Minturn is a town of 1500 people, just north of the site. Through the efforts of federal and state agencies, as well as Potentially Responsible Parties, a cleanup of site contaminants is well on its way to completion. The mine later developed into a primarily zinc-mining operation. For the next century, the mining left elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in the soil, surface water and ground water. The contaminants reduced the fish population and other aquatic life in the Eagle River, below the mine and its tailings piles.
Tailings are wastes separated during zinc processing.
The contaminants posed a potential threat to two drinking water wells in Minturn. Airborne particles from the largest tailings pile also cause concern because the pile is located near a middle school and residences. That tailings pile had affected a nearby wetland area, as well. The site includes the now-flooded Eagle Mine, the abandoned company town of Gilman and eight million tons of wastes from the mine's active days. In 1989, EPA became more involved in the project and conducted a Focused Feasibility Study, which resulted in additional cleanup measures.