Van Stone Mine cleanup site, Onion Creek

The proposed cleanup would consolidate and cover contaminated material, decrease steep slopes, and improve the spillway at North Pit Lake. The estimated cost of cleanup is $14 million. Ecology has used funds from former mine owner American Smelting and Refining Company’s (ASARCO) bankruptcy proceedings to investigate the contamination and plan the cleanup.

Learn more

• Review the draft Cleanup Action Plan.
• Read the public notice we mailed to the community.
• Visit our Van Stone Mine cleanup site page.

Next steps

We will review all comments received during the comment period and update the cleanup plan, if needed. If no significant changes are made, the plan will become final. If significant changes are made, we will hold an additional public comment period.

Site history

The Van Stone Mine operated on and off from 1938 to 1993 as an underground and then open-pit lead and zinc mine. Contaminants vary by area, but in general, soil is contaminated with antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and zinc. Surface water discharging into Onion Creek tributaries from tailings piles also has levels of contaminants requiring cleanup.