EMDI has most recently used the 35 acre site for reclaiming rare metals from used catalytic converters.
The reclamation process that involved shredding of converters and an acid bath process to recover metals, led to the storage of several categories of waste by-products on site including lead, chromium, corrosives (sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide), caustics, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and ethyl acetate.
These waste substances, which may impact nearby drainages and surface waters, are hazardous to health and environment and EPA will clean up all the hazardous wastes leaving out the machinery, cars and other equipment that are not contaminated.
Christopher Wardell, community involvement coordinator of Denver office at EPA, said: “EPA will remove a large volume of abandoned hazardous material from the Elizabeth Mining and Development property. This cleanup will safely dispose of more than 6,000 gallons of acids, explosive material, and other liquids that pose a risk to nearby waters and residents.”
