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Decommissioning Plan Schwartzwalder Mine <br /> <br /> <br />RML CO-369-06 <br />Cotter Corporation (N.S.L.) 3 March 2017 <br />collected at the Ore Crusher-Sorter facility. This WWTP was modified extensively in 1982 to <br />meet new, and more stringent, water quality standards for Ralston Creek. <br /> <br />This modification consisted of the addition of one surge tank and the clarifier, the existing <br />filtration and ion-exchange system, and a dewatering system for the solids produced during the <br />sedimentation process. <br /> <br />Further upgrades were completed in 1991 to 1993 with the installation of a second surge tank, a <br />flash mix tank and flocculation basin, and the relocation of the solids dewatering process, which <br />was moved from the Ore Crusher - Sorter Facility to the WWTP. A solids recirculation system <br />was also added to improve the sedimentation process. The last major modification to the WWTP <br />occurred in 1996-1997 when the PLC control and automated alarm systems were installed. <br /> <br />The WWTP was removed from service during 2000-2001. The former ion-exchange system that <br />was constructed on site as the method for treatment of wastewater was decommissioned. <br /> <br /> A new IX treatment system was installed in the OWTP and is currently operating. Relocation of <br />this system from the OWTP to the NWTP is planned pending approval from CDPHE. RML #2 <br />on Figure 2 depicts the boundaries of areas associated with the OWTP and related structures. <br /> <br />1.2.3 Ore Transfer Pad – Decommissioned <br />The Ore Transfer facility functioned as an intermediate transfer terminal during transport of <br />uranium ore from the Mine to the Cotter uranium mill at Canon City, Colorado (Mill). The <br />facility originally consisted of a concrete pad, space for off-pad material storage, and a truck <br />scale. The transfer facility was in continual use until 1983 when over-the-road ore transport was <br />extended directly to the Mine site. <br /> <br />1.2.4 Ore Crusher-Sorter – Decommissioned <br />The Ore Crusher-Sorter Facility was constructed in 1976 as a beneficiation facility at the Mine to <br />improve the grade of mine-run uranium ore produced from the underground mining operations. <br />The removal of low concentration sub ore-grade material from the mine-run ore increased the <br />relative uranium concentration in the remaining ore, which resulted in substantial cost savings <br />for both transportation and final milling. The Ore Crusher-Sorter Facility was last operated as a <br />beneficiation plant for the Mine in 1987. RML #1 on Figure 2 depicts the boundaries of areas <br />associated with the Ore Crusher-Sorter Facility. <br /> <br />1.2.5 Drying Trenches <br />The Drying Trenches were constructed in the early 1970s as evaporation beds to dewater the <br />solids generated during the wastewater treatment process. Settled solids consisted primarily of <br />the barium-radium precipitate from the chemical treatment to remove radium. Solids were <br />removed from settling basins to the Drying Trenches. The water would both drain and evaporate <br />from the solids until suitably dry to remove. The dry solids were disposed at the Mill. The use <br />of the Drying Trenches was terminated in 1983. The bulk of potentially contaminated soils were <br />removed in 1986 and 1987. RML #3 on Figure 2 depicts the approximate boundaries of areas <br />associated with the Drying Trenches facility.