Heavy Metal

For decades, the state of Oregon used mine tailings for road and rail beds, reservoir construction, residential driveway paving, and much more. Little was known about the long-term health and pollution problems that might be associated with the tailings, which contained traces of heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury. Today, the old mines are being cleaned and the contaminated soil encapsulated with geosynthetics and buried. Contaminated soils remain in the towns, though. Oregon is not alone. Soon, many cities may need to recover and safely rebury the mine tailings once thought to be safe. Read about Oregon’s experience in the Register-Guard.