2017-08-28_REVISION - M1982200 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Amendment Application Permit M-1982-200 Red Jasper Granite Exhibit C. Revised Mining Plan The permitted area is 4.0 acres, containing undisturbed land and land disturbed by quarrying under the permit. There are granite outcrops on the permit that are mined in two primary areas, the North area and South area. Mining consists of drilling and blasting solid granite, to produce blocks and rubble of various sizes, which are removed from the site; and any further processing occurs offsite. To -date, quarry excavation has been mostly above grade, with no significant "pito resulting from removal of the granite. Removal of the outcropping granite will bring the outcrops down to the elevation of the surrounding land. If excavation of the granite does not remove all outcrops, some highwalls will remain, which will be more fully discussed below. Excavation below the elevation of the surrounding land has the potential to create low areas where water can impound, which we want to avoid. If excavation does continue below the elevation of surrounding land, we will backfill it to the extent that we do not create a pond. We do not anticipate having more than 4 acres disturbed at a time. Disturbance will include quarry areas, highwalls, product stockpiles, topsoil stockpiles, and roads. It is possible that there will still be highwalls in the unmined portions of the granite outcrops at the conclusion of mining, which will be along the margins of the mining areas. Highwalls will be limited to no more than 600 in combined length, steep, but no higher than 30 feet. Highwall reclamation will be discussed in Exhibit D. At any point in time, there will be small stockpiles of mined granite in both the North and South areas. Stockpiling of mined materials is usually very limited, since production from this site is normally closely coordinated with contracts for granite materials. We do not typically mine a significant amount of excess, un - contracted granite. At the end of all mining, all piles of granite blocks will be removed or buried during reclamation. Mining activity has been limited to the North and South areas, but new mining in other areas of the permit will be explored. Most of the known granite is north of the BLM road, and we anticipate that most, if not all, mining will occur north of the road. At the beginning of mining disturbance in a new area, we will begin by removing the trees and stripping any usable topsoil or overburden. Any organic matter from woody debris on the ground will be saved along with the topsoil. Cut trees and other woody debris will be removed from the site or disposed of onsite in accordance with the BLM lease.