A Time-Critical Removal Action began in September 2009 to address the hazards associated with the former Gulf State Steel Powerhouse, lagoons and Slag Piles.
Remaining removal activities: Slag pile processing, remaining waste lagoon management (2) and slag pile landfill creation. The slag piles are the source of continued release of characteristic hazardous waste. The caustic leachate containing pH values as high as 12.5 from the slag piles is directly discharging into Black Creek, an adjacent wetland area, and a residential neighborhood from drainage ditches outside the Site fence. Sloughing of slag from the piles has been observed on both the northern and southern piles. The sloughing allows for the production of more leachate due to the increase in surface area of new unweathered slag.
Slag processing from both the North and South piles continues. Material from both piles is transported to two on-site processing facilities for separation. Recyclable material is transported off-site. Non-recyclable material is moved to an area close to the North pile for consolidation in an on-Site Landfill and capping to halt the further production of high pH leachate.
Leachate coming from slag piles is currently being monitored for pH. pH ranges from 9 to 12.5. Air monitoring for particulates is also conducted during operations.
Material is de-watered if necessary before processing. Dust control continues.
The main waste pile has been recontoured to eliminate sloughing.
USCG GST on-site to assist with ERRS and START contractor oversight, including the operation of Data-rams for air monitoring.
On-site refinement of the grade "C" fines was not successful and has been discontinued.
• Recycled non ferrous and ferrous metal for May 12,122,040 lbs
• Recycled non ferrous and ferrous metal for task order (coke ovens + powerhouse + slag piles 395,950,560 lbs
• Recycled non ferrous and ferrous for slag piles total 365,012,821 lbs
• Materials awaiting shipment off-site, A-1,000 tons, B-8,000 tons, C-750,000 tons, Skulls- 100 tons, Oversized- 100 tons
• To date 76% of North pile has been processed
• To date 40% of South pile has been processed
Slag screening, reclamation and leachate reduction operations will continue.
On June 26, 2012, a sampling event was held to provide GIP with material from the North and South piles as well as the "C" fines area.
Due to very low metals prices, The daily adjusted daily burn rate has increased. In order to maintain continuity of operations until the beginning of the new fiscal year, operations have been reduced to a 10 hour, 4 day/week work week. Overtime has been eliminated for all workers. However, this step alone may not be enough to ensure that operations will be fully funded with the current allocation.
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