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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 PINION RIDGE MINING, LLC'S NOTICE OF TEMPORARY
<br />CESSATION FOR 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 (Sunday Mine), M-1977-416 (Carnation Mine)
<br />THIS MATTER came before the Mined Land Reclamation Board {"Board") on
<br />October 21, 2020 via video conference for a hearing regarding Pifion Ridge Mining,
<br />LLC's ("Operator") notice of temporary cessation for the mines known as the Sunday
<br />Mine Complex, file numbers M-1978-039 (St. Jude Mine), M- 1981-021 (West Sunday
<br />Mine), M-1980-055HR (Topaz Mine), M-1.977-285 (Sunday Mine), M-1977-416
<br />(Carnation Mine). Lucas West and First Assistant Attorney General Jeff Fugate
<br />appeared on behalf of the Division Mining, Reclamation and Safety ("Division!').,
<br />Frederick Aldrich, Esq., George Glazier, and Frank Filas, P.E. of Fiias Engineering
<br />and Environmental Services, Inc. appeared on behalf of Operator. Jeff Parsons, Esq.,
<br />Lexi Tuddenham, and Jennifer Thurston appeared on behalf of Objectors Information
<br />Network for Responsible Mining, Earthworks, Sheep Mountain Alliance, San Juan
<br />Citizens Alliance, Uranium Watch, Living Rivers, and Conservation Colorado
<br />("Objectors").2
<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, collectively known as the
<br />Sunday Mine Complex.
<br />2. Following a hearing on the Division's request to terminate the permits
<br />for the mines in the Sunday Mine Complex, held during the Board July 21, 2020
<br />meeting, the Board ;issued an Order denying the Divisions request. The Order,
<br />which became effective on October 9, 2020, concluded that "[u]oder Rules 1, 13.2 and
<br />1 The Division was advisory staff to the Board, not a party, in this proceeding.
<br />2 Objectors' request for party status in the proceeding was granted through a
<br />separate order on October 14, 2020.
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