Reclamation of the Urad molybdenum mine,Empire, Colorado

The Urad Mine, located at an elevation of 10,400 feet near the Continental Divide in central Colorado, was operated from 1967–1974 by AMAX Inc. Mine related activities disturbed approximately 234 acres, of which two tailing deposition areas comprised 121 acres. Comprehensive reclamation was initiated prior to mine closure in 1974 and was completed in 1980.Conventional revegetation techniques were implemented on typical disturbances while the tailing areas were reclaimed with the aid of three waste products. Mine waste rock was used to cap the tailing areas, and sewage and wood wastes were used to convert the rock into a rudimentary soil. The rock was revegetated and the vegetation is now permanent and selfsustaining.