The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has partnered with researchers from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona to develop new, state-specific software tools that give officials a clear and comprehensive picture of abandoned mine risks. Funded by a grant from the Arizona Board of Regents, these tools will help ADEQ locate abandoned mines, assess potential hazards, and prioritize limited remediation resources to protect public health and the environment.
Researchers compiled historical records and modern data into an interactive statewide database that maps abandoned mine sites and their intersection with sensitive landscapes. The team then created a map-based risk assessment tool that helps agencies evaluate impacts across regions by integrating data on population, water resources, wildlife, and terrain. The tool helps identify where abandoned mine hazards may pose the greatest concern and where attention and resources can make the most difference.
Together, these database and risk assessment tools are giving ADEQ a broader statewide view of risk, supporting informed decision-making and helping the agency focus its efforts where they can have the greatest impact.
Learn more here.
