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Responses to Objections 31 <br /> September 5,2023 <br /> 13. Bob Gray <br /> 17150 County Road 362 <br /> Buena Vista, CO 81211 <br /> bobgray2fish6c�gmail.com <br /> RE: Support of Proposed Amendment to the Leadville Mill Permit M1990-057 <br /> Mr. Gray, <br /> Thank you for taking the time to express the objections/concerns to our proposed amendment to our <br /> Leadville Mill permit. <br /> Obiection: I have been a Chaffee County resident for over 50 years and am an avid Arkansas River <br /> recreationist. Over this 50 year time span 1 have seen the river transition from high heavy metal mining <br /> pollution to a clean thriving river thanks to EPA action and participation by government and private <br /> diligence. Let us not put the Arkansas River in danger again with approval of this permit. <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 /> Department of Health and the Environment-CDPHE) as well as federal (Mining Health and safety <br /> Administration-MSHA). Cyanide will be destroyed, and metals of concern will be treated using the lime <br /> used in the milling process. CJK is required by law to comply with regulations associated with the handling <br /> and use of hazardous materials and will use these industry-proven methods. <br /> The cyanide management plan is highly regulated by CDRMS and must be approved before operations <br /> can commence. <br /> Step 3: Cyanide Destruction <br /> Most of the CN used in the process is reclaimed and re-used. However, the CN that cannot be reclaimed <br /> will be destroyed using ferric sulfite prior to disposal in the Filtered Tailings Deposit (FTD). The cyanide <br /> detoxification process is an industry-proven method. CN concentration in the FTD will be at a very safe <br /> level. <br />