The history of mining in
Jerome Arizona has a checkered past.
Millions of dollars were earned by the mining companies and some of the
towns (at least in Arizona) received a public building or two. But the destruction of people and the
environment carried a horrible toll.
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| An open pit with a head frame half hidden behind shrubbery. Head frames were used to lower and raise miners from the 88 miles of below-ground tunnels. |
Myths, legends and a few factual stories have survived about the brothels, legendary madams, some of the saloons and epic fist and gun fights. What is never questioned is why nothing has grown for sixty years on these piles of waste.
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| Mines in Jerome ceased operation in 1953. The scale of these waste "layers" can be determined by the apparent size of the 2-story houses at the lower right of the photograph above. |
Despite airborne pollution (toxic dust) and ground water toxicity due to 60 years of rainfall percolating through these piles, mining may begin again in West Jerome .
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| NOTHING has grown on this waste material in 60 years. |
If Cornerstone Metals, Inc. indeed comes to Jerome it may well find a mixed reception.
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