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Brushy Creek Mine Tailings Release

 
Site Contact:
Heath Smith
OSC

(smith.heath@epa.gov)

Site Location:
HWY KK EAST OF
BUNKER, MO 63629
 response.epa.gov/brushycreekmine
NRC#: 970127

On March 15, 2011, the Doe Run Company (Doe Run) reported a release of mine tailings from the Brushy Creek Lead Mine Tailings impoundment to an un-named tributary of Bill’s Creek in rural northwest Reynolds County, Mo. Approximately one ton of mine waste was reported to be released. Upon discovery, Doe Run began reclaiming the released lead mine tailings from the un-named tributary and incorporating the material back into the Brushy Creek Lead Mine Tailings impoundment.


Church at foot of Mine Tailings Dam NPDES Outfall 001 Brushy Creek Mine Discharge Point of Release -- Taken from County Road 908 Tailings in the un-nammed tributary of Bills Creek downstream from the release. Crews working to reclaim the released mine waste Area near the top of the tailings impoundment dam where storm water flowed onto the tailings causing the release. Dirt berm to left of photo is reclaimed material Sign at entrance to Brushy Creek Mine and Mill Confluence of the unnamed tributary and Bills Creek persepctive 1 Confluence of the unnamed tributary and Bills Creek persepctive 2 Photo of the unnamed tributary after the removal looking downstream Unnamed tributary post-removal looking upstream Taken from County Road 908 looking down stream at the unnamed tributary Berm Constructed just upstream of County Road 908, downstram of the seep pond at the toe of the tailings dam photo taken upstream of the berm between the newly constructed diversion ditch and county road 908 Newly constructed diversion ditch. Photo taken from the tailings dam step about 3/4 of the way up the dam Photo taken just downstream of the diversion berm. Illustration of the material used to construct the diversion berm as well as a low spot near the step of the tailings dam Storm water runoff that crosses a facility road. The storm water is not diverted into the seep basin by the diversion berm. It runs offsite. Outflow from the storm water runnoff ditch leading off-site. Appearance of mine tailings present at this location Storm water runnoff ditch looking towards tailings dam Storm water ditch originating inside facility road Storage area for reclaimed soil from the removal
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.