1992
Captain Jack Mine Closure
What to know:
After nearly a century of activity under multiple owners at the Captain Jack Mine, the site shut down in 1992. In the ten years prior, the Captain Jack Ltd. Company cleaned out the Big Five Tunnel adit and covered the tailings with hundreds of tons of waste rock and a couple other companies failed to continue operations. By the time of its closure, there were a number of health and environmental related issues at the site, including contaminated soil and acid mine drainage entering Left Hand Creek. The EPA and CDPHE consider designating Captain Jack Mine as a Superfund site.
Photos of the waste rock and mine tailings at the Captain Jack Mine. Circa 2008.
Source: EPA and CDPHE.
Acid mine drainage, or yellow boy, was still a concern after the mine was closed. Here is a photo of yellow boy coming from the Big Five Tunnel adit after waste rock and tailings were abandoned.
Source: EPA and CDPHE.
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1861
Mining Begins in the Ward District
Mining activity began in 1861 following the discovery of gold... -
Late 1800s
Water Quality Issues Reported
Water quality issues were likely occurring since mining began in... -
1896
Captain Jack Mill Construction
Approximately 12 mines were operated in the headwaters area of... -
1992
Captain Jack Mine Closure
After nearly a century of activity under multiple owners at... -
2003
EPA Superfund Designation of Captain Jack
By 2003, Captain Jack Mill was listed on the EPA’s... -
2008
Record of Decision Issued
In 2008, Captain Jack Mill Superfund site completed a final... -
2013
Surface Remediation Completed
The surface remediation occurred from 2011 to 2013. This work... -
2015
Sub-Surface Remediation Began
The Subsurface Remediation began in late 2015. This work aims... -
2018
Emergency Release and Fish Kill Occurred
In October 2018, Left Hand Creek landowners reported a fish... -
2020
Sub-Surface Remediation Continued
After the emergency release and resulting fish kill, the sub-surface... - Future