Monday Mining Tour

Day 9 Monday, MONDAY!!!

Not a bad morning, woke up early at 6:30am, a bit overkill since our day does not actually begin for a few more hours. Nonetheless, my group was in charge of breakfast today…

We scrambled around during the last minute because everyone needed to be prepared for the visit to the Mine today. I have very little knowledge about mining, let alone Uranium and its affect on the environment.

We arrived promptly at 8:45am-ish… Plenty of time before the speakers of Midnite Mining and Newmont Mining. 

The discussion of a brief history of this area (Wellpinit) and the Spokane area. How the Dam impacted the region, there was a power point showing us pictures of back in the 1950’s before the Dam, and after. The River created by the Dam, spans 180 miles all the way up to Canada, to add to this stretch, the river currently fluctuates throughout the year.

The Spokane Tribal member’s main concern was about the gravesite’s being disturbed by this fluctuation. When remains appear on the banks, or on the river, the tribal members hold services out of respect and rebury the remains. Recent years the methods have changed because of how traditions are not practiced as it used to. The elders are passing, yet the traditional methods are slowly being lost.

Other interesting history of the banks of this river are the landslides… In 1974, the biggest landslide occurred not too far from Two Rivers Bridge. The reason of this landslide is not fully understood, yet the thought is that the planes/jets that fly underneath the bridge at Two Rivers causes a sonic boom and the vibrations rattle the fragile banks along the River(s).

The question: Was the Dam the biggest impact on Salmon’s population? The answer is no, back in the 1950’s, there was “Fish Wheels,” a method of catching fish in abundant numbers. Canneries were all over the area, and canned fish for many parts of the nation and around the world. This reduced the numbers drastically, dwindling the salmon population.

Warren then discussed the Natural Resource Programs, plus the program he hosts. What a great program.

Next on the agenda, our attention was directed to a couple of Ice Breaker’s after our introduction of ourselves. This was a good activity to get all the students involved and interactive. Immediately after the second Ice breaker, we were ushered back into the Library, for the next session.

Midnite & Dawn Mining group (Gerald Kates, Radiation safety, Robert Nelson, Operations Manager, Randy Barnes, and Lou) provided us important history and instruction on our next destination. We were handed forms to fill out, and signed prior to discussion. We were notified that if you are under 18, you could not attend the Water Plant. If you are old enough and plan to attend, you will need to have cotton shirts, Levi Jeans, shoes (no open toed shoes) prior to go into the restricted areas.

The topic of pregnant women came up, that the women should disclose this information to wear a monitor. Although the contamination risk of where we are going is very minimal.

Gerald is the next speaker whom discussed the fact that radiation is everywhere, us as humans are allotted 100 milligrams per year of this radiation. Most likely we will never encounter a hazardous level of contamination.

Eastern Washington Radon is higher than that of other parts of Washington State and the United States. The reason Radon is much higher, is due to the fact we have more winters in Eastern Washington, Radon is in the soil and depending on our housing situation whether we allow some sort of air circulation, it may just build up. Mainly due to the fact we keep our houses closed up in the colder temperatures.

The information provided was semi-useful, but without actually seeing where we are going I was a bit clueless.

Upon departure, we took a group picture… Our White Swan students always seem so shy, but I know they are not. Regardless the picture was a success, as you can see.

I requested to go with another group, because I always want to meet other people. The vehicle I jumped on, was mostly High School students, 3 from white swan and 3 from Wellpinit, the other 3 of us were college students. The Local (Wellpinit) students know how to express themselves, carried on good conversation, well for the most part, the twins from Wellpinit spoke but only when spoken too.

We finally arrived to the Mining site, 1^st stop was at a hillside, we all went up to the top (great exercise). The view we seen was the ponds filled with water, 3 of the four were active (biohazard water), and the other natural water (rainfall). This area was not harmful, as we were told.

After this tremendous hike, we all traveled back to camp for lunch. Dawn Mining group had lunch provided by Subway (hmmm hmmmm, my favorite place to eat). Oh my, I have had some continuous meals these past few days and I am very appreciative about this opportunity. After consuming 3 half sandwiches and 2 bags of chips, I am ready to go!

I jumped on with another group of students, I was a bit excited. This vehicle occupants were 2 local college students, 1 from (James) Montana, 1 High school student and myself… These individuals carried excellent conversations and spoke highly of Warren. Warren has influenced their lives in a positive way, what type of work they do with Warren's direction, and their goals after college. I am very happy to meet these individuals, I certainly hope White Swan students talk with these laidies and gents. Simply brilliant that young minds have goals they are determined to accomplish, another plus was the Air Conditioner!

The next area was the parking lot between the drainage pond/pit and the water treatment plant, this is where the teenagers and drivers went one way and the older crowd split up into groups for tours of the area.

Our group of 10 went through the Water Treatment plant, basically the water from the bottom of the drainage pit(s) are funneled into this facility and go through a series of containers. These Bats or Vats (I’m not certain the correct term for these huge barrel like containers) are stopping points for additives like Acid (I believe sulfuric acid), and Lime to weigh down and separate the H2O from the Uranium or other metals in a series of Vats. The excess water is re-routed to the Pit, and the Lime, Metals, Excess Debris gets routed to this press system. This press system squeezes out all of the water, on a busy day this press can fill up 3 to 4 bags. These bags are a hefty size, 4 x 4 x 8, this dimension always reminds me of a cord of firewood. This was the final part of this water treatment facility.

Next we decontaminated ourselves, in other words we used this meter to check for biohazards and possible contamination on our person. We all passed the test, then we went to see the Pit, recycle system. Crazy view, the water at 5 feet deep was a bright sort of neon green, and the deeper part was a depth of 25 feet deep.

Randy Barnes assured us that the amount of radiation was not truly hazardous, they just practice taking all precautions as necessary to avoid any serious accidents. The Pit recycle project is intended to be completed within the next 4 to 8 years, roughly 6 years or less with the current drought taking place.

A student asked, “What would happen if someone jumped into the lake?” The reply, Well that person would be really itchy, and we would have to spray them down with water for a while to wash off the contaminants. Other than that, as long as they don’t orally swallow the water they should be fine.

It’s not ironic what the next question was, “If they swallow water, would they die immediately?” Reply, No they would not die immediately or grow other body parts. The “Theory” is that a person with a little bit of contamination would survive much longer than those with no contamination. This Theory reminded me of why people request for vaccinations. Overall the area was not as hazardous as portrayed… But according to the stories the local students discussed in our private vehicle discussions has me questioning all of those “Theories” as there is always some sort of façade in place to keep us focused on the good side of the mining group project. We shall see in the next decade.

                                                                                                                                                             

Last but not least, a group picture, this was actually taken before we departed the school!

There are two sets, because one half is closing their eyes on one photo and the other half are closed in the other photo.