SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Forest Service will begin an environmental cleanup of the South Ore Pile and Heap Leach Pile at the Nacimiento Mine located on the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.

The project site is approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Cuba, New Mexico adjacent to State Highway 126. The Nacimiento Mine is an abandoned copper mine that operated from 1970 through 1975. In 1985 the site was developed for in-situ mining which resulted in the contamination of the underlying aquifer. A water treatment plant has been operating for the past 15 years to address the groundwater contamination. 

Past open pit mining activities left behind approximately 100,000 cubic yards of low-grade ore and surface contamination at the South Ore Pile. Williams Express, identified as a Potentially Responsible Party, and their contractor will begin work July 10 to address the surface contamination. Work will include the excavation, removal, consolidation, and capping of material containing elevated levels of copper, construction of drainageways, and installation of erosion control measures. Work is expected to be completed by November 2023.

For additional information, contact New Mexico Statewide On Scene Coordinator Steven McDonald at steven.mcdonald@usda.gov or Assistant Regional Environmental Engineer Hailey Stock at hailey.stock@usda.gov.