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PERMIT#: M-1984-094 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br /> INSPECTION DATE: July 10,2014 <br /> INSPECTION TOPIC: Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan <br /> PROBLEM/POSSIBLE VIOLATION: Problem: The Operator has failed to follow the approved Mining Plan which <br /> states there will be a ditch (Ditch No. 2) along the northern perimeter of the site. <br /> CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: The Operator shall replace Ditch No. 2 along the northern perimeter of the site on or <br /> before the corrective action date. <br /> CORRECTIVE ACTION DUE DATE: 8/01/14 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division). Michael Pfister of Golden Cross Aggregate was also present for the inspection. The Gloria Z Mine is <br /> located approximately one mile northwest of Fairplay, CO on the south side of the middle fork of the South <br /> Platte River. The site is permitted for 45.04 acres and the post-mining land use is rangeland and developed <br /> water resource. <br /> The inspection was conducted in response to a citizen complaint that was received by the Division on June 9, <br /> 2014. The complaint was submitted by Mrs. Eileen Schmidt and Mr. John Schmidt and was forwarded to the <br /> Division by the Park County Advisory Board to the Environment (ABE). In addition, ABE submitted comments <br /> from a public meeting held on June 17, 2014. The concerns identified in the public meeting held by ABE and in <br /> the letter submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt included the following: <br /> 1. Hours of Operation <br /> 2. Noise levels <br /> 3. Adverse impact on property values <br /> 4. Dust and air pollution <br /> 5. Pollution of ground water <br /> 6. Pollution of surface water <br /> 6. Water rights <br /> The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the site was in full compliance with the approved Mining <br /> and Reclamation Plans. The Division does not regulate hours of operation, noise levels or adverse impacts to <br /> property values; these aspects of a mining operation are typically regulated on the county level. Issues such as <br /> dust/air pollution, pollution of groundwater, pollution of surface water and water rights are either directly or <br /> indirectly regulated by the Division and were the focus of this inspection. <br /> The Gloria Z mine was actively operating at the time of the inspection; the commodities of interest at the site <br /> include sand/gravel and gold. The internal access roads were adequately wet and no fugitive dust was <br /> observed. The Operator holds an APEN permit (No. 93PA1053F) with the Colorado Department of Public <br /> Health and Environment-Air Pollution Control Division. The Operator is currently excavating in the northern <br /> portion of the mine site;the excavation was approximately 40 feet in depth. The Operator is authorized to <br /> excavate to a depth of 100 feet. The pit walls in the area of excavation were at the natural angle of repose or <br /> near vertical. The approved Mining Plan states that pit walls will be maintained at 45 degrees from horizontal. <br /> The failure to maintain the pit walls at 45 degrees has been cited as a problem; please see the first page of this <br /> report for additional information. The mined material is trucked over to the northwest corner of the site <br /> where it enters the gold recovery operation. The material is run through a trommel and sluice before the fines <br /> Page 2 of 6 <br />