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Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment <br /> Royal Gorge Field Office DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2019-0056 EA <br /> Site Preparation—Stripping Topsoil and Overburden <br /> Prior to mining, site preparation would consist of vegetation and tree removal and stripping all <br /> topsoil and overburden from Phase 1 (approximately 4 acres; Figure 3). Topsoil would be <br /> utilized to construct stormwater berms and other stormwater controls surrounding the mine <br /> boundary. Any remaining topsoil would be stockpiled in a designated area and stabilized at a 2:1 <br /> slope to be used later during reclamation. The processing pad would be cut to approximately 1.5 <br /> acres and a highwall would be graded to a 2:1 working slope. As excavation continues, slopes <br /> would be improved and inspected to prevent instability and erosion. As Phase 1 reserves are <br /> exhausted, Phase 2 site preparation would begin(approximately 6 acres; Figure 3). Phase 2 <br /> would be prepared similarly to Phase 1 with the processing area and highwall/bench system <br /> moving south as mining progresses. <br /> As the geologic material is continuous throughout the proposed boundary,the operator predicts <br /> no more than 5% overburden material. The operator is anticipating on processing all material <br /> including overburden for a total of 100%product material margin; however, any overburden <br /> waste not processed as product would be stockpiled in a designated area for later use as backfill <br /> during reclamation. <br /> Mining and Processing <br /> The mining method would replicate a standard open pit surface aggregate operation with interval <br /> mining occurring in 2 phases. The mine geometry would be rectangular in shape to take <br /> advantage of the natural slopes and aid in backfilling the site during reclamation. Mining is <br /> proposed to progressively trend toward the south/southeast with an estimated mining depth of 35 <br /> feet and a 2:1 working highwall/bench configuration. Monitoring and maintenance would occur <br /> to ensure highwall stability(e.g. raveling,tension cracks,rock falls etc.). All safety regulations <br /> and precautions (e.g. following all federal, state and county permit/contract stipulations and <br /> monitoring, daily visual inspections, signage, site specific training, etc.)would be taken during <br /> active mining,processing, and hauling. A daily maintenance log would record any compliance or <br /> safety issues and corresponding solution(s). The log would be available in the portable office <br /> trailer for reference by federal, state and county officials and inspectors. <br /> Once the proposed mining area has been stripped and graded, mining would commence by <br /> scraping material top-down from the highwall and pushed to the processing area with a dozer. <br /> The operator does not plan to mine below the bottom elevation of 6,588 feet. The highwall <br /> would be mined along the face of a mountain side that has a top elevation of 6,811 feet. No <br /> blasting is anticipated unless unknown harder material is encountered during active mining. A <br /> licensed blaster would be contracted if blasting is necessary. During blasting, the operator would <br /> follow all Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives(ATF), Mining, Safety and <br /> Health Administration(MSHA) and other agency requirements and obtain all necessary permits. <br /> 8 <br />