2015-03-23_REPORT - M1977424 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Logan Wash Mine Annual Report Permit No. M- 1977 -424 (0.42 ft.) amounts of movement. The June 2014 survey also noted that 2 of 6 extension stakes have shown minor (0.07 ft.) amounts of movement. This movement is localized as no movement has been detected in the other extension stakes or survey monuments. Further measurements in 2015 will evaluate if there is a trend in this movement. Physical observations of the Daylight Bench do not indicate ongoing slope failure. 5.0 Maintenance Activities Maintenance activities included periodic inspections of mine roads, benches, portals, mine water drainage systems associated with the retorts and general mine workings, as well as the inspection of Evaporation Pond facilities including the pond's liner, security fencing, operation, and leak detection system. Maintenance activities conducted at the mine and Evaporation Pond are summarized in the following sections. 5.1 Mine Maintenance During the reporting period, inspections of the Logan Wash Mine site occurred on a weekly to monthly basis during April, 2014 through February, 2015. The upper mine facilities are usually not accessible from December through March due to deep snowpack and poor road conditions, but light snowpack in early winter allowed reasonable access by vehicle and on foot. Inspections focused on mine roads, headwalls, portal closures, bench surfaces, dump faces, constructed storm drainage and rip -rap channels. Mine water discharge rates and Evaporation Pond water levels were periodically monitored and recorded (Section 3.2). Road maintenance activities included grading of the running surface of the Upper Access Road from the main Logan Wash Road to the Research Mine Bench, and the Evaporation Pond Road. The road maintenance also included the maintenance of stormwater runoff ditches and waterdips. Grading of the Lower Bench Road was avoided in the interest of protecting P. debilis habitat (see Section 8.0). However, in February, 2014, snow removal grading was conducted on Logan Wash Mine road from the Lower Access Road to the Upper Access Road, and for the entire length of the Upper Access Road and the Lower Bench Road. This was done to allow access to assess transplanting of P. debilis plants from the Lower Bench Road in March, 2015. 5.2 Evaporation Pond Maintenance Maintenance of the Evaporation Pond included inspection of. 1) discharge rates to the pond from the mine retort water plumbing system; 2) the leak detection vault; 3) wildlife security fence; 4) stormwater drainage ditches; and 5) general conditions of the pond, liner, and egress ladders. The Lower and Upper Manhole sumps were pumped clean of sludge using a wastewater contractor. The leak detection vault battery storage container was replaced. No liner repair was conducted in the reporting period. Other minor repairs were conducted when needed. 6.0 Anticipated Reclamation in the Year 2015 Because the fate of mine water and retort water discharge is currently being assessed under Amendment No. 1, OOSI does not anticipate revegetation or reclamation of any unreclaimed roads or disturbed surface areas at the mine site in 2015. Saplings that were planted on the mine dump faces will be assessed for overall health and mortality. No mechanical irrigation of these saplings is anticipated. Evaporation Pond maintenance will be conducted as needed. Roads not reclaimed will be maintained. Some transplanting of P. debilis plants is anticipated in March, 2105. Transplanting will be conducted Western Water & Land, Inc.