Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT #: M- 2007 -021 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ERR <br />INSPECTION DATE: November 4, 2014 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) conducted an inspection of the Bennett Pit (Permit File No. <br />M- 2007 -021), a Construction Material Limited Impact 110c Operation Reclamation Permit with 9.9 permitted acres and <br />an approved post mining land use of General Agriculture. The mine is located approximately 13 miles south - southwest of <br />Holyoke, Colorado. Elliott Russell, with the Division, inspected the site while Mike Bennett, the Operator, accompanied <br />it. This inspection was carried out as a part of the Division's normal monitoring program. <br />At 7:45, the Division met Mr. Bennett at the mine site, located one half mile south of CR 58, on the west side of CR BB. <br />At the time of the inspection the temperature was cool, the sky was clear, and the ground was damp. The mine site <br />identification sign was observed at the entrance to the site and was in compliance with Rule 3.1.12(1). The permit <br />boundary was delineated by the current land use; the site lies within the wedge of two pivot agricultural fields, along the <br />western boundaries, and the county road, along the eastern boundary. The Operator installed metal t- posts, topped with <br />white PVC pipes, to delineate a maximum allowed disturbance to ensure his mining contractors stay in bounds; this area <br />is entirely within the permit boundary. The site was not currently being mined at the time of the inspection, but there was <br />one excavator on the site. <br />The site currently consists of three separate digging areas. The largest pit area is in the central portion of the permit and is <br />approximately 2 acres in size (for the report, this pit will be referred to as Pit 1). A smaller pit (Pit 2) is located just to the <br />north and is approximately % of an acre in size; is pit is also located just south of an agricultural dike along the northwest <br />boundary of the permit. The third digging area (Pit 3), the smallest of the three at only a few hundred square feet, is <br />located northeast of Pit 2. All three of these digging areas are approximately 10 feet deep and are mined with the <br />excavator by reaching down and removing the material up. Pit 3 appears to have most of its material stockpiled just to the <br />east of it while the material mined from Pits 1 and 2 has been hauled off -site. Topsoil from the three excavations has been <br />piled to the west of Pit 1 and has been vegetated; this non - traditional stockpile appears quite stable because of its low <br />height. <br />Pit 1 and Pit 2 both had standing water during the inspection. This water is from Mr. Bennett's storm water system from <br />his agricultural fields located northwest of the permit area. Due to recent rain storms, the pivot fields were drained through <br />a system of pipes to relocate the storm water to the permit area. The area in which the permit is located was historically a <br />small depression used to hold storm water and allowed it to evaporate, as well as infiltrate into the ground, to keep the <br />agricultural fields dry. As a part of the system, a large dike was built (before the permit) along the southeast side of one of <br />the pivot fields, which now delineates the northwest boundary of the permit. This dike's downstream toe -of -slope is at the <br />northwest crest of Pit 2. During the inspection, the Division observed a portion of Pit 2 encroaching into this toe of the <br />dike. The Division recommends that this segment of Pit 2 be backfilled to 3H:1 V in order to keep the dike stable and not <br />compromise its integrity. <br />There is a haul road separating Pit 1 and Pit 2. During the inspection, the Division observed two large erosion gullies <br />along this haul road and made a safety recommendation that these get filled in and repaired. On November 10, Mr. <br />Bennett submitted photographs to the Division showing that the repairs had been made (one of these has been attached to <br />this report). <br />The reclamation cost estimate was last calculated during the permit application process in 2007. In accordance with Rule <br />4.2.1(2), the Division has reviewed the estimated cost to reclaim the site and found that the current bond of $16,000.00 is <br />adequate for the approved reclamation activities needed at the site in its current condition (t4 acres). Please be aware that <br />the original bond was calculated for the maximum size of disturbance allowed at the site (9.9 acres); the Division has re- <br />calculated the cost estimate for the maximum disturbance and has found the new cost to be $28,000.00. The cost summary <br />sheet for the updated calculation has been attached to this report for the Operator's reference; if more information is <br />needed, the Division will provide the specific task sheets upon request. The Division will not pursue a Surety Increase at <br />this time due to the current size of the disturbance and the anticipated increase in size for the coming year. <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />