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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Utah Geological Association

Abstract


Engineering and Environmental Geology of Southwestern Utah, 1992
Pages 281-285

Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Mining History in Southwestern Utah

Mary Ann Wright

Abstract

Reclamation of abandoned mines in Washington and Iron Counties has unearthed a rich mining history related to the settlement of the area by pioneers of European descent in the 1800s. Mining for coal, iron and silver was responsible for development of some present day communities in southwestern Utah. Hazards and environmental degradation left from past mining are not compatible with some current land uses. The reclamation process calls for historical research, documentation and mitigation subject to federal and state laws. At times, unrecorded historical information is discovered.

In 1986, the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program in the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining reclaimed seven abandoned coal mine sites in Cedar Canyon, Iron County, eliminating hazards and returning the acreage to productive wildlife habitat and recreational land use.

The Silver Reef Mining District in Washington County has over 250 mine openings within a 500 acre (202 ha) area. The many shafts, adits, slopes and strip pits were mined from the late 1870s to the 1930s. Today, these mine openings create a hazardous surface terrain in juxtaposition with new residential development which is encroaching on the old mining district.


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