As soon as the winter snows melt in central Washington state’s High Cascades, Rio Tinto’s Holden Mine Cleanup Project is set to begin its second year of major work. WF&Co. works with Rio Tinto’s Legacy Management Group to help manage community relations and public information for this unique mine remediation project located in a remote and beautiful canyon that can only be accessed by boat on Lake Chelan. Rio Tinto is working to removal legacy mine structures, close underground mine portals, regrade piles of tailings and waste rock, and build a sophisticated system to capture and treat water that percolates from the mine and waste rock into Railroad Creek. The former copper mine operated from the mid-1930s until the late 1950s. The mine site includes a group of wooden chalets and service buildings that is now home to the Holden Village retreat community. Some 5,000 guests a year visit Holden Village to relax, hike and perform volunteer service. Through a cooperative agreement with Rio Tinto during the cleanup project, the Village has reduced its programming and is performing needed maintenance and upgrades of its facilities, while providing accommodations for mine cleanup construction workers. For more about this great example of environmental stewardship by a major mining company, visit HoldenMineCleanup.com.