Gold King Mine spill

The Gold King Mine spill occurred in August 2015 in Colorado, when an EPA-led construction project accidentally triggered a massive release of polluted water and mining waste from the abandoned mine. This uncontrolled flow released about 3 million gallons of contaminated water containing heavy metals like arsenic and lead into the Animas River, turning it orange and causing environmental and water quality concerns downstream. The spill highlighted issues of mining legacy pollution and the importance of careful mine management. It resulted in environmental damage, health concerns, and scrutiny of EPA procedures, emphasizing the need for improved risk assessment in such projects.