They were proceeding slowly, but hopes remained high until September 18, when a canary inserted beyond a bulkhead by oxygen-tank-equipped workers died.

[3] Mine tailings and waste from ore processing left a million cubic yards of material tainted with arsenic, lead and mercury within the limits of the city of Jackson.

Single family homes and part of the Jackson high school were built on waste rock piles from the mine.

Other waste from the mine is being held back by the Eastwood Multiple Arch Dam, which the EPA says is at risk of failure.

[citation needed] Ghost Hunters investigated the mine to determine if the claims of paranormal activity had any validity.