Visions 2200 - A Perspective on the Future

Nature Reclaimed

Since the beginning of the industrial age, man's impact on this planet has become ever more harsh. The natural landscape has been squeezed into smaller and smaller areas.

At times, with man's conscious help or more often by happenstance, nature has reclaimed her birthright. An example of the former is the reclamation of rock quarries into parks. An example of the latter is the reforestation of eastern North America following the (1) opening to settlement of the Midwestern prairies and (2) cessation of demand for pasture land for horses with the commencement of the automobile age.

Rebirth of nature on lands impacted by the processing of toxic substances can be most gratifying. An example of such reclamation may be found at the former New Almaden Quicksilver Mine in Northern California. Before and after images of various sites at the former mine show the progress in reclamation since the mining era ended.

Mercury

Mercury is one of the most toxic elements. Such toxicity is a key characteristic of the mining and processing of mercury. Pure mercury is a liquid metal, sometimes referred to as quicksilver  that volatilizes readily. It has traditionally been used to make  products like thermometers, switches, and some light bulbs.

Mercury in the air eventually settles into water or onto land where it can be washed into water. Once deposited, certain microorganisms can change it into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish, shellfish  and animals that eat  fish.  Fish and shellfish are the main sources of methylmercury exposure to humans.

New Almaden Quicksilver Mine

In the 19th and early 20th centuries mercury was a primary ingredient in the manufacturing process for hats and in refining  gold. The term 'crazy as a hatter' is indicative of its toxicity to workers in that industry. The principal source for mercury is the red ore called Cinnabar.  

Starting around 1849 with the California Gold Rush, the largest American source for Cinnabar was the New Almaden Mine in the Santa Cruz Mountains at the south end of San Francisco Bay.  The mining of this ore lasted over 100 years. Over time, most of the buildings were torn down as mining terminated and miners departed their residences on the former mine land. Approximate dates when operations ceased for various locations within the mining area are provided below:

  • Spanish Town - Last of inhabitants gone 1900
  • Hacienda Reduction Works - dismantled following closure in 1912
  • Mine Hill - Equipment removed 1918
  • English Town - Last of inhabitants gone about 1912, Buildings removed in 1930s.  
  • Senador - Closed 1926 and reduction plant dismantled

With exhaustion of the richest pockets of ore, the last of the mining ended about 1970. By 1975 all of the land from the former mining company had been acquired for a county park. The cleanup began. Exposed bodies of mine tailings were covered with layers of clay in many cases.

The 'before' and 'after' photos below illustrate the restoration of this formerly mined land and its return to a natural state. Given the difficulties involved in this Mediterranean climate, the reclamation of these mined areas shows that there is indeed hope for those lands most damaged by the ravages of man.

Some Organizations of Interest

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) International promotes ecological restoration to sustain the diversity of life on Earth and reestablish an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture. Ecological Restoration is a quarterly print and online publication that provides a forum for people interested in all aspects of ecological restoration. The Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University works to heal fire-adapted forests and other ecosystems in western North America. Trees for Life is dedicated to the regeneration and restoration of the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland. The University of California at Davis has a graduate program in restoration ecology.

Before - During Mining Era

After - 2005
Spanish Town - Circa 1890 Ridge today with hill on left removed in subsequent mining operations. Being a north facing slope, which retains more moisture, the oak dominant forest has recovered nicely.
Hacienda Reduction Works - Circa 1875

 Undergoing mercury decontamination
Mine Hill & part of Spanish Town - Circa 1890 Today after much subsequent mining of the hill. Although also a north facing slope, the fast draining and rocky soil left by the mining operation gave little opportunity for the recovery of the oak forest. Chaparral predominates.
English Town from schoolyard - Circa 1885

 Approximate location today with increased tree cover
Senador Mine - Circa 1916 Two concrete dust bin towers from furnace remaining standing
 

H Graem © 2006