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Mine Reclamation
The Chino, Tyrone and Cobre Mines have completed extensive reclamation. Chino and Tyrone have reclaimed over 3,400 acres of tailing ponds and stockpile facilitates since 2004. A detailed engineering design plan for grading, contouring and capping the top and outslopes of tailing ponds and stockpiles with loose rock is approved by New Mexico regulatory agencies. After the grading and capping is complete it is ripped, seeded and monitored. The capping system also called a trans-evaporative cover system has three main purposes: to be erosion resistant, to reduce stormwater infiltration and to support the indigenous flora and fauna.
Extensive reclamation has also been completed at the Cobre Mine, including closure of approximately 83 historic shafts, and reclamation of approximately 150 acres of the Hanover Empire Zinc Mining Area.
View looking toward the west of the partially reclaimed waste rock pile at the Tyrone Mine. NM Highway 90 is in the foreground. Photo taken in October 2008 by Richard Kelley.