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News Releases from Region 09

EPA warns residents to stay away from the Iron King Mine tailings pile and Humboldt smelter

10/03/2019
Contact Information: 
Margot Perez-Sullivan (perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov)
415-947-4149

DEWEY-HUMBOLDT, Ariz. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently been alerted that people, many of whom are children, are playing in and around the Iron King Mine tailings pile and Humboldt smelter properties in Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona. This is dangerous. The smelter stack and nearby building are unstable and unsafe, and anyone near these structures is in danger of severe injury or death should these structures collapse. Both the smelter and mine tailings pile pose many dangerous fall hazards, as well as chemical hazards from toxic metals that could pose a health risk.

Please heed posted warnings and stay away from these properties. EPA is asking anyone who witnesses people, especially children, near the smelter building to immediately notify the Yavapai Sheriff’s office at (928)-771-3260. In Dewey-Humboldt, the tailings pile is west of Highway 69, and the smelter property is east of Main Street.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region or the Iron King Mine/Humboldt Smelter Superfund site. (http://www.epa.gov/superfund/ironkingmine). Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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