2023-08-24_INSPECTION - C1981018

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August 16, 2023 C-1981-018/Deserado Mine TJ1 Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 Page 3 of 10 Sediment Pond RP-1 and RP-2&3 are in the refuse pile area of the mine site. Pond RP-1 is dry (Photo 4). Minor amounts of sage brush are growing around the outlet structure, but does not obscure them. The berms of the sediment pond are in good condition. They show no signs of instability such as cracking or slumping. Pond RP- 2&3 is also dry. Like other ponds in the area, the berms of this sediment pond are in good condition. They are stable and show no signs of instability such as cracking or slumping. The sediment ponds in the Slot Storage Area were not accessible due to road maintenance in the area. The ponds could be seen from a distance and no water was seen in Ponds SS-1 and SS-2. The sediment pond RR-1 at the Rail Loadout was accessible. The pond was not holding water at the time of the inspection. Signs of erosion are found along the northern embankment of the pond (Photo 5), but when compared to photos of previous inspections the erosional scar does seem stable and has not increased in size. The B-Seam Dewatering System attached to the Last Chance Pond was active and discharging at the time of the inspection. The operator estimates that this dewatering system is discharging approximately 25 gpm (Photo 6). Ponds upstream from the Last Chance Pond are also in good condition. No sign of erosion or displacement were seen on any of the berms that create the ponds. The B-Seam Dewatering System #2 was not active at the time of the inspection. The mine just completed berm work on the upper pond (Photo 7) of that system and have not turned the system back on yet. The D-Seam dewatering system was active at the time of the inspection. Water is being placed in the lower cell of the system and the upper cells are not in use. The pad where the pump is located is in good condition with no signs of instability (Photo 8). The operator estimated that the system is dewatering at a rate of approximately 300 gpm. The new 1 Right Dewatering System was not active at the time of the inspection. The Operator is awaiting their discharge permit from CDPHE. PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES – Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: Refuse Pile RP-2&3 appears to be stable. There are no signs of slumping or major erosional issues. The pile does have minor erosion rills on the slopes, but they don’t appear to destabilize the pile and have not grown when compared to previous inspections (Photo 9). Refuse Pile RP-1 has stable banks and no signs of erosion or slumping. Vegetation is well established and blends with the surrounding areas. Diversion ditches around the refuse piles are free of obstructions and convey water. ROADS – Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3), Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4), Surfacing and Maintenance4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6), Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): The haul road at the Deserado Mine is well maintained and is sprayed to suppress dust from vehicles. Ditches along the main roads have been pulled and are clear of debris. Straw bales are in good condition and none observed were in need of replacement. Support roads leading to some of the more remote areas of the mine are in good condition. In particular the road to the D-Seam Dewatering Ponds was in much better condition than at the start of the summer months.