Cleanup work begins at former NM mine

CUBA, N.M. (AP) - The Santa Fe National Forest says cleanup of groundwater beneath an open pit copper mine near Cuba is under way and it will take several years to complete.

Forest officials say federal stimulus funding of more than $1 million has supplemented the multi-million-dollar project.

A bioreactor treatment plant constructed at the site started pumping groundwater from the inactive Nacimiento Mine this week.

The water will be treated and released into Senorito Creek.

Biological processes are being used to remove acid and precipitate dissolved heavy metals from the contaminated
groundwater.

Officials estimate that 25 million gallons of water will be pumped and treated by the time the project is done.

The mine sits at the edge of the Santa Fe forest, just southeast of Cuba.