Photo courtesy of Yukon News and CMS Photos
Acid mine/rock drainage is a rampant problem in the world today. The above photo depicts acid drainage at an abandoned mine in the Yukon Territory of northwest Canada. This mine shares a similar history to thousands of other mines throughout the world. It was in operation for six short years in the 1950’s, producing gold ore. Its profitability eventually failed and it was abandoned. In the years following, the mine changed ownership several times, making it very difficult for the government to enforce treatment for the acid rock drainage that the mine created.