The Opportunity Ponds, now called the BP-Arco Waste Repository, historically served as one of the main mine tailings disposal areas for the Anaconda smelter. The site covers roughly five square miles, and holds over 160 million cubic yards of mine tailings. In some parts of the complex, tailings are 40 feet thick. Historically, the tailings were mixed with water, but with the end of smelting, they were left to dry out, leading to dust storms that could potentially impact human health. As part of the reclamation and restoration of the Upper Clark Fork Basin, tailings have been capped with cleaner topsoil. The area is then revegetated; vegetation prevents erosion and holds the waste in place, reducing potential impacts from dust storms.
The Opportunity Ponds, now called the BP-Arco Waste Repository, historically served as one of the main mine tailings disposal areas for the Anaconda smelter. The site covers roughly five square miles, and holds over 160 million cubic yards of mine tailings. In some parts of the complex, tailings are 40 feet thick. Historically, the tailings were mixed with water, but with the end of smelting, they were left to dry out, leading to dust storms that could potentially impact human health. As part of the reclamation and restoration of the Upper Clark Fork Basin, tailings have been capped with cleaner topsoil. The area is then revegetated; vegetation prevents erosion and holds the waste in place, reducing potential impacts from dust storms.

opportunityponds

The Opportunity Ponds, now called the BP-Arco Waste Repository, historically served as one of the main mine tailings disposal areas for the Anaconda smelter. The site covers roughly five square miles, and holds over 160 million cubic yards of mine tailings. In some parts of the complex, tailings are 40 feet thick. Historically, the tailings were mixed with water, but with the end of smelting, they were left to dry out, leading to dust storms that could potentially impact human health. As part of the reclamation and restoration of the Upper Clark Fork Basin, tailings have been capped with cleaner topsoil. The area is then revegetated; vegetation prevents erosion and holds the waste in place, reducing potential impacts from dust storms.

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