern Colorado residents, who feared it could dampen the region’s vital tourism industry.

ALSO

The states with the biggest Obamacare struggles spent years undermining the law

Ferguson protester Darren Seals found shot dead in burning vehicle

Advertisement

After months behind bars, the face of the armed Oregon occupation goes on trial

Advertisement