The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Water Quality Control Division has ordered Cotter Corporation to build a bypass pipeline at its Schwartzwalder mine in Jefferson County, Colorado, US, to minimise the discharge of uranium-laden water into Ralston Creek.
In 2010, the Water Quality Control Division notified that discharge from the mine contained elevated levels of uranium that exceed surface water standards under the Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
Schwartzwalder Mine is an underground uranium mine that opened in 1953 and was acquired by Cotter in 1966; Cotter operated the mine from 1966 until 2000 when mining operations ceased.
According to the order, Cotter should submit a plan to the department for the design and construction of a temporary structure that will divert Ralston Creek steam flows past the Schwartzwalder facility.
The order also requires Cotter to evaluate and enhance its groundwater capture and treatment system, and to submit a plan for the aggressive removal or containment of all groundwater and surface water pollutant sources at the mine.
