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PERMIT #: M-1980-244 <br />INSPECTOR’S INITIALS: AME <br />INSPECTION DATE: August 12, 2015 <br /> <br /> <br />Page 3 of 15 <br />diesel fuel tank and two fuel phase concentrate tanks. All three tanks are double-walled. The fuel phase is <br />heated prior to entering the fuel table. The formed emulsion is mixed with a gassing chemical solution to make <br />it sensitive to detonation. The emulsion (a pink-colored gel-like substance) is stored in three external silos from <br />which the process trucks are gravity loaded. The operation uses three bulk trucks with differential energy <br />technology that allows the blasters to precisely load different density segments into blast holes, improving <br />material fragmentation. <br /> <br />The following acids and salts are stored in the facility for use as a pH regulating agent or a gassing agent: acetic <br />acid, nitric acid, sodium thiocyanate, and ammonium nitrate. Potential sources of pollutants from the facility <br />include, ammonium nitrate solution spills, acid spills, fuel phase concentrate spills, diesel fuel spills, emulsion <br />spills, and wastewater from cleaning floors and equipment which may contain small amounts of ammonium <br />nitrate and/or hydrocarbons. The inspector did not observe any spills in or around the facility, and all hazardous <br />materials appeared to be properly labeled and stored. Facility workers appeared to be maintaining proper logs <br />for material receiving, storage, processing, use, and disposal. The facility appeared to be well maintained. No <br />problems were observed at this facility. <br /> <br />Explosives Storage Area: <br />This facility is located southwest of the Ironclad complex, in the northern portion of the Squaw Gulch <br />Overburden Storage Area. The facility appears to be isolated from any other facilities and structures in the mine <br />by at least 1,000 feet. The facility is slightly less than 0.5 acre in size, and is enclosed by heavy-duty fencing <br />designed to keep unauthorized individuals from entering (Photo 1). The gate can only be opened by authorized <br />workers. Mine staff keep record of all individuals that enter the facility. Video surveillance cameras are posted <br />on light posts around the perimeter of the facility. The inspector was escorted through the facility by Mr. Cash <br />and Mr. Campbell. <br /> <br />At one end of the facility is a cluster of six sheds (magazines; Photo 2), each storing a particular component <br />used in blasting (e.g., caps, boosters). Inside of the sheds, materials are stored neatly with boxes rotated so that <br />labels are easily visible (Photo 3). In addition, some products are color coded for ease of identification. All <br />associated permits and licenses are displayed on the inside wall of each shed. Authorized staff maintain detailed <br />inventory sheets for all materials, including date, name of signing staff, and quantity of material received or <br />used. These sheets are kept inside each shed. A broom is stored inside each shed to help staff keep the shed <br />floors free of dust and debris. AMES Construction uses the two sheds closest to the entrance. <br /> <br />A backup generator is stored at the other end of the facility, closest to the entrance (Photo 4). Mr. Cash stated <br />that everything in the facility is properly grounded. He also indicated that the facility design and procedures <br />were primarily dictated by Homeland Security’s rules governing the storage of explosives. The facility appears <br />to be well maintained. No problems were observed at this facility. <br /> <br />Manual Water Level Readings: <br />In the inspection report from 07/21/2015, the inspector noted that the water level readings for the AGVLF Phase <br />II and III pond piezometer [piezo (pipe)] have been remarkably constant given the variability in the three Phase <br />II & III HVSCS pump transducer readings. The Division had recorded 31.8 feet for the piezo (pipe) during both <br />the February and March inspections, and 30.9 feet during the May, June, and July inspections. In the <br />07/21/2015 report, the inspector recommended the operator verify that the piezo (pipe) is functioning properly. <br /> <br />During the current inspection, the inspector recorded a transducer value of 30.9 feet for the piezo (pipe), which <br />now makes four months that the same value has been recorded. During the inspection, Mr. Campbell explained <br />that the transducer in the piezo (pipe) is calibrated to read 30.9 feet whenever the water level is lower than this <br />value. The Division understands that the piezo (pipe) should be located outside of the radius of influence from