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PERMIT#:M-1996-064 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:TCW <br /> INSPECTION DATE:June 11,2014 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> This was a normal routine operation inspection conducted by TC Wait of DRMS. Mr. Rob Tibbetts of Denver <br /> Brick represented the operator during the site visit. The site is located about 3.5 miles south of Parker on <br /> Crowfoot Valley Road on the north side of Lemon Gulch. Post-mine land use for this site is rangeland. <br /> The permit area is 40.24 acres with a maximum allowed disturbed area of 20.8 acres in three phases. The <br /> mine permit stipulates that a maximum of 10 acres will be disturbed at any one time; approximately 18 acres <br /> were disturbed at the time of the site visit. This discrepancy has been cited as a problem and requires <br /> corrective action. <br /> At the time of the inspection,the permit sign was in place and the permit boundary was delineated by corner <br /> posts. The site was last mined in 2012. Mr.Tibbetts indicated that the mine is expected to be active this <br /> summer season. Phase 1 (including the eastern portion of phase 3) has been mined but not fully reclaimed, <br /> phase 2 is currently being mined, and the majority of phase 3 has not yet been mined (although portions are <br /> disturbed from mining activity). A small portion of the northern disturbed area has been graded and sparsely <br /> vegetated. <br /> The pits contain standing water from storm run-off,as does the detention pond in the southern portion of the <br /> site. Erosion on the pad and in the pits has created rills and gullies in several areas. Mr.Tibbetts indicated <br /> that he planned on blading the site to remove the rills and allow water to better infiltrate instead of ponding <br /> in the pit, but was waiting until after the planned mining activity this summer. <br /> Noxious weeds, including knapweed and musk thistle, were observed on the site, particularly in the southern <br /> part around the detention pond. A weed control plan is in the permit file (2006) and should be implemented. <br /> This is cited as a problem and requires corrective action. <br /> A stockpile is located to the west of the Phase 2 pit. Mr.Tibbetts estimated 11,000 tons of material in the <br /> stockpile. Topsoil has been stockpiled to the northwest of Phase 1 and in the southern portion of the site by <br /> the detention pond. Mr.Tibbetts stated that minimal overburden has been encountered. <br /> Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 pits have near-vertical highwalls, to a depth of 25-40 feet. The reclamation plan <br /> indicates that the final grading for the site will be at a 3h:1v slope in the northwest portion of the mine, <br /> sloping to the southeast with the pit floor around a 3-4%grade. Currently,the phase 2 pit has a steep <br /> highwall adjacent to the eastern permit boundary. It is not clear how the final grading for this highwall will be <br /> achieved. There does not appear to be overburden stockpiles that could be used to backfill, and the proximity <br /> to the eastern boundary would not allow for a 3h:1v slope to be cut. This is cited as a problem and requires <br /> corrective action. <br /> Several t-posts were observed on the site marking boring locations that were drilled circa 2010 within the <br /> mine permit area. These locations appear to be abandoned; no evidence of casing or cuttings was observed. <br /> The revised mine plan should include discussion on drilling that may occur on the site in the future. <br /> A disturbed area of about 18 acres was noted south of Lemon Gulch. Eroded gullies and standing water were <br /> observed. The site has not been reclaimed, but has revegetated to some degree. This disturbed area is not <br /> Page 3 of 7 <br />