NEW IDRIA MERCURY MINE

TYPE OF MINING

• Subsurface Mine
• Mercury extracted from cinnabar ore
• Crushing and roasting ore
• Process called calcination

FACTS

• Covers 8,000 acres
• 38 million pounds of mercury mined
• Produced 2 million tons of waste
• Over 30 miles of underground tunnels
• Mine closed in 1970

NEGATIVES

• Contaminated nearby water
• Damaged wildlife habitats
• Caused a lot of groundwater pollution
• No action taken by mining company
• Pollution not regulated

USES OF MERCURY

• Thermometers
• Barometers
• Streetlights
• Flourescent lamps
• Advertising signs