Mining suspended near Nile land slide

NILE, Wash. — Saying any renewal of operations could cause additional landslides, the state Department of Natural Resources this morning imposed an emergency order suspending mining at the Simmons and Son Hauling gravel pit.

The order stops the firm from attempting to resume mining in the wake of the 80-acre Nile landslide on the morning of Oct. 11 that partially covered the pit, located along State Route 410.

The order said DNR was prompted to take action after representatives of the pit’s owners indicated they would resume mining.

According to the order, renewal of mining on the 50-acre site would threaten additional slides that could bury additional homes.

“Mining companies normally do not propose mining on active landslides,” the order said. “Mining in these areas are inherently dangerous and pose a tremendous challenge to re-establish a stable slope upon final reclamation.”

Geologists have not determined the cause of the slilde that buried a portion of the highway and dammed the Naches River.

Conjecture exists about whether the pit played a role in triggering the slide.

The pit is located near the western edge of a massive 6-mile landslide that occurred as much as 1 million years ago.

-- David Lester