Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT#: M-1984-094 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br /> INSPECTION DATE: July 10,2014 <br /> are discharged into the settling pond. The wash water is then routed to an infiltration pond where it infiltrates <br /> back into the water table. This is a standard method of discharging water from a wash plant. The materials <br /> that are being placed into the settling pond are the same materials which were mined. While the wash water <br /> appears to be discolored and turbid, the placement of the sediment and fines back into the ground does not <br /> pose a threat to ground water quality. <br /> The complainants expressed a general concern over surface water pollution to the middle fork of the South <br /> Platte River. The Operator is not authorized to discharge into the South Platte River; all wash water is <br /> contained on site and infiltrates into the ground. The Division inspected the river at locations upstream and <br /> downstream of the operation and found the water was clear and did not show signs of sediment entering the <br /> waterway. Surface runoff at the site is controlled through perimeter ditches. The Division traversed the <br /> perimeter ditch, referred to as Ditch No. 1 in the permit file, and found it is well maintained. However, the <br /> Division found that Ditch No. 2 had been partially blocked with fill material. The ditches are to be maintained <br /> for the life of the mine until the site has been successfully reclaimed. The failure to maintain Ditch No.2 has <br /> been cited as a problem; please see the first page of this report for additional information. The Operator is <br /> required to maintain a setback of 100 feet between the excavation and the bank of the South Platte River. The <br /> Division collected several GPS points along the northern edge of the excavation. Using the coordinates <br /> collected along the northern perimeter of the ditch, the Division was able to determine that the Operator is <br /> maintaining the required 100 foot setback from the bank of the river. It should be noted that portions of the <br /> perimeter ditches and the earthen berm on the south side of the perimeter ditch are closer than 100 feet to <br /> the river. <br /> The Operator is authorized to conduct wet mining and it is anticipated that groundwater will be exposed when <br /> excavation reaches a depth of 50 feet or greater. The evaporative depletions associated with wet mining are <br /> covered through a Temporary Substitute Water Supply Plan (WDID 2302535) that is valid through October <br /> 2014. In addition, the Operator holds a Well Permit (No. 77305-F) for the exposed groundwater at the site. <br /> The Operator is not to expose more than 1.29 acres of groundwater at the site. The Operator holds two water <br /> rights for the consumptive use of water at the mine: 2 cfs from Sacramento Creek for placer mining purposes <br /> and 2.13 acre feet of Cottage Grove Reservoir water. The Division found that the Operator is compliance with <br /> all applicable Colorado water laws and regulations governing injury to existing water rights, as well as <br /> statewide water quality standards. <br /> The Division inspected fuel and oil storage areas and found that fuel was being properly stored within a lined <br /> berm. However, the Division observed improper storage of used motor oil. The Operator has a designated <br /> tank for used motor oil that is periodically emptied by an oil disposal contractor. The Operator had placed <br /> used oil into numerous five gallon buckets, some of which did not have lids, which were located around the <br /> used oil tank. The improper storage of oil has been cited as a problem and will require corrective action by the <br /> Operator. <br /> This concluded the inspection. <br /> Page 3 of 6 <br />