The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program is seeking the public’s input on a proposed project that could close some mines in Tooele County.

The abandoned mine reclamation project would seal roughly 220 open abandoned mines in the North Tintic Mining District, which includes parts of Tooele, Juab and Utah counties. According to Steve Fluke, project manager with the DOGM, mine openings in Juab and Tooele counties would be closed this summer and fall, while openings in Utah County would be closed in summer and fall 2010.

“This project would safeguard hazardous openings at abandoned mines that look inviting and have even been advertised as exciting adventures to explore,” said Lucia Malin, program administrator. “However, abandoned mines have hidden hazards such as unexpected vertical drop-offs, collapsing roofs and unstable sides, high levels of radiation, lack of oxygen or pockets of toxic gases. People who enter them are being foolhardy.”

The abandoned mine program surveys sites around the state on a regular basis and categorizes those that pose the biggest dangers to the public, said Jim Springer, spokesman for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining.

“These sites present a lot of hidden hazards to people who may venture into them without being aware,” he said. “From a public safety standpoint, it’s a good idea to seal them off.”

But not everyone agrees with the state’s mine closure effort.

Mike Capps, president of Mojave Underground — a group dedicated to exploring, documenting and preserving the history of mines — said the kind of history that can be found in these mines is unique — and not available in a book or by visiting a museum.

“Once desolate and empty lands, these sites became growing towns and cities supported mainly by mining efforts,” said Capps. “Dirty and hardened miners working 12-hour shifts six days a week, hoping to strike it rich. Once the ore was removed, or mineral prices too low, these towns would wither and die, with nothing but skeleton buildings and deep holes left in the ground. Seeing these sites being destroyed with funds partially paid for by my taxes is heartbreaking.”

He added the mines in question are hard-rock mines, which pose less danger than soft-rock mines.

“The dangers most associate with abandoned mines are found in soft rock mines, due to their instability, organic materials, bad gasses and other dangers,” Capps said. “Mojave Underground encourages people to keep away from such mines, but to give thought to entering hard rock mines.”

The DOGM’s reclamation techniques erase the sites, according to Capps.

“There are no structures, no tailings, no mines, not even a piece of wood left over from a building that stood for the last 100-plus years,” he said.

Springer said there can be liability issues with landowners when venturing into mines such as those in the North Tintic district, and added the abandoned mine program works very closely with agencies to make sure the sites are well documented. He said historical structures are not damaged and are not destroyed.

“Most of the time they’re incorporated into the closure,” he said, adding just the opportunity to enter the mine is closed off.

Capps said certain mine sites do need reclamation and his organization is working with the state to help determine which sites warrant reclamation and which do not.

An open house regarding the proposed mine closures will be held Thursday, March 19, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Provo City Library, Brimhall Room, 550 N. University Ave., in Provo.

“We hope anyone with any interest, questions or information about these mines will stop by and let us know,” Fluke said. “Input is needed by April 1.”

Sarah Miley: swest@tooeletranscript.com