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Two contaminated sites at the Nacimiento Mine near Cuba, New Mexico are the focus of cleanup plans. The South Ore Pile and Heap Leach Pile are part of the abandoned copper Mine that was operational from 1970 to 1975.
Work at the Mine resulted in approximately 100,000 cubic yards of low-grade ore contaminating the South Ore Pile. Additionally, during its operation for in-situ mining, contamination spread to the nearby aquifer, resulting in a water treatment plant continuous work to address the groundwater contamination.
Williams Express, the responsible party for the cleanup and is working to excavate, remove, consolidate, and cap the contaminating materials. Cleanup is expected to be completed by November 2023.