The Drill Down

The Copper Ridge Project

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM), Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program permanently closed 17 hazardous mine openings including five shafts, with funding provided by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The 12 uranium mine openings were located in close proximity to a popular mountain bike and jeep trail in the Klondike Bluffs area north of Moab. The copper mines were located in the North Klondike Bluffs area, near the Baby Steps Recreational Trail.

The mines were closed using grates, polyurethane foam and waste rock to prevent people from accessing the sites. Abandoned mines often provide habitat for bats. Rebar grates are often installed to prevent people from entering, while still allowing bats access. At several of the mine openings complete backfilling was the only option to protect the public from high radon levels.

The mines are located on BLM land. DOGM assisted the BLM with closing abandoned mine features, which were a priority due to their proximity to areas with high visitation and recreation use.