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The anomalous metals content and low pH was caused by the oxidation of sulfides along <br /> fractures - both mineralized f#actures and fractures with only the background disseminated <br /> sulfides. These oxidation reactions are responsible for the extensive limonitic staining so <br /> common in the San Juan Mountains (e.g. Red Mountains 1 and 3 adjacent to Gladstone). <br /> The chemistry of ground water can be measured from samples from wells and springs. No deep <br /> wells exist in the vicinity of the Sunnyside Mine, but chemical parameters have been measured <br /> at springs in the Cement Creep drainage, and discharge from fractures within the Sunnyside <br /> Mine. <br /> Table 2 summarizes selected cl4mical parameters of waters entering the American Tunnel. Most <br /> of the water in the vicinity of Washington Inclined Shaft (Washington vein, West Drift, and <br /> Sunnyside Drift) originates as ground water which has entered the fracture-flow system in or <br /> near the Sunnyside Basin and ha had a relatively short flow path to the mine workings. Ground <br /> water from Fault #1 and Fault 2 seems to have traversed a greater distance from the recharge <br /> area. <br /> Water from the Hanging Wall E rift of the Washington vein is slightly warmer than other mine <br /> flows and is expected to contain some ground water rising from depth. This rising of ground <br /> water may be induced by the decrease in hydraulic head associated with dewatering the mine. <br /> This water should not contain elevated levels of metals or acid caused by exposure of sulfides <br /> sanjuan\sunny\110361\oct91.Rpt 22 <br /> w simonHY oRo='3F AM`CH <br />