Stairway to Nowhere Mine Reclamation

Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Ryno Construction was contracted to complete the Stairway to Nowhere abandoned mine reclamation project on public lands near Walsenburg, Colorado. The project aimed to safely close and stabilize multiple hazardous mine features while restoring the surrounding landscape to its natural condition.

Closure methods included:

• Bulkhead closures using masonry walls constructed with mortar and natural stone at adit entrances.

• Machine backfill closures to safely fill and stabilize collapsed or open mine areas.

• Monolithic plug closures, involving concrete pours directly into vertical shafts to stabilize subsurface voids prior to backfill.

• Polyurethane foam (PUF) closures, used to seal shafts while reducing the volume of material needed for backfilling.

Stormwater Management

In addition to mine closures, Ryno Construction implemented stormwater discharge management, completed full site reclamation, and conducted revegetation efforts to return the area to a stable and natural ecological state.

This project highlights Ryno Construction’s capabilities in mine safety, environmental restoration, and technical field operations on Colorado’s public lands.