The Polar Star Mine is an abandoned placer gold mine where hydraulic techniques were used to transport water and gravels through the tunnel which contains a sluice box. Individuals are potentially at risk for mercury exposure if they improperly handle
or process the gravels and/or wood from the sluice box.
Individuals are potentially at risk for mercury exposure if they improperly handle
or process the gravels and/or wood from the sluice box Removing the mercury contaminated gravels and sluice box from the PSM tunnel will prevent potential exposure due to mishandling of these materials.
Past attempts by the property owner to secure the PSM site have been unsuccessful, and there are documented incidents of individuals trespassing onto the site to remove both mercury contaminated gravels and sluice box wood.
It became a US EPA Superfund site for remedial action in 2000.
Source. US EPA Superfund Pacific Southwest, Region 9.