The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is trying to identify an orange liquid oozing-up out of soil surrounding the former Sheldon Mine in Walker, Arizona, roughly 11 miles from Prescott. Officials are asking people to stay away from it.
A resident first reported the liquid on Thursday near Sheldon Road and Midnight Snap Lane.
ADEQ officials say due to recent heavy rainfall, the substance may be surfacing into nearby areas, but no one knows what it is!
The Walker Fire Department, Yavapai County, and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs are all working to see what the liquid is, if it needs to be cleaned up or is hazardous. However, they say, if anyone has come into contact with it and is experiencing health issues, call your doctor as a precaution.
According to the USGS Mineral Resource Data System, the Sheldon Mine was primarily used for copper mining but also had gold, lead, silver, and zinc.
Local TV news is covering the strange ooze:
