Pend Oreille Mine
Site Background
The Pend Oreille Mine site is two miles north of Metaline Falls on the east side of the Pend Oreille River.
Teck American Inc. (Teck) owns and operates the Pend Oreille Mine, which is an underground lead and zinc mine. The metals mined there are shipped to their smelter in Trail, British Columbia, Canada (see our Upper Columbia River website for more information). Teck is in the process of permanently closing the mine.
The Pend Oreille Mine cleanup site is two tailings disposal facilities (TDFs), referred to as TDFs 1 and 2, that were used from 1967 and 1977. TDFs 1 and 2 are 18 and 9 acres, respectively.
Teck now uses TDF 3, which is not included in this cleanup and will be addressed during the complete mine closure process.
Investigating Contamination
Teck entered into a legal agreement with us in 2005. The agreement required Teck to conduct a supplemental remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS).
The investigation examined the extent of metals contamination in soil, groundwater, and surface water at TDFs 1 and 2. The FS evaluated cleanup options.
Groundwater contaminants found
The investigation showed elevated levels of iron and manganese in groundwater around the TDFs. Groundwater in these areas flows toward the Pend Oreille River. One of the primary purposes of the work at the site is to protect the river and local streams.
Drinking water was not found to be affected by site-related contaminants.
Soil contaminants found
Lead and arsenic in soil around the TDFs exceeded Washington state standards for human health.
Cleanup
- Regrade the piles to remove steep slopes and minimize erosion
- Compact their surfaces
- Place protective covers systems over the piles to prevent stormwater from carrying contaminants to groundwater
- Manage stormwater runoff
Documents 15
Legal 7
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Pend Oreille Mine Exhibit E to Consent Decree Restrictive Covenant | 2/1/2011 | Consent Decree |
Pend Oreille Mine - Exhibit D to Consent Decree Public Participation Plan | 2/1/2011 | Consent Decree |
Pend Oreille Mine Exhibit C to Consent Decree Scope of Work | 2/1/2011 | Consent Decree |
Pend Oreille Mine Consent Decree Exhibit A Site Diagram | 2/1/2011 | Consent Decree |
Pend Oreille Mine Consent Decree | 2/1/2011 | Consent Decree |
Pend Oreille Mine AO Remedial Action | 7/5/2005 | Agreed Order |
Pend Oreille Mine AO Remedial Action | 5/19/2005 | Agreed Order |
Public Information 3
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Pend Oreille Mine Fact Sheet Cleanup Proposed at Tailings Disposal Facilities 1 and 2 | 2/14/2011 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Pend Oreille Mine Fact Sheet Results of Investigation and Proposed Cleanup Alternatives | 6/1/2010 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Pend Oreille Mine Fact Sheet AO for a RI/FS | 5/1/2005 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
State Environmental Policy Act 1
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Pend Oreille Mine SEPA Checklist and DNS | 2/14/2011 | SEPA Documents |
Technical Reports 4
Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
Pend Oreille Mine DCAP Figures 1-4 | 2/1/2011 | Cleanup Action Plan |
Pend Oreille Mine DCAP Figure 1 | 2/1/2011 | Cleanup Action Plan |
Pend Oreille Mine Exhibit B of Consent Decree - DCAP | 2/1/2011 | Cleanup Action Plan |
Pend Oreille Mine Supplemental Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study | 6/3/2010 | Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study |
Places to see print documents
-
Eastern Regional OfficeN 4601 Monroe StSpokane, 99205-1265Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 1
Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | C | C | S |
- S
- Suspected
- C
- Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
- B
- Below Cleanup Levels
- RA
- Remediated-Above
- RB
- Remediated-Below
- R
- Remediated