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WPD | VRP | January Adit (Norton Mine)

VRP Site

January Adit (Norton Mine)

Revised On: Nov. 15, 2023 - 4:00 p.m.

Location: 

  • Patagonia Mountains, Harshaw, Arizona

Acceptance Into Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP):

  • Nov. 21, 2014

Contaminants of Concern (COCs):

  • Metals

Affected Media:

  • Soil
  • Surface Water

What are My Health Risks:

For Soil | There is little to no health risk unless there is contact with skin or ingestion of contaminated soil

Site Summary:

  • A tailing storage facility, underlain retention pond and active treatment water system is being constructed to address historical mine tailings and tailings seepage
  • APP and AZPDES permits have been issued in January 2018 by ADEQ
  • A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is in place
  • In April 2019, South 32 submitted a Remedial Action Work Plan to address the closure of the historic wetlands
  • In June 2019,  the VRP provided South32 with comments (following a 45 day public comment period) on the Remedial Action Work Plan
  • In October 2019, ADEQ approved the Remedial Action Work Plan
  • In April 2020, South32 submitted a Background Study Work Plan
  • In June 2020, ADEQ approved the Background Study Work Plan
  • In September 2021, South32 submitted a Background Study Report
  • In February 2022, ADEQ provided comments on the Background Study Report
  • On Feb. 1, 2023, ADEQ approved the Background Study Report

Project Manager
P: 602-771-2256
Email >


VRP Unit Manager
P: 602-771-1612
Email >