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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 REMAND FOR DIVISION OF MINING RECLAMATION AND <br /> SAFETY'S REQUEST TO TERMINATE MINING OPERATIONS OF <br /> TOPAZ MINE AND THE REQUEST OF PINON RIDGE MINING, LLC <br /> FOR A SECOND FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OF TEMPORARY CESSATION, <br /> File No. M-1980-055HR <br /> THIS MATTER came before the Mined Land Reclamation Board ("Board") on <br /> January 18, 2022, as a consent item on remand as ordered by the Denver District <br /> Court in Info. Network for Responsible Mining, et al. u. Colo. Mined Land <br /> Reclamation Board and Pinion Ridge Mining, LLC, 2020 CV 33848 (Den. Dist. Ct., <br /> March 1, 2022) regarding the Division of Mining Reclamation and Safety's (the <br /> "Division") request to terminate the mining operation of the Topaz Mine and Pinon <br /> Ridge Mining, LLC's ("Operator") request for a second period of temporary cessation, <br /> file number M-1980-055HR. <br /> The Board, being fully informed of the facts and having considered the <br /> materials presented in the matter, enters the following: <br /> FINDINGS OF FACT <br /> 1. Operator holds a 112d-3 reclamation permit for a uranium and <br /> vanadium mining operation located in San Miguel County. The site is known as the <br /> Topaz Mine and is a designated mining operation. <br /> 2. On July 21, 2020, the Board held a hearing to consider the Division's <br /> request to terminate mining operations at the Sunday Mine Complex, including the <br /> Topaz Mine, and put the operations into final reclamation. The Board denied the <br /> request, holding that the mines of the Sunday Mine Complex, including the Topaz <br /> Mine, were no longer in Temporary Cessation. The Board's Order became effective <br /> on October 9, 2020. <br /> 3. Information Network for Responsible Mining, Earthworks, Sheep <br /> Mountain Alliance, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Uranium Watch, Living Rivers, and <br /> Conservation Colorado (collectively "Intervenors") participated in the July 21, 2020, <br /> hearing and presented testimony and arguments in support of the Division's <br /> request. <br />