Nevada Mine Site Opens 3.5-Acre Park Amid Estimated $257M Arsenic and Lead Cleanup

A former manganese mining site in Henderson, Nevada, contaminated with industrial waste including lead, arsenic, and manganese, is undergoing an estimated $257 million environmental cleanup as part of a major residential redevelopment plan.

From Wartime Mining to Industrial Waste

Operating intermittently between 1917 and 1961, the Three Kids Mine supplied manganese critical for wartime military equipment and steel production. When operations ceased, the 1,165-acre property—with about 410 acres directly affected by mining—was left with open pits, waste rock, tailings ponds, and processing residues containing lead, arsenic, and petroleum-related materials.

The $257 Million Remediation Effort

Following the enactment of the federal Three Kids Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act in July 2014 and a land transfer completed in February 2024, major cleanup activities began in May 2024. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) estimated total remediation costs at approximately $257.5 million, establishing air monitoring plans to oversee the work. While local redevelopment officials have indicated that remediation work is finished, the NDEP's public records continue to list the overall cleanup project as ongoing with active monitoring documents.

Greenbow Park and Future Housing

Marking a visible milestone in the site's transformation, the newly opened 3.5-acre Greenbow Park features pickleball courts, playgrounds, shaded gathering areas, and over 3,000 feet of walking trails with views of the Las Vegas skyline. The park is part of the Aries master-planned community, which eventually expects to feature more than 3,000 homes across 24 neighbourhoods.

• Location: Henderson, Nevada
• Estimated Cleanup Cost: ~$257.5 million
• New Park Size: 3.5 acres
• Planned Housing: >3,000 homes across 24 neighbourhoods

Practical Implications and Verification

Transforming former industrial land into residential zones requires careful regulatory oversight, long-term environmental monitoring, and verified remediation reports. Readers and prospective residents can verify official project updates, closure reports, and environmental compliance documents directly through the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) public project pages or local municipal planning authorities.