2024-12-17_INSPECTION - C1981018

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December 10, 2024 C-1981-018/Deserado Mine TJ1 Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 3 of 12 Drainage – Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: There are three ponds located in the main facilities area: the DP-1 Pond, the PP-1 Pond and the PP-2 Pond. The DP-1 Pond is located on the southern part of the lower facilities bench. DP-1 collects all runoff from the from the three facilities benches. The pond was frozen at the time of the inspection, but the outlet structure was clear of debris and the pond was discharging (Photo 3). The embankments appear stable with well-established vegetative cover. The emergency spillway has minor amounts of vegetation, but still appears to be able to convey water and is well armored. There were no erosional concerns identified. Channels that convey water to the pond are in good condition, free of obstruction, and are functioning as designed (Photo 4). The PP-1 Pond is located on the middle bench of the facilities area near the prep plant. The pond was frozen and below the discharge level (Photo 5). There were no erosion or stability issues identified in the PP-1 Pond. The PP-2 Pond is located on the upper facilities bench. The pond was frozen. The outlet structure was in good condition with no vegetation obscuring the outlet. Water diversion ditches throughout the main facilities area were unobstructed and stable. The B Seam Dewatering System No. 1 was active during the inspection. Cells were impounding water and partially forzen. There was well established vegetation on the embankments of the cells. The cells were stable with no erosional or other stability features noted. The Last Chance Pond was discharging at the time of the inspection. The SS-2 Pond is located at the northwestern base of the Slot Storage Facility. The pond was dry at the time of the inspection. The embankments of the pond were well vegetated and stable with no indications of erosion. The SS-1 Pond was holding minor amounts of snow and water and the culverts under the road leading to the pond are free of obstruction (Photo 6). The RS-1 Sump and the RR-1 Pond are located at the south side of the Rail Loadout. The RS-1 Sump was dry and stable. There were no indications of erosion. The RR-1 Pond was also dry. The embankments of the pond seem stable. The erosion feature on the northern embankment that has been noted in previous inspection reports does not appear to have grown (Photo 7). The Rail Loadout Storage South Ditch is free of obstructions and able to convey water. Pond RP-1 is located at the base of the reclaimed RP-1 Refuse Pile. The pond was dry at the time of the inspection. The embankments of the pond were stable with no indications of erosion observed. There were no obstructions in the outlet - the trash rack over the pond’s outlet was clean. The RP -2/3 Pond is located on the northeast corner of Refuse Pile RP-2/3/4. The Pond consists of three cells – the upper cells were holding water and frozen at the time of the inspection (Photo 8). The channels above the ponds appear clear of debris. No erosional features were noted on the embankments of the conveyance ditches. The trash rack was clear of debris. Pond RP-5 is located at the northern base of the RP-5a Refuse Pile. The outlet for the pond appears free of obstruction and able to convey water. The pond was dry at the time of the inspection (Photo 9). No indications of erosion were observed on the embankments of the pond. The Raw Water Lagoon is in the southeastern portion of the permit boundary off CR-65 and adjacent to the White River. There was no evidence of erosion or instability along pond embankments. The pond was frozen, but the pump was free of obstructions/debris time of the inspection.