2015-03-31_INSPECTION - M1985029

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PERMIT #: M-1985-029 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC INSPECTION DATE: March 31, 2015 OBSERVATIONS Ths inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division). Jim Murray of High Mountain Mining Co., LLC was also present for the inspection. The Alma Placer Mine is located on the east end of the Town of Alma in Park County, Colorado. The site is permitted for 216.10 acres, with a maximum allowed disturbance of 136.80 acres. The primary commodities mined are gold and aggregate. The Division conducted this inspection in response to the submittal of an Amendment Application on February 4, 2015. The Amendment Application was submitted in order to comply with a Mined Land Reclamation Board Order dated December 5, 2014. Details regarding the violation issued by the Mined Land Reclamation Board may be found in the Division's inspection report dated October 3, 2014. The Amendment Application was submitted to update and clarify how water is managed at the mine, including but not limited to a review of all water lines and valves, the size and location of all sediment ponds and ditches, and a review of the stormwater design calculations. The purpose of the inspection was to verify that all site conditions and facilities were accurately represented in the application. The permit sign was posted at the site entrance as well as Notice of the Amendment Application. There are two separate Operators who conduct mining under the Alma Placer Mine Reclamation Permit. The operations consist of gravel mining and gold mining. The gravel mining operation primarily processes gravel from the gold operation and reclaims pre -law disturbance by processing and removing historic dredge piles. The site was not active at the time of the inspection. However, the Operator of the gold operaiton was beginning to setup equipment for this year's mining season. The trommel was set up approximately 1,000 ft. southwest of the gold processing building. The existing pit sits between the trommel and gold processing building. Once active mining operations resume the existing pit will be backfilled and the new pit will be excavated to the east of the trommel. The Operator has already started to strip topsoil in this area. In addition, the Operator'has stockpiled wash fines north of the trommel along with a mulch stockpile. There is little topsoil available onsite, so the Operator will rely on wash fines to establish vegetation during final reclamation of the site. The Division inspected all four of the sediment ponds. The Operator had completed the clean out of Sediment Pond # 3 and # 4, which was accomplished with a floating suction dredge. Cleaning of Sediment Pond # 1 and # 2 will occur when active operations resume and will be done mechanically. As noted above, the primary purpose of the inspection was related to water management at the site. The Division confirmed the Operator completed the following actions in regard to water management at the mine site: 1. The terminus of the freshwater intake pipe was raised above the top bank of Sediment Pond # 4 so that water from the pond cannot backflow through the pipe into the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. 2. The freshwater intake pipe was fitted with a self-closing backflow prevention gate. 3. Signage was installed at the valve which diverts the freshwater intake pipe to either the Processing Plant or Sediment Pond # 4. 4. Sediment Pond # 3 and # 4 have been cleaned out. In addition, the Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) conducted an inspection of the site on December 1, 2014 to determine if the operation needed a Colorado Discharge Permit (CDP). The WQCD concluded that a CDP was not required at this time. Page 2 of 5