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Responses to Objections 17 <br /> September 5,2023 <br /> 8.Jim Kohlmoos <br /> P.O. Box 714 <br /> Leadville, CO 80461 <br /> Ikohlmoos(a�amail.com <br /> RE: Support of Proposed Amendment to the Leadville Mill Permit M1990-057 <br /> Mr. Kohlmoos, <br /> Thank you for taking the time to express the objections/concerns to our proposed amendment to our <br /> Leadville Mill permit. <br /> Objection: Over the past several years I have carefully studied the CJK's various attempts to re-open the <br /> Mill operation. It is abundantly clear that CJK's claims of environmental stewardship and economic <br /> development are merely a smoke screen for potential environmental degradation that would threaten the <br /> outdoor recreation economy upon which Lake County now significantly depends. Without equivocation 1 <br /> strongly oppose to this application for many reasons including: 1) There is no strong evidence base that <br /> CJK is skilled at refining minerals using wet cyanide leaching;2) There are no assurances that the high <br /> risks of the use of cyanide will be mitigated by CJK's less than stellar performance thus far;3) CJK has <br /> not developed a method to guarantee no leakage of cyanide &other chemicals from the proposed <br /> method of storage of waste materials;4) There is still a high risk of leakage into water table of <br /> cyanide%ther chemicals into groundwater---affecting wells, fishing/rafting industry, irrigation water. 5) <br /> Many of us in Lake County are fearful of a potential environmental catastrophe from leakage of toxic <br /> substances resulting in extreme adverse effects to County residents, visitors and the recreational <br /> economies of Lake County, neighboring counties and the State of Colorado. At a time of severe droughts <br /> and water uncertainties, this is precisely NOT the time to experiment with a high risk operation with a very <br /> low ROI for the county and its citizens. For the sake of the future well-being of Colorado and its citizens, I <br /> urge you to reject this application. <br /> Following is our response: <br /> CJK's operating plan supports environmental reclamation. Material to be treated is that which was mined <br /> in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and deposited on the surface as waste. This material still exists <br /> on the surface throughout the historic California District and other mining districts in Lake County and <br /> remains an active part (Operable Unit 6) of EPA's California Gulch Superfund site. Surface run-off from <br /> these dumps contribute to acid drainage in surface waters. Placement of this material in a properly <br /> designed containment facility will reduce this acid-metal laden load to the environment and is an approved <br /> remediation by EPA. <br /> The material also contributes to the contaminated groundwater within the Leadville Area. <br /> CJK will be moving mine dump acid generating material located within a potentially contaminated <br /> groundwater plume to a lined facility that results in a net overall benefit to the environment and specifically <br /> to improving water quality. <br /> CJK shares your concern for the environment, and like all modern natural resource operations will take <br /> great care to protect it. This will be accomplished in the following steps: <br /> Step 1: Plant Design and Operation <br /> CJK has relied on engineers and consultants with extensive experience in the design and operation of the <br /> process facility. Further, CJK acknowledges and agrees with those concerned that experienced managers <br /> are requisite for a safe and efficient operation. <br /> Step 2: Cyanide Handling <br /> CJK acknowledges the hazards related to CN as well as other chemicals. The handling and use of these <br /> chemicals are common in mining operations,and its safe use to the environment and human safety is highly <br /> regulated by State (Colorado Department of Reclamation Mining and Safety-CDRMS, Colorado <br />