2016-03-23_REVISION - M1982075 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mosch Exploration and Mining, LLC P.O. Box 1484 Idaho Springs, CO 80452 RECEIVED MAR 2 3 2016 DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MINING AND SAFETY March 23, 2016 Mr. Michael Cunningham Environmental Protection Specialist RE: Phoenix Mine; DRMS File No. M-1982-075; Modification to Reclamation Plan. Dear Mr. Cunningham, Please consider this letter as the application for a Technical Revision and a request to file for Temporary Cessation status of the Phoenix Mine's Reclamation Permit, M-1982-075, located in Clear Creek County.We would like to attain the Temporary Cessation status to allow us to complete all task required to reclaim the operation. We do not plan to continue conducting exploration or mining activities since we have no ore and it is unlikely that we would find an ore body of high enough grade and large enough in size to overcome the high cost of mining and mineral processing. History of Phoenix Mine Permit and Need for the Revision The Phoenix mine is historic gold and silver mine located in Clear Creek County, Colorado.This property was a significant producer of high grade gold ore from 1910 through 1942. It became inactive due to government order during World War II, since property was not producing commodities necessary for the war effort. During its productive time, it produced more than 30,000 ounce of gold. In early 1960's, Alvin and Patricia Mosch acquired the property with hopes of re-opening it as a producing mine. There early geologic investigations reviled several likely targets for economic ore bodies at that time. In 1974,a significant discovery was made and the property was re-opened for the purpose of defining the possible ore zone and producing small amounts of rock containing gold, silver and copper for testing purposes. In 1982, a 110 Hard Rock Limited Impact permit was obtained from the State of Colorado to comply with the new mining reclamation laws at that time. This permit allowed development and exploration activities with a limited production to take place. The permit specified that all waste rock and tailings from milling would be placed in underground openings created by previous mining in the 1930's and 1940's. It also allowed a small mineral concentration plant to be constructed on the surface. Reclamation plans were not specified in great detail but were satisfactory for that time.The initial permit did state that the mine would be reclaimed as a tourist mine. During 1988 the Alvin, Patricia and David Mosch (The Mosch family) decided to conduct guided tours on the main level of the mine. Since that time, the tour business has been very profitable and is the primary activity taking place at the Phoenix mine at this time.