Sunrise Mining District Reclamation, Wyoming
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1998 Western Regional Award: Sunrise Mining District Reclamation, Wyoming |
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Sunrise mining area located in the Eureka Gulch near Guernsey, Wyoming was once the site of world's largest open pit iron mine. In the early 1900's this mine began as a surface mine and in the 1940's was converted to an underground operation
This historic building located in center of the mining town was the first YMCA established West of the Mississippi River and later became the mine office building. It was one of several buildings which were treated for lead paint chip cleanup and asbestos removal.
Reclaimed mine spoil was regraded and is now covered with vegetation. This eliminated the unstable slopes and created about 200 acres of grazing land.
Mine adits were closed with grates that keep people out of the mine; but, allow bats to fly in and use the mine habitats. During reclamation 23 openings were closed with bat grates.
An area know as the Central Ore Body Subsidence Pit was extremely hazardous. Limited spoil and access to fill material would have required disturbance of five time the size of the mine site to backfill the pit at an estimated cost of over $25 million. To eliminate this abandoned mine hazard an industrial strength chain link fence was erected to keep people out of the area. 
The Sunrise Pit covers 41 acres, contains water 280 feet deep and vertical highwalls over 600 feet tall. This area was fenced to keep people out and includes a viewing stand for visitors to safely look into the pit.