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Umpqua Mine

 
Site Contact:
Randy Nattis
On Scene Coordinator

(nattis.randy@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Days Creek, OR 97429
 response.epa.gov/UmpquaMine

The site is located in Douglas County, Oregon, approximately 30 miles southeast of Roseburg, Oregon. The Umpqua Mine focused on the mining, milling, and processing of cinnabar ore to produce mercury. A thermal vaporization/distillation process was used to extract and condense mercury from the ore. During previous investigations in the early 2000s, a significant amount of mining and milling equipment was observed on-site in its original position in varying degrees of disrepair. This appeared to include a rotary furnace, powerhouse area, trestle, ore bins, grizzly, condenser, fuel oil tank and related equipment.


Samplers from ERT locating sample locations using flags. Samples were collected as 5-point composites. Each Aliquot was samples in situ as well as ex situ prior to homogenization. Delivery of rock to be used for access road restoration and other site needs Contaminated soils staged and awaiting load out for disposal. Partial restoration of Powerhouse 4 area - looking up hill Restoration of the road running through the site - looking east Restoration of the lower access road - looking up from the landing area need the former repository area Partial restoration of the lower access road into the Main Processing area 1 Restoration of the lower access road to the Main processing and repository areas Load out of contaminated soils Partial restoration of the MP1 Partial restoration of the Main processing 1 area Partial restoration of the Repository 1 area Partial restoration of the Main processing area Partial restoration of the Powerhouse 1 area partial restoration of the Powerhouse 3 area Load out of contaminated soils. Ex situ sampling support equipment Samples dried and sized and ready for on site analysis. Ex situ / onsite mobile laboratory set up using XRF Confirmation samples being prepared for Ex situ analysis. 20% confirmation samples were sent to an offsite laboratory. AST opened, cleaned and staged ready to be moved to the staging area to be sized and prepared for recycling. Site activities during removal - AST tank removal and chipping of downed trees and bushes. Area of excavation - Repository 1 area - Contaminated soils excavated and covered waiting to be hauled to staging area Area used for access by the excavator to removal contaminated soils from the Powerhouse 5 area Area of excavation - Powerhouse 5 - Excavation completed and awaiting confirmation sampling. AST top being lifted off after being torched / cut open. Removal of AST. Prior to moving, sizing the recycling, the AST needed to be opened and cleaned out. Chipping of downed trees and bushed to be used as erosion control and organic matter for restoration of the site Area of excavation - Main Processing area 2 - Excavation completed and awaiting confirmation sampling. Area of excavation - Main Processing area 2 (MP2)- Establishing the excavation boundary of MP2. Area of excavation - Main Processing area 2 - Excavation contaminated soils as well as an old bring building that was previously demolished and buried. Area of excavation - Repository 1 - Large pieces of metal being moved Area of excavation - Repository 1 - Metal being loaded into the haul truck to be placed in the staging area to be properly sized prior to recycling. Mercury vapor analyzer being used in the Repository 1 area. During the removal activities, the air was being monitored for mercury vapors Area of excavation - Powerhouse 2 Area of excavation - Powerhouse 1 with staged pile for removal- looking northwest Area of excavation - Powerhouse 1 Area of excavation - Powerhouse 1 Area of excavation - Powerhouse 1 - Staged pile for removal Area of excavation - Powerhouse 1 Staging area which will be used for staging metal for recycling Repository of wood and metal Adit creek - the water is supplied from the closed / piped mining adit mining features / large concrete block will remain in place Trespassing / evidence of camping on contaminated soils Mining features and contaminated soils set for removal Ore vault Fuel tank Upper retort bed Upper Adit Red Brick Pile Test Pit 1 Rotary Kiln Discharge end Upper access road to site Fan lines