Processes in the characterization, remediation, and reclamation used to decommission a tailings pile containing unknown substances

Abstract

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), located in southeastern New Mexico, is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility that is government owned and contractor operated. The Waste Isolation Division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation operates the WIPP for the DOE, Carlsbad Area Office (CAO). The mission of the CAo at WIPP is to protect human health and the environment by opening and operating the WIPP for safe disposal of transuranic (TRU) waste. This mission seeks to establish an effective system for management of TRU waste from generation to disposal. By incorporating the CAO mission, the WIPP is providing a research and development facility to demonstrate the safe disposal of TRU wastes generated by the defense activities of the U.S. Government. This report describes the characterization and proposed alternatives for remediation of a 7.5 acre saltpile containing a variety of rock and sediment debris, mine construction debris and possible hydrocarbon products in various containers. The pile was generated during mining activities and was not compacted during placement. A geophysical and soil gas survey was performed as a precursor to intrusive drilling and sampling programs.