2012-10-05_REVISION - M1977342 (14)

Home Browse Search

Climax Molybdenum Company HENDERSON MINE & MILL SWMP Empire & Parshall, CO December, 2011 Page 2-1 2.0 FACILITY DESCRIPTION 2.1 Facilities Facility operations include a mine site, a mill site, an ore conveyance system and a process water treatment plant. Ore is mined in Clear Creek County and hauled through the Williams Fork basin through a ten-mile-long tunnel and over a five-mile-long surface conveyor system to the mill site, which is located in Grand County. These mine and mill sites were constructed in the early 1970's. The current ore conveyance system, which replaced the historic train haulage system, was constructed in the late 1990’s. The entire system serves the primary purpose of mining, hauling and concentrating molybdenum disulfide ore (MoS2), as discussed in further detail below. 2.1.2 Mine The Mine is located in Clear Creek County on the north side of Red Mountain near the confluence of Butler Gulch and the West Fork of Clear Creek. To access the Mine, exit I-70 at Empire (exit 232), Colorado and drive north approximately nine (9) miles on U.S. Highway 40 to the small village of Berthoud Falls. Upon leaving Berthoud falls, take the first road on the left and drive approximately 1.5 miles to the Mine’s main security gate. Facilities at the mine site include shafts, support facilities, storage yards, and one of the Mine’s process water treatment and discharge systems. These facilities are primarily constructed on waste rock that was excavated during development of the Henderson Mine and associated shafts. The mine yard and facilities include approximately 2,843 total acres, of which approximately 2,722 acres are undisturbed and 121 acres are disturbed. Process water associated with the mine site, including domestic sewage and certain industrial discharges, is treated and discharged under CDPS Permit Number CO-0041467. Storm water that is not discharged under the process water permit is discharged via identified storm water outfalls and sheet flow to the West Fork of Clear Creek. 2.1.3 Mill The Mill is located in Grand County, Colorado in the upper Williams Fork River valley approximately 22 miles south of Parshall, Colorado. The mill site and all facilities are on the western side of the Continental Divide in the upper Colorado River drainage basin. To access the Mill, exit I-70 at Silverthorne, Colorado and proceed north on Highway 9 for approximately 12.5 miles to Ute Pass Road. Once on Ute Pass Road drive approximately eight (8) miles east until reaching the mill complex. The Mill’s access road is located just past East Branch reservoir which will be visible on the right. The main security gate is located at the top of the access road. Facilities include the mill complex, tailings impoundment, a gravel pit, and several remote storage yards. The majority of storm water associated with the Mill is routed to the mill process water system. The total disturbed area associated with the Mill is approximately 9,349 acres, of which approximately 7,275 acres are undisturbed and 2,074 acres are disturbed. Process water associated with the mill site is not discharged off-site but is managed under a CDPS Permit Number CO-0000230. Areas not reporting to the process water system, including a gravel pit and remote storage yards, are addressed in this plan. 2.1.4 Ore Haulage System (Conveyor) The above ground portion of the conveyor extends for approximately five miles from the Henderson Mine portal to the Henderson Mill. The conveyor system consists of a drive