Wyoming Abandoned Mine Land Division Honored with National Award for Carissa Mine Project

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) recently announced that its Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Division has been awarded the prestigious National Hard Rock Award from the National Association of Abandoned Mine Lands Programs (NAAMLP), County10 reports.

The award recognizes the division’s outstanding work on the Carissa Mine at the South Pass City State Historic Site.

The National Hard Rock Award, established in 2016, honors exemplary achievements in hardrock abandoned mine reclamation across the US WDEQ Public Information Supervisor Kimberly Mazza highlighted the award’s significance in a press release, noting that it celebrates high standards in mine reclamation techniques and public safety.

The Carissa Mine project, managed by WDEQ AML Project Manager Gwen Robson, focused on addressing physical safety hazards at the historic site. Robson’s submission for the award, in collaboration with engineering firm RESPEC, was praised for its comprehensive presentation, which included a detailed history of the mine and the reclamation work undertaken.

Don Newton, Administrator of WDEQ’s AML Division, commended Robson and RESPEC for their efforts in preparing the nomination. He emphasized the importance of preserving the site’s historical value while ensuring public safety. The project video, which showcases the mine’s history, the reclamation process, and the partnerships involved, is available on WDEQ’s YouTube channel.

The Carissa Mine, once a vital source of jobs and natural resources in Wyoming, is now a safer place for public visits, thanks to the efforts of WDEQ’s AML team.

For more information about the project and the Carissa Mine’s history, visit the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s website.