Old-mine hazards are being sealed

More than 20 mining-safety supervisors representing mining companies with Arizona-based sites met with State Mine Inspector Joe Hart in Phoenix earlier this fall to better coordinate with his office on their strategy for finding and closing mine shafts.

Hart said companies have been closely examining their private properties for at-risk mines. They wanted his input as to what other hazards to address at mining sites and make sure already sealed ones were noted in his statewide database.

"They just wanted to let me know they were there to help," Hart said. "They wanted to make sure whatever they could do to help us out so we didn't waste our time looking for them."

A preliminary inventory has counted more than 9,900 abandoned mines, including 3,280 regarded as safety problems, in Arizona, according to Hart's office.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., parent company of Phelps Dodge, has been working to seal decades-old mine entrances on its land as part of an extensive reclamation project to restore wildlife habitats affected by mining.

Spokesman Ken Vaughn said the company's work on its own mines, which are not necessarily abandoned but just unused, had been going on before the September tragedy northwest of Kingman. But there is now a renewed sense of urgency.

"I think people expect the industry to address these issues, which is what we're doing," Vaughn said. "Most people would not be aware of the work that's under way but they're aware of the incident. … We as an industry are very supportive. Also, we'll continue our work on the private lands."

The company uses polyurethane foam to plug up old mines. After the opening is sealed, it's covered with native rocks and soil. Vaughn said Freeport has been using this method for more than a year in mines around Bisbee, in Southeastern Arizona, and believes it is the most effective.