Mexico Warns of Spilled Mine Contaminants in River Flowing Into Arizona

"TUCSON, Ariz. — Authorities are testing water from the San Pedro River in southern Arizona that may be contaminated with toxic waste that traveled north after a massive copper mine spill in Mexico this summer.

Mexican officials on Monday issued a binational alert that contaminated water had made its way into the San Pedro River, which runs north to Pinal County in Arizona.

The contamination came from Buenavista del Cobre mine in Cananea, said Carlos Jesus Arias, director of the Sonora state civil protection agency.

Officials have not said how much waste leaked, or what exactly was in the spill."

Astrid Galvan reports for the Associated Press September 22, 2014.

Source: AP, 09/23/2014