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BEFORE THE MINED LAND RECLAMATION BOARD <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND ORDER <br />ORDER ON DIVISION OF MINING RECLAMATION AND SAFETY'S <br />REQUEST TO TERMINATE MINING OPERATIONS OF PINION RIDGE <br />MINING, LLC'S SUNDAY MINE COMPLEX, File Nos. M-1978-039 (St. <br />Jude Mine), M-1981-021 (West Sunday Mine), M-1980-055HR (Topaz Mine), <br />M-1977-285 Sunda Mine), M-1977-416 Carnation Mine <br />THIS MATTER came before the Mined Land Reclamation Board ("Board") on <br />July 21, 2020 via video conference for a hearing regarding the Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety's ("Division") request to terminate the mining <br />operations of Pinon Ridge Mining, LLC's ("Operator") for the mines known as the <br />Sunday Mine Complex, file numbers M-1978-039 (St. Jude Mine), M-1981-021 (West <br />Sunday Mine), M-1980-055HR (Topaz Mine), M-1977-285 (Sunday Mine), M-1977- <br />416 (Carnation Mine). Lucas West and First Assistant Attorney General Jeff Fugate <br />appeared on behalf of the Division. Frederick Aldrich, Esq., George Glazier, and <br />Frank Filas, P.E. of Filas Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc, appeared on <br />behalf of Operator. Jeff Parsons, Esq. appeared on behalf of Intervenors Information <br />Network for Responsible Mining, Earthworks, Sheep Mountain Alliance, San Juan <br />Citizens Alliance, Uranium Watch, Living Rivers, and Conservation Colorado <br />("Intervenors"). <br />The Board, having considered the presentations and testimony of the <br />Division, Operator and Intervenors, and being otherwise fully informed of the facts <br />in the matter, enters the following: <br />FINDINGS OF FACT <br />1. Operator holds 112d-2, 112d-3, 110d, and 100d permits for five <br />uranium and vanadium mines in San Miguel County. <br />2. Operator requested that the Sunday Mine Complex mines be placed <br />into temporary cessation, which became effective on April 19, 2015. <br />3. The Sunday Complex Mines have not had recorded production of ore <br />since 2009. <br />4. Through a letter dated May 21, 2019, received by the Division on June <br />6, 2019, Operator submitted notification that it intended to "commence operations <br />beginning June 3, 2019" at the Sunday, Carnation, and St. Jude Mines. <br />