Topography of the area consists of north-south trending hills and valleys. Woodlands surround the mine property. Undeveloped and residential properties border the site's western margin. Site elevations range from approximately 1,000 feet to 1,300 feet above mean sea level. The property consists of two mine tailings piles, one area of waste rock and heap leach piles, two open-cut mines, several adits (horizontal mine entrances), underground shafts and tunnels, ventilation shafts, and several former ore processing buildings. Other on-site structures include those previously used for office space, a shop, a solvent/oil storage shed, an air compressor building, and a garage. The majority of the buildings are in a dilapidated condition. However, one of the buildings on the property is rented for residential purposes, and the garage has been used to store equipment.
The three areas of waste rock, tailings, and heap leach piles (TP-1, TP-2, and TP-3) as well as the North Open Cut are located within the Copperas Brook watershed. The Copperas Brook watershed drains into the West Branch of the Ompompanoosuc River (WBOR), approximately six miles upstream from its confluence with the Ompompanoosuc River, near the Union Village Dam. The Ompompanoosuc River empties into the Connecticut River approximately three miles downstream of the Union Village Dam.
USACE's contractor, Conti Environmental, has completed the regrade of the face of TP-1. Approximately 75,000 CY of tailings were removed as a result of the regrading of the slope of TP-1. The tailings from the regrade were placed on top of TP-1. Re-grading of the top of TP-1 is completed. Contruction of the soil buttress is completed (about 67,000 CY of fill material placed). Site restoration activities within the borrow area and TP-1 are approximately 80% completed.
Return in Spring 2005 to inspect Site restoration work and conduct final punchlist items for completion of the project.
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