2021-05-06_HYDROLOGY - M1977493

• Permit No: M1977493
• IBM Index Class Name: HYDROLOGY
• Doc Date: 5/6/2021
• Doc Name: Correspondence
• From: Climax Molybdenum
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: DMC
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Chmax Molybdenum Climax Mine
Highway 91 - Fremont Pass
A Freeport-McMoRan Company Climax,one
ppy Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Sent by Email
May 3, 2021 R 7 GENE©
Mr.Dustin Czapla,Environmental Protection Specialist MAY 0 6 2021
Colorado Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety
1313 Sherman St.,Rm.215 ASION OF RECLAMATION
Denver,CO 80203 MiNINGANDSAFETy
Re: PDWTP Influent Pipeline—Climax Mine Permit No. M-1977-493
Dear Mr. Czapla:
Climax is providing this 5-day follow-up written notice pursuant to Rule 8.2.3 of the DRMS Rules and
Regulations for Hard Rock,Metal, and Designated Mining Operations. On Tuesday,April 27,2020,
Climax identified a small leak(approximately 10 gallons per minute(gpm))from the Climax Property
Discharge Water Treatment Plant(PDWTP)influent pipeline,which it conservatively considered as a
potential failure or imminent failure of an Environmental Protection Facility(EPF)pursuant to Rule
8.1(b). Climax left a voicemail with Environmental Protection Specialist Dustin Czapla at approximately
4:30pm on April 27,2021 and spoke to Environmental Protection Specialist Lucas West at approximately
9:30am on April 28,2021 in accordance with Rules 8.2.1(a)and 3.1.13(1).
Climax also reported this incident to CDPHE pursuant to the Colorado Water Quality Control Act(§ 25-
8-601(2), C.R.S.). Consistent with Rule 3.1.13(3),attached is a copy of the 5-day written notification to
CDPHE.
Description of Incident:
The incident occurred at the Climax Mine located at Fremont Pass—Highway 91 Climax,CO 80429. At
12:30pm on April 27,2021 an operator maintaining the road associated with the West Interceptor noticed
excess water flowing on the road and into the West Interceptor. The West Interceptor is a stormwater
diversion conveyance that flows to an area called the mixing zone where water from the West Interceptor,
East Interceptor,and effluent from the Climax PDWTP come together. From here the water flows to
Outfall 001A under Climax's Colorado Discharge Permit System(CDPS)permit(No. CO0000248)and
into Temnile Creek.
At 1:45pm Climax confirmed that the water was coming from a small leak in the PDWTP influent
pipeline located adjacent to the West Interceptor. Once this determination was made,the pump that feeds
the pipeline was shut down and a berm was placed on the West Interceptor road to prevent additional
water from entering the West Interceptor. The flow into the West Interceptor was stopped/contained on
April 27,2021 at approximately 3:30pm. It is estimated that approximately 1,800 gallons of water flowed
into the West Interceptor before the pipeline stopped discharging.
Required Information under Rule 8.2.3, paragraphs(a)through(e):
(a) actions taken to respond to and correct the emergency situation or condition;
Climax Response: The pump that feeds the pipeline was shut down and a berm was placed on the