COUNTY ROAD 12, RUBY MINING DISITRICT
Silver mining activity began in the southern Ruby Mining District in 1874, and continued up to 1974 at several mine sites. Standard Mine was one of the three largest producing silver mines in the area. The other two are the Keystone Mine (owned by Phelps Dodge) and the Forest Queen Mine. None of these mines is currently active except for water treatment at the Keystone Mine. Standard Mine was called the most environmentally-degraded mine site in the entire Ruby Mining District by a report from the Colorado Geological Survey. Standard Mine site is located on 10 acres in the Ruby Mining District of the Gunnison National Forest, approximately 30 miles north of Gunnison and 10 miles west of the Town of Crested Butte, in Gunnison County, Colorado. The contaminants of concern are primarily heavy metals with samples showing elevated levels of manganese, lead, zinc, cadmium, and copper. The site releases a high flow of 70 gallons per minute (gpm) and a low flow of 5-20 gpm, depending on the season, of contaminated discharge from the abandoned mine workings into Elk Creek. The site is located at an elevation of 11,000 feet in a very remote and isolated location on the south flank of the Scarp Ridge in Elk Basin. It is only accessible in the summer by four-wheel-drive vehicles, by foot, or by mountain bike. The site historically consisted of waste piles along with open and unmarked adits (horizontal) and shafts (vertical) with the following characteristics: 8,400 feet of drifts on six levels 53,560 cubic yards of waste rock 29,340 cubic yards of mill tailings Non-engineered and unlined surface impoundment 300 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep constructed entirely of waste rock Dilapidated buildings and rail structures
21 |
People living within a 3 mile radius |
$86,192 |
Average Income |
12 |
Occupied homes |
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