Rising demand for hardrock commodities both nationally and internationally suggest that hardrock mining activity will continue to increase. Historically a hotspot for gold and silver mining, Colorado still relies heavily on hardrock mineral extraction and more than tripled the value of in-state mined hardrock material from 2003 to 2007. In addition, advances in technology are enabling larger open pit strategies that improve profit margins but disturb larger areas of land and rely heavily on chemical leaching to extract target material from ore. With mining activity increasing in its scale and scope of impact, it is critical that we continue to assess the potential impact of these practices. Surveying Colorado in general and Lake County in particular, this research locates areas that may be impacted by acid mine drainage, a foremost concern in hardrock mining districts.

Spring 2015  //  Introduction to GIS instructed by Michael Hinke  //  University of Colorado Denver