2014-08-06_INSPECTION - M1999089

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PERMIT#:M-1999-089 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:ERR INSPECTION DATE: July 8,2014 OBSERVATIONS The inspection was conducted by Elliott Russell of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety(Division). Byron Weathers was present for the inspection. The Weathers Mine#1 is located approximately 9.5 miles south and 2.5 miles west of Yuma, Colorado. The site is an active 110c operation with 9.9 acres permitted and the approved post-mining land use is pastureland. This inspection was carried out as a part of the Division's routine monitoring inspection program. At 11:10, the Division met Mr. Weathers at the mine site just south of County Road 29 between County Roads C and D. At the time of the inspection it was partly cloudy and warm, and the ground was dry. The permit identification sign was posted at the entrance to the site. Though this sign did not meet the requirements of Rule 3.1.12(1), Mr. Weathers corrected the sign prior to the date of this report. The permit boundary of the mine was delineated by t-posts. No mining activities were occurring during the time of the inspection, and no equipment was present on site; but there was evidence of recent mining activities observed. The site consisted of two mining areas within the permit; an older dig face was on the western half and a newer dig face was on the eastern half of the site. The western portion of the site had a highwalls (10-20 feet high) along the northern and southern sides, while the western slope was approximately 3H:1 V. The eastern portion of the site, which was most recently active, was approximately 5-10 feet deep. The disturbance boundary is near the limits along the eastern side, but the mine could still progress farther toward the west. The eastern portion of the site contained a large stockpile of red-colored road base material and a smaller stockpile of white-colored overburden material. Topsoil piles were located along the north and south perimeter of the western pit and a much larger pile along the northeast boundary of the eastern pit. The site had some cheat grass, a state-listed noxious weed, and kochia, a nuisance weed that is difficult to eliminate once established. This won't be cited as a problem for now due the small area these cover, but the Division recommends mowing these areas until a different temporary vegetation cover is established. Please note that these species would delay any future bond release requests if they are still present at the site during the release inspection. After further research of the permit files, the approved mining plan stated a 15 foot setback from the permit boundary would be followed and was also reflected in the cost estimate as a reduced acreage for the topsoil and seeding calculations. During the inspection, this setback was not observed: mining had occurred quite close to the southern permit boundary and the large topsoil pile's outside toe was placed right along the northeastern boundary line. This deviation from the approved permit will be cited as a problem and will need corrective action; please refer to page 1 of this report for more information. The reclamation cost estimate was last calculated in the fall of 1999 when the permit was applied for. In accordance with Rule 4.2.1(2),the Division has reviewed the estimated cost to reclaim the site and found that the current bond of$14,260.00 is inadequate. The Division calculated the cost to reclaim the proposed affected disturbance of 9.9 acres to be $22,000.00.Attached for the Operator review, is a copy of the reclamation cost summary. Within 15 days of this report, the Division will issue a Surety Increase revision; please contact me prior to August 21, 2014 to discuss any questions regarding the cost estimate. When the SI is issued, the Operator will then have 60 days to submit the additional bonding of$7,740.00. Photographs taken during the inspection are attached. Page 2 of 6