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4. Under Operator's reclamation permit, water discharged from the mine is <br /> routed to a lined mine water collection pond. The lined pond acts as a settling pond for <br /> suspended solids contained within the mine discharge water. Water is then pumped into <br /> a tank where chemicals are added to achieve water quality levels, levels are checked, <br /> and then the treated water is directed out of the tank and redirected to a stream through <br /> a sump. Storm water is required to be impounded in a separate pond, sampled, treated <br /> (if necessary), and discharged via the sump system. <br /> 5. On October 11, 2021, the Division conducted an inspection of the site. <br /> The inspection report, dated October 21, 2021, noted a possible violation because <br /> Operator's water quality monitoring and treatment operations were not operating in <br /> accordance with the Operator's reclamation permit. The mine water conveyance <br /> system from the portal to the mine water pond was blocked, allowing discharge water to <br /> bypass the mine water pond and eater the storm water pond. Both ponds were at <br /> maximum capacity with no room for additional storm water or mine water inputs. The <br /> sump used to discharge treated mine water and tested storm water was silted in with <br /> sediment and inoperable. <br /> 6. The Division also included corrective actions and deadlines in the October <br /> 21, 2021 inspection report requiring Operator to remedy the issues noted in the possible <br /> violation. The Division gave Operator 30 days submit written and photo documentation <br /> that it had resumed water treatment operations and 60 days to submit a detailed follow- <br /> up report. <br /> 7. On November 1, 2021, the Division sent Operator a Reason to Believe a <br /> Violation Exists and Notice of Board Hearing detailing the alleged violation and notifying <br /> Operator that the matter had been set for a hearing at the Board's December 2021 <br /> meeting. <br /> 8. The Division received a letter from Operator on December 1, 2021 that <br /> explained Operator's efforts to comply with the corrective actions listed in the Division's <br /> October 21, 2021 inspection report. <br /> 9. At the Board's December 15, 2021 meeting, the Division presented <br /> testimony regarding the site and the issues with Operator's water treatment system. <br /> The violation occurred primarily because the grate for the discharge channel in front of <br /> the portal was obstructed. Because of that obstruction, mine water was discharged <br /> around the lined settling pond and flowed freely. The water was obviously of impaired <br /> quality and left staining as it flowed around the site. The obstruction of the discharge <br /> channel had been there for an undetermined period of time. <br /> 10. The Division also provided testimony regarding a subsequent inspection it <br /> conducted in December 2021. Operator was onsite during the inspection and was <br /> treating water.Approximately 9,800 gallons of water had been treated and discharged <br /> at that time. Though water had been treated and the level of the mine discharge pond <br /> LKA International Inc., <br /> M-1 978-091-LIG <br /> MV 2021-026 2 <br />