March 27 – Carlos Holguin

Between weeks 8 and 12, each student should provide a weekly reflection (500 words) on the data you have collected to date.
- What data did you collect?
  - This past break I focused on how an old school copper smelt would have been operated. I also found a bunch of maps which document all of the old mines sites as well as the one superfund site north of Hurley in the Black Range mountains. Thus, I have maps and as well as some videos which document the location and the copper smelting process. I also have a recent newspaper article which documents clean up of toxic ash which was found in Hurley–cementing the idea the smelter was a tool of pollution.
- What is your initial impression of the data?
  - I feel as though this is a good start. I have a solid understanding go the old smelting process, and I know exactly where the mining activity took place. Thus, I have established how the just how toxins were introduced to the community.
- How have the data you have collected this week changed/progressed your thinking about your research project?
  - To establish the scientific part of my research I need more scientific information on the water table, the air patterns, and acid ground leeching.
- What challenges did you encounter while collecting the data?
  - There is not a lot of data which seems to be collected on the old mines in the Mimbres valley where a lot of this mining is taking place. My guess is there is some information may have never been digitized. Thus, on the human side at least, my worry is this project might be a little slim until I can identify social science work done in the area.
- What are your next steps?
  - I am currently working with Beth to find more information on mining activity in the Mimbres valley.
  - Also, I am going to look to see if I can find material on how acid leeches in to soil and the wind patterns of the Mimbres valley to see just how the hot ash would have spread. I am also going to look into where
  - We are also working to see if we can identify any material which might exist in an offline archive which I can visit at a further date. I am also looking to find local newspapers which I might be able to contact to see if they have saved old copies.
- 2-3 annotations.
  - Anon. n.d. “ArcGIS Web Application.” Retrieved March 27, 2019a (http://nm-emnrd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=6d4b64a5752f4b4bb53000e999ff6a24).Anon. n.d. “Browse – New Mexico Digital Collections Hosted by the University of New Mexico Libraries.” Retrieved March 27, 2019b (https://econtent.unm.edu/digital/collection/SlverCityMu/search/page/10).
    Anon. n.d. “Copper Mining and Processing: Processing of Copper Ores | Superfund.” Retrieved March 27, 2019c (https://superfund.arizona.edu/learning-modules/tribal-modules/copper/processing).
    
    Anon. n.d. “Copper Mining and Production Processes Explained.” European Copper Institute. Retrieved March 27, 2019d (https://copperalliance.eu/about-copper/copper-and-its-alloys/processes/).
    
    Anon. n.d. “Hurley History 1800 – 2005.” Town of Hurley. Retrieved March 27, 2019e (http://townofhurley.us/history-2.html).
    
    Anon. n.d. “Mines near Completion of Hurley Soil Cleanup | Silver City Daily Press.” Retrieved March 27, 2019f (http://www.scdailypress.com/site/2018/01/17/mines-near-completion-of-hurley-soil-cleanup/).
    
    Anon. n.d. “MMQ_Map_Gallery.” Retrieved March 27, 2019g (http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/MMD/MMQ_Map_Gallery.html).
    
    Bill Grosser. n.d. Copper Mining and Refining (Redox).
    
    Bloomberg. n.d. Inside the Resolution Copper Mine, 1.3 Miles Underground.
    
    CopperMountainMining. n.d. The Mining Process at Copper Mountain Mine.
    
    emewCorporation. n.d. Electrowinning 101.
    
    Nithya Neela. n.d. Extraction of Copper.
    
    NV atCEPImperial. n.d. Bingham Canyon Copper Mine.
    
    The Montana Experience: Stories from Big Sky Country. n.d. “Montana Mosaic: The Rise and Fall of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company” (2006).
    
    US EPA, OSRTI. n.d. “CLEVELAND MILL Site Profile.” Retrieved March 27, 2019 (https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/CurSites/srchsites.cfm)
Lopez’s Comments:
- Carlos, again, I really like where you are taking this project. I find it fascinating! So two comments. First, I really like this history of copper smelting in the region. This could allow you to set things up around a history of toxicity in the region. Second, is Hurley in the Mimbres Valley. If so, this would be great. Instead of limiting your focus to Hurley, you could examine the geographic region that share copper mining histories. I do the same thing in my own work. I look at the San Quintin Valley, rather than just particular towns in that region. Well done!

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