Copper mine bankruptcy leaves 1,000 acres of toxic waste

Utah's second-largest copper mine abruptly shut down, citing the global economic downturn. Lisbon Valley Mining Company, which operates the mine 35 miles south of Moab, failed to secure loans and was forced to furlough 65 employees last week. 

The mining site contains 1,000 acres of copper leach pads where acid is poured over crushed ore to extract copper deposits. The pads pose serious environmental risks and require near-constant maintenance. The company said it "understands that failure of the pumps at the leach pad and ponds would result in a release of sulfuric acid into the environment after only 37 hours." Currently, volunteer employees are keeping pad operations from breaking down and leaking into nearby drainages.

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining said it may be forced to use a $6.1 million reclamation bond posted by the company to ensure funds are available to cover reclamation costs. It could take up to two years to neutralize and drain the pads. 

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