KRWG News –
SANTA FE, N.M. (krwg) New Mexico will use $4.56 million in federal funds to clean up abandoned mines.
The grant from the Office of Surface Mining will finance the cleanup of coal mine waste piles at the Swastika and Dutchman Canyon mines in Dillon Canyon near Raton.
The Swastika Mine project will remove coal mine waste from Dillon Canyon Creek.
It also will restore meanders to the creek where it was straightened during mining activities in the early1900s.
The Dutchman Canyon portion of the project will reclaim several small mine waste piles.
It also will treat alkaline drainage using existing ponds and a newly constructed wetland.
The grant also will be used to reclaim abandoned mine sites in Santa Fe County, Luna County and Taos County.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. krwg