Case Study as part of a Web-based
Technical and Regulatory Guidance
Big River Mine Tailings Site
St. Francois County, Missouri
1. Site Information
1.1 Contacts
Greg Bach
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
1730 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Telephone: 573-431-5322
E-mail: [email protected]
Jason Gunter
Environmental Protection Agency Region 7
901 North Fifth Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Telephone: 913-551-7358
E-mail: [email protected]
1.2 Name, Location, and Description
The
Big River Mine Tailings/St. Joe Minerals Corp. site is located in Desloge,
in a former mining region of southeast Missouri known as the “Old Lead Belt.”
This site comprises six large areas of mine waste in this rural region, approximately
110 square miles in size (Figure 1-1). The areas included are the Bonne Terre
Mine Tailings Site, the Leadwood Mine Tailings Site, the Elvins Mine Tailings
Site, the Federal Mine Tailings Site, the Desloge Mine Tailings Site, and
the National Mine Tailings Site. Also included are the surrounding residential
and recreational areas.
Figure 1-1. Aerial view of the Big River Mine site.
Mining in the area began in the mid-1700s and peaked in 1942 when 197,430 tons of lead was produced. Mining in the area ended in 1972. Approximately 250 million tons of tailings and chat (solid mine waste) was produced from local mills during this time. The residual lead content in the tailings material is about 0.5%; other minerals such as cadmium and zinc are also present. In 1977, heavy rains caused an estimated 50,000 cubic yards of tailings to slump into the Big River. Surface water and various forms of biota in the Big River contain elevated concentrations of lead. Fish in the Big River have shown elevated levels of lead. The state of Missouri advises people not to eat fish from the Big River downstream of this site. In addition, dust created by wind erosion of the mine waste piles contaminates the surrounding area and is a potential hazard to residents. A 1997 human health exposure study by the Missouri Department of Health showed that 17% of the children under seven years old had blood-lead concentrations exceeding the health-based standard of 10 mg/dL.
2. Remedial Action and Technologies
Considering the large volume of solid mine waste left at the site, capping,
covers, and grading represent the most feasible and effective remedial action.
Work begins with a detailed engineering analysis to determine the geotechnical
characteristics (including seismic analysis), concentration of metals, and
local hydrology. Grading specifications are then developed based on the results
of the analysis. Cover material generally consists of blasted, crushed, screened
quarry rock and cover soil. These materials are placed on the solid mine
waste based on the specifications of the engineering design. Generally, rock
is placed on slopes steeper than 4H:1V, and soil is used to cover flat areas.
Seeding of the soil areas ensures the long-term stability of the soils. In
some areas of the site, direct vegetation of solid mine waste will provide
an effective cover. However, the solid mine waste is nutrient poor and requires
a substantial amount of soil amendments to build an organic layer capable
of supporting vegetation.
3. Performance
Effectiveness of the caps and covers are evaluated with regular water sampling
and ambient air monitoring. Water samples are collected both upstream of
and downstream of the site discharge points. Ambient air monitors measure
both lead and dust blowing from the site. Comparison of these results to
the action levels allows for some measurement of success. Additionally, routine
inspections of remediate areas of the site are required to ensure that the
caps and covers remain in place and are not compromised in any way.
4. Costs
Cost of capping, covers, and grading at the site vary depending on specific
conditions at each solid mine waste area. Previous actions range in costs
from $7,000/acre to $95,000/acre with an average cost of $20,000/acre.
Cost of activities at these site are reported as a total:
- Capital: Varies based on specific site conditions.
- Operation and maintenance: Varies based on type of cap or cover.
5. Regulatory
Challenges
Leaving large quantities of solid mine waste in place on site present issues
with long-term stewardship (LTS). LTS can include the use of restrictive
and/or environmental covenants and implementation of a monitoring and maintenance
plan. Restricting site access or allowing continued use of the site for recreational
or industrial purposes poses a unique set of challenges. Due to the size
of these mine waste sites, it is often not feasible to fence or otherwise
block access to the site. Many members of the community do not recognize
that the sites are private property and trespass frequently. Resources are
not available to police to enforce trespassing laws. Off-road vehicular traffic
is of particular concern as the designs of most caps are not intended for
this type of use. In some cases, the final design of the cap is intended
for future use as a recreation area or as an industrial site. Monitoring
and maintenance become the primary regulatory challenge in these instances.
6. Stakeholder Challenges
No information available
7. Other Challenges and Lessons Learned
The Doe Run Company uses biosolids (treated sewage sludge) to increase the
organic matter and nutrients of the mining areas for the establishment of
vegetation. The establishment of vegetation on the tailings areas reduces
the amount of lead-contaminated dust blowing off the piles, which is vital
to the remedy. The biosolids are tested for hazardous substances and applied
at agronomic rates in areas of the piles not susceptible to runoff. The biosolids
provide the substances necessary for vegetation to grow in the nutrient poor
conditions of the tailings; however, public perception over biosolids treatment
has been an ongoing concern. Although the biosolids are being applied in
a safe and legal manner, some members of the public near these piles feel
that the treatment is unnecessary.
8. References
Barr Engineering Company. 2009. Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis
Report—Federal Mine Tailings Site, Park Hills, Missouri (draft). Prepared
for the Doe Run Company.
NewFields, Inc. 2006. Focused Remedial Investigation for Mined Areas in St. Francois County, Missouri. Prepared for the Doe Run Company.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2005. Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis Report for National Mine Tailings Site, Park Hills, Missouri. Prepared by Black and Veatch.
