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<br /> ' ~ ~ -' <br /> Ci-IE~AICAL AND VEGETATIVE STABILIZATION OF A NEVADA COPPER <br /> PORPHYRY MILL TAILING ~ - <br /> by <br /> .`: cri C. Dev n,~ Ricncrd Hcvens,~ cnd Kir.~bvll T. Hvrper2 <br /> ABSTRACT -- <br /> The Bureau of Pines stabilized 10 acres of windblown copper mill tailings <br /> at :cGill, Nev., by a combination chemical-vegetative procedure. Legumes, <br /> <br /> c:•ir.ter s;h=_at, wheatgrasses, and wild rye were seeded, and the area was subse- _- <br /> quently sprayed evith a resinous adhesive chemical to stabilize the sands until __ <br /> the vegetation could grow. During the year since treatment, the area has been <br /> well stabilized against wind erosion. The established vegetation appears to ,:_c <br />- <br /> be c2cable of self-perpetuation and renec.al without irrigation. The cost of - <br />-`_ <br /> stabilizing the area aas $135.50 per acre. <br />C <br /> I1\TPRODUCT I ON <br /> i`;ine, mill, and smelter wastes aggregating billions of tons are scattered <br /> across the country and in certain areas detract from the natural beauty of the <br /> land. As the copulation of the United States increases and the demand for <br /> land intensifies, populous centers are slowly encroaching on these formerly '" <br /> isolated wastes. Encroachment sharply intensifies the importance of control- <br /> ling air and water pollution derived from natural weathering of such wastes. <br /> Use or stabilization of these wastes comprises the only viable means for mini- <br />" mizing pollution. The quantities of accumulated and currently generated min- '~~ <br /> eral wastes are so large that only a small part is likely to be fully used; <br /> hence, stabilization is a necessary consideration and possibly the principal ~` <br /> Weans for rinimizing air and water pollution problems. = <br /> ' ;F <br /> Authorizatic~ for research on solid waste problems was given to the - <br /> Secratary of the Interior by Congress under Public Law 89-272 commonly known <br /> as the Solid S.'aste Disposal Act of 1965. The Secretary of the Interior del e- ~~ <br /> gates res~onsibiiity for solid mineral waste utilization and stabilization <br /> studies tc ~he U.S. Bureau of Mines. <br /> -___=:•:~iso r: ztaliurgist, Salt Lake City '1eta11urgy Research Center, Eureau • <br /> c. ':;Was, gait Lake City, Utah. <br /> `Rasaarch botanist, Salt=i,ake~City t;etallurgy Research Center, Bureau of "sines, <br /> Solt Lai<e Cit}~, L'tah; associate professor of biological sciences, Cniver- <br /> si_.: ef.L'tah, Salt Lake City, Ctah. <br /> <br />