Two Tar Creek mining companies sue Quapaw Tribe

There's a new twist in the legal battle over who's responsible for cleaning up the Tar Creek superfund site. <br><br>Court documents obtained by the News on 6 show two mining companies are suing

Friday, January 30th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

There's a new twist in the legal battle over who's responsible for cleaning up the Tar Creek superfund site.

Court documents obtained by the News on 6 show two mining companies are suing the Quapaw tribe. The companies say the tribe contributed to the devastation caused by decades of lead and zinc mining.

The Quapaws filed suit in December, claiming mining operations destroyed tribal land with acid mine water and mountains of toxic mine tailings.

The companies say if they're liable, the court should also find the Quapaws liable, for buying property they believed was contaminated and for continuing to sell the mining gravel they believe is poisoned with lead and other heavy metals.