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PERMIT #: M- 1989 -095 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ERR <br />INSPECTION DATE: April 28, 2014 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The inspection was conducted by Elliott Russell of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). <br />Randy Schafer of Phillips County was present for the inspection. The Schneller Clay Pit is located <br />approximately 9 miles southeast of Holyoke, Colorado. The site is an active 110c operation with 9.9 acres <br />permitted and the post- mining land use is rangeland. This inspection was carried out as a part of the Division's <br />routine monitoring inspection program. <br />At 12:30, the Division and Mr. Schafer arrived at mine entrance along County Road 49. At the time of the <br />inspection it was cold and windy, and the ground was dry. The mine site identification sign was observed at the <br />entrance to the mine. The boundary corners of the pit were delineated by short fence posts. <br />No mining activities were occurring during the time of the inspection and no equipment was on site. No <br />evidence of recent mining activities was observed; the site had been revegetated by volunteer species. Mr. <br />Schafer stated that this site was going to be reclaimed in the coming years because the last excavation occurred <br />in 2012, but a new foreman with Phillips County wanted to excavate more clay out of this pit. <br />The boundary markers' point locations were taken by a Trimble Juno 3B GPS unit. It appears these markers <br />have been incorrectly placed because the acreage inside of them is greater than 9.9. In addition, mining <br />disturbance has occurred beyond these markers on the western and southern boundary lines. Based on Google <br />Earth imagery analysis, the total disturbance acreage is greater than 2 acres over the approved 9.9 permitted <br />acreage. The Division considers mining more than 2 acres outside of the approved permit boundary as a <br />violation for mining without a permit. A Reason To Believe letter that a violation exists will be sent with or <br />under a separate cover of this report. <br />Photographs taken during the inspection are attached. <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />