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• (Page 2) • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-80-038 INSPECTION DATE 03/11/98 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO This was a partial inspection performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of 110 permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection and a time was arranged to meet to go to the site. The operator was present throughout the inspection. The site has seen a low level of ongoing activity. Crushing occured a couple years ago, and a large amount of that stockpiled material remains onsite, as well as several thousand yards of stockpiled pitrun. At the time of that crushing, the operator caused a new survey to be performed to better define the permit boundary. The original MLRB permit maps were apparently based on an incorrect reference to a section line, which was corrected during the 1996 survey. The operator hand delivered a copy of the new boundary map to this inspector at the time of the inspection. The operation still follows a finger ridge from the northeast toward the southwest, and does not enter the adjacent ephemeral drainages. Based on those boundaries, the limits of the permit area were indicated by the operator during the inspection. Mining is progressing toward the southwest and west. Access to the pit is mainly by opening a locked gate. The operator has also installed three steel pipes to limit access by placing a cable across them. These are the only mining-related structures at the site. The operation has not affected the southwest end of the permit area, where an overhead powerline crosses the site. I'he operator has stated that the operation will not encroach on this line, nor probably even reach the SW end of the permit. The topsoil to be used to reclaim the permitted disturbance is stockpiled along the two long sides of the permit. Some overburden is also piled in a berm parallel to the topsoil. Mining will not encroach closer to these piles. When the stockpiled gravel has been removed sufficiently to allow equipment access to the existing highwalls, the reclamation of these sides will involve reducing the highwalls by backfilling and pushing down overburden, then plating the slopes and floor with topsoil. The operator stated that the plan is that topsoil will be pushed onto the slopes and floor from outside the nit limits, and not pulled into the pit by excavator. The new boundaries were staked by the surveyor, but the markers were not able to be seen. The limits of the disturbance have not changed in several years, and have not progressed to the maximum size approved under this permit (9.84 acres), so this is not regarded as a problem at this time. But the permit boundaries should be visibly marked, pursuant to the Rules and Regulations. The operator stated that the surveyor staked the actual limits of disturbance, and extended those lines to include some undisturbed land to the SW, to mine in the future. All lands presently affected and to be affected. by both mining and reclamation. must be within the oermit boundary. The operator should be aware that the new location to be defined as the boundary must allow sufficient space for equipment to pass or operate. during_both mining and reclamation without disturbing land outside the boundary Therefore the operator must locate and visibly mark the boundaries of this permit area some short distance downhill from all present limits of dieT_urhance. ao that re clamatinn earthwork will remain The marked boundary is required, and will help this operator, other operators, BLM and DMG inspectors to delineate the permit area, and perhaps prevent accidental off site damage which is a possible violation. If there are questions about this, please contact this office. There is a $5,000 financial warranty for this permit. The Division is required to