In 2008 BLM initiated an environmental investigation of the Red Devil Mine site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, known as CERCLA. The investigation, called a Remedial Investigation, includes a Feasibility Study of possible cleanup methods.  You may follow the progress of this investigation via our RDM RI/FS Project Status Web page.

The Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) results will improve our understanding of the physical setting and potential impacts of mine tailings (the leftover material after mercury was extracted) on human health and the environment. Samples will be collected from the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater, and analyzed for metals such as mercury, arsenic, and antimony. Information will also be collected to help us understand how the groundwater flows, how much water moves through Red Devil Creek, and the extent of tailings at the mine site. This information will be used to identify whether metals from the tailings are migrating into the groundwater and surface water, and ultimately into the fish and animals that inhabit the area around the mine site.

To help determine what effects this abandoned mine has on fish within the Kuskokwim River system, BLM has also undertaken a fish tissue and aquatic insects study.  More on this project can be found on our Fish & Aquatic Insects Study page. 

Community involvement and tribal consultation are important parts of the RI/FS process.  BLM has established a community involvement program to keep the public informed about the project and to gain feedback on what we are doing.  To learn more about this effort, visit our Community Involvement & Tribal Consultation page. 

BLM has established an Administrative Record (AR) for the RI/FS. The hard copy AR may be viewed at the Anchorage Field Office Public Room, or accessed online at the Red Devil Mine RI/FS Administrative Record Web page.

The RI/FS is being conducted concurrent with investigation and cleanup of spilled petroleum at the Red Devil Mine following State of Alaska regulations. For more information about these projects, please visit the Red Devil Mine Petroleum Response page.

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This ore sample from the Red Devil Mine contains three metals of concern in their native form. Red mineral is cinnabar (mercury), orange mineral is realgar (arsenic), and silver mineral is stibnite (antimony).