Please choose your delivery country and your customer group
The legacy of abandoned mineral lands spans North America and the National Park units. Deserted, these sites stand in silent testimony to those who pioneered this country in search of mineral wealth. Abandoned mineral lands include underground and surface mines; placer and dredge sites; oil, gas, and geothermal wells; and all associated structures with these sites. The National Park Service proactively manages AML sites to protect visitors, wildlife and the environment. Major efforts to inventory, assess, and prioritize safety issues have generated valuable information regarding the use and history of these sites, resulting in an enhanced cultural character to many parks. Once high risk safety issues are addressed, many parks actively seek to preserve this character though interpretive and educational presentation, and the preservation and reconstruction of mining related historic structures and landscapes. In other parks, special regional events such as discoveries and local gold rushes are commemorated.