2022-05-05_INSPECTION - M1991079

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PERMIT#:M-1991-079 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:ACY INSPECTION DATE:April 26,2022 OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted as part of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) normal monitoring program. The Mule Farm Gravel Pit is a 112c permitted site that includes a total of 89 permitted acres. The site is located one mile southwest of Orchard Mesa, Colorado and is accessed from 26 3/8 Road. Jim Doody of Elam Construction, Inc. represented the operator and accompanied Amy Yeldell of the Division on the inspection. The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. A sign was attached to the entrance gate. The sign has been graffitied, a new sign has been obtained but has not yet been switched out yet. The permit boundary is delineated by a fence on the north and west sides. The river delineates the south and east boundary. The scale has been removed but the concrete footers remain in place. The scale house has been moved but is still stored on site. This site was inactive at the time of the inspection and appears to be infrequently used. The site is approved for intermittent operations however that still requires the site to be active annually. The Operator is reminded Rule 1.13, regarding activity levels. If the site ceases production for more than 180 days,the Operator shall file for Temporary Cessation or declare that they are entering into final reclamation. Overall site conditions remain unchanged from previous inspections. Approximately 1 acre is left to be mined. This area has been stripped and is above water. The rest of the pit is inundated and dewatering will be required for mining. Approximately 1200 linear feet of highwall 20 feet tall requires grading. The majority of the disturbed area will be a pond, so the actual reclamation liability is less than 18 acres. One main large stockpile of fines remains on site. The topsoil and overburden pile is located on the southeast side of the pit adjacent to the river. A trailer, a few screens and misc. parts remain on site. No other structures, equipment or fuel is on site. The large berm on the north side of the pond still has metal, cement and other debris intermixed. This material should be removed prior to the berm being graded. The eroded berm between the Gunnison River and the pit appears to be stable and no longer eroding and at risk of a breach. No reseeding efforts have taken place to date in this area or any other locations throughout the site. Given the time of the inspection little vegetation has started growing yet for the year. Very little evidence of positive vegetation was observed. The majority of vegetation on site was noxious weeds in the form of dead litter. The operator mentioned that mowing efforts are utilized to control noxious weeds. The longer the site sites in idol before conducting final reclamation the larger the noxious weed seed banks in the soil will become. The Operator is encouraged conduct reclamation in areas where mining has concluded and to more aggressively manage noxious weeds until and throughout reclamation. Further delay of reclamation and continued minimal weed management efforts will likely cause a delay in reclamation and may be cited as a problem. The Division currently requires a financial warranty amount of$133,970.00 for this site. The bond has was last increased with SI-1 in 2018. In an effort to ensure the Financial Warranty adequately,reflects the actual current cost of fulfilling the requirements of the approved reclamation plan the Division will be updating the reclamation cost estimate. If the current bond is found to be insufficient the Division will send a Notice of Surety Increase under a separate cover. No problems or violations were noted during this inspection. Page 2 of 6