Hidalgo Copper Smelter Site, New Mexico

The remote Playas Valley contains the remains of Phelps Dodge’s Hidalgo Copper Smelter, built here in 1971, to process copper from the mines near Silver City, which came by rail through Lordsburg. The remote site was chosen as the process was dirty, emissive, and used toxic materials. The smelter closed in 1999, and has mostly been torn down. Its 600-foot tall stack was toppled in 2007. Remediation efforts, including addressing soil and groundwater contamination, continue. Given the remoteness of the site, most workers lived in a nearby company town called Playas, which has since been turned into a security forces training facility.