Old timers in the town of Jerome, Arizona, recall when Bitter Creek ran blue, yellow, red, "every color you can think of." Local residents just dismissed this rainbow-of-a-creek with a shrug. Later, a local pilot gave me a photo of yellow effluent running from the mouth of a mine entrance. He was able to see the toxic material from the air but when I tried to drive to the mine entrance, access was closed with a gate and guarded by a big guy with a shotgun.
Colors of the mine waste (above) well match the colors of the desert. The mines closed in 1953, however, and nothing has grown on this waste pile in 60 years. Isolated plants exist but only show that vegetation could grow under different circumstances.
Many in Arizona revere the mine companies for having provided employment for many that would otherwise not have received a pay check. These people also cite the many community centers and town halls built by the mining companies during their heyday in towns like Ajo, Morenci, Jerome, Globe, Bisbee and others. This "civic generosity" has worked for decades to convince the public of the goodwill of these firms.
One might question the "goodwill", however, in light of what these companies left behind: Torn up ground, toxic waste, and further toxic runoff as wind spreads the dust and rain and snow percolate through the waste piles.
One might question the "goodwill", however, in light of what these companies left behind: Torn up ground, toxic waste, and further toxic runoff as wind spreads the dust and rain and snow percolate through the waste piles.
And here in the East they are blowing off the tops of mountains to get to the coal. On a recent trip up through WV I saw places once green with trees that are now only stubs of mountains with rubble along the sides. The cost of civilization.
ReplyDeleteNot sure of the geology but coal mining may produce as much toxic waste/rubble as copper mining out here. That said . . . Be well!
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