SITE DESCRIPTION
The Annapolis Lead Mine (ALM) operated between the years of 1919 and 1940. Mining activities at the site included the excavation of ore bodies, the crushing and concentrating of ore and storage of the concentrated metals prior to off-site shipment for smelting. The crushing and concentrating wastes (tailings), were disposed on the surface of the property within a ravine that is a tributary of Sutton Branch Creek. The resulting pile of tailings still exists and occupies approximately 10 acres of the site. It has been estimated that 1,173,000 tons of tailings were deposited in the tailings pile area during the period of mining operations. The site is located approximately one mile east-northeast of Annapolis, Missouri, along Iron County Road number 138 which is also known as Walnut Hollow Road.
THREAT
Abandoned mine waste piles in Missouri's old "Lead Belt" have been known to retain measurable amounts of lead, antimony, cadmium, cobalt, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, nickel, silver and thallium. Some of these metals can exist at concentrations that are considered toxic to humans and the environment. The tailings pile at the ALM site contains elevated levels of metals including lead and cadmium. The potential for exposure through direct contact with the pile exists. Additionally, the ALM tailings pile lies in a valley which catches rainwater runnoff from the surrounding hills. Therefore, erosion is a major problem at the site. Many tons of contaminated lead mine tailings have washed downstream. This migration of contaminants will continue to occur until the tailings pile is stabilized.
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
a) 1992 Preliminary Assessment
In September of 1992, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) collected water and sediment samples downstream of the ravine that drains the tailings pile. Analysis of the samples demonstrated that elevated levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, nickel and copper exist in the sediments of the receiving stream, Sutton Branch Creek. The site was subsequently forwarded to the U.S. Environmental Potection Agency (EPA) as a potential hazardous waste site.
b)1996 Screening Site Inspection (SSI)
In June 1996, the EPA completed a SSI at the ALM site. The SSI focused primarily on evaluating the site in accordance with the National Hazardous Ranking System HRS). Analysis of soil samples taken during the SSI revealed elevated levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and thallium The SSI recommended that an Expanded Site Inspection be performed due to an observed release of hazardous materials to the surface waters and soils at the site.
c) 1997 Emergency Response
In March of 1997, the EPA collected groundwater and interior dust wipe samples in support of an emergency response that occurred at the ALM site.
d) 1999 Expanded Site Inspection and Removal Assessment (ESI/RA)
An ESI/RA was completed by the EPA in February of 1999. The ESI/RA focused on documenting the extent of metals contamination across the site and in the stream receiving site runoff. It was determined that sediment migrating from the site was impacting waterbodies downgradient of the site. The ESI/RA also estimated the amount of lead-contaminated tailings, chat, and soil (above 500 ppm) at 51,677 cubic-yards. Much of this volume is located in the tailings pile which is estimated to contain approximately 39,000 cubic-yards of mining waste.
e) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Studies
Fish downstream from the ALM site in Big Creek were evaluated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in two studies; one completed in 1993, the other in 1997. Cumulatively, these studies revealed that lead and cadmium concentrations are elevated in fish found in Big Creek. They also suggest that the ALM site is a source for the lead contamination found in Big Creek.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
A removal action has been completed at the site. The action stabilized and capped the tailings pile that exists on-site. At the same time, areas of elevated lead levels around former mining operations were excavated and consolidated into the tailings impoundment. A Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study is being conducted to evaluate the need for future cleanup activities.
If you have any questions about the Annapolis Lead Mine site, please contact on-scene coordinator (OSC) Doug Ferguson at 1-800-223-0425.
