ENTIRE TOWN OF
The Newton County Mine Tailings Site (Site) is located in southwest Missouri in the Tri-State Mining District. From approximately 1850 to 1950, lead, cadmium, and zinc mining were major industries in Newton County and the land is marked by numerous open mine shafts, tailings piles, and underground mine workings. The extensive mining activity resulted in underground mine openings with exposed lead, cadmium, and zinc ores. The mines were located below the water table and, during periods of operations, were kept dry by pumping ground water from the shafts. Following abandonment of the mines, pumping ceased, the water table returned to its natural levels, and the ground water came in contact with abandoned underground mines and exposed ore. Lead, cadmium, and zinc ground water contamination resulted when the oxygenated water leached metals from the exposed ores in the abandoned mines. Further contamination resulted from lead, cadmium, and zinc leaching from surface waste piles into the ground water through the numerous constructed mine shafts throughout the county. Based on current sampling information, the contaminated ground water encompasses approximately 160 square miles. Approximately 1,800 residential homes that rely on individual private water wells are located within the Site.
131 |
People living within a 1 mile radius |
$39,205 |
Average Income |
43 |
Occupied homes |
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