Project Case Study: Alaska

The proposed cleanup of the Maclaren Glacier Mine Site was to seek to remove all solid and liquid waste from the site and dispose of at appropriate facilities; excavate and remove potentially contaminated soils that do not meet State inorganic testing requirements; and backfill the exposed mine adit. Cleanup was essential to mitigate further contamination of soils and possible entry of waste products into the Maclaren River. In addition, backfilling the mine adit was needed to remove the risk of human injury or death from a collapsing mine shaft.

Currently all solid and liquid waste products have been removed and contaminated soils have been excavated and landspread to be treated by a bioremediation process and the mine adit has been backfilled. There are no collaborative efforts or partnerships and the watershed is not considered priority by Federal, State, or Tribal governments. Thus far, cost avoidance/cost recovery efforts have been made, however, no recovery or contributions of funds or assistants in cleanup has been identified or obtained.

Currently, all threats to water quality standards have been removed by waste removal and contaminated soil excavation and there is no direct threat to public health or the environment. Until the treated soils meet ADEC cleanup standards, this is still considered an ongoing project and continued funding will be required for monitoring and additional treatment.

Form more information on our Alaska AML Projects, visit the BLM Alaska State Office AML Web site or the BLM Alaska AML Strategic Plan.

Alaska Case Study: Maclaren Glacier Mine

Location

Located on BLM lands, T.19 S., R.6 E., south ½ of section 11, northeast ¾ of section 14, Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska. This land is selected by the state of Alaska. The Maclaren Glacier mine site is located at the terminus of the Maclaren Glacier along the southern flank of the Alaska Range, and at the headwaters of the Maclaren River. Altitudes in the area range from about 3,000 to 8,000 feet. The mountain slopes are steep and the average relief is about 2,000 feet. The main Maclaren River Valley is a typical glacial valley and is wide and flat-floored. The smaller tributary valleys are small glacial valleys with slopes steep enough to produce cascaded and small waterfalls. The mine base camp is situated on glacial till on the outwash plain of the Maclaren Glacier.

Type of Site

The Maclaren Glacier Mine site was a copper mine operated in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, ultimately abandoned in the mid 1960’s. The miners left behind an array of liquid and solid waste including: 3 abandoned vehicles; several 55 gallon drums of waste oil, solvents, jet fuel, and other waste fluids. Also the mine adit was left open increasing the risk of human injury or death from a collapsing mine shaft.

Estimated Cost

$119,000

Start Date

Reclamation began in 2001 with monitoring of soil contaminant levels continuing until 2008.

Abandoned Mine Lands
Maclaren Glacier Mine