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• iPage 2) • MINE ID rr OR PROSPECTING ID ~ M-1994-113 INSPECTION DATE 8-2-2000 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS This partial inspection was conducted in response to concerns stated by Mr. Bill Janke during a visitation to the DMG Denver Office. The inspection was conducted to monitor the condition of the access road and fill area where the Public Service Ames Penstock 1997 repairs were conducted. There are no signs of stress cracks in the access road surface. Any cracks would be readily visible due to the surface created by the previous application of magnesium chloride. The wet spots noted in the July 11 inspection report, on the fill outslope approximately six feet below the crest, were still evident in these dry conditions, so were inspected more closely. The spots are not wet but are stained. It appears that some of the magnesium chloride was either sprayed onto these spots on the slope, or it soaked through the road and fill to the slope face. Three springs are still flowing at the base of the fill outslope. Flow volumes have significantly reduced since this spring. The fill slopes remain at an estimated 1.5:1 grade. These bare dirt slopes are currently dry and hard on the surface. Some areas of the outslope have small slumps and erosion rills apparently from spring runoff and precipitation events since the 1997 penstock break repairs. Silt fence has not yet been installed below the fill outslope. A silt fence has been installed around the wetland. The affected area has been marked by stretching out surveying tape along it's boundary. This satisfies the requirement for marking this boundary, but will prove to be high maintenance. It is recommended that the operator use a more permanent measure to mark the affected area boundary. The topsoil stockpile has been almost eliminated by the ongoing exportation of topsoil. New areas in the approved affected area were being stripped of topsoil. That soil was being hauled off as well. Division calculations indicate that the site currently has enough topsoil resource available to cover the current disturbance. However, at the current rate of exportation, a shortage of topsoil, available for reclamation, will occur within a few days. The operator maintains that there is an excess of 20,000 cubic yards of topsoil available for reclamation. Division calculations estimate that on-site topsoil reserves available for reclamation of the site are between 3,400 and 6,800 cubic yards as of this inspection. Current topsoil requirement for replacing six inches on the current disturbed area, estimated at 2.5 - 3 acres, is 2,016 to 2,450 cubic yards. Pathfinder is again reminded that the financial warranty must be increased to account for importation of an adequate amount of topsoil to complete the approved reclamation, prior to exportation of topsail that leaves a deficit in the amount available on site for reclamation. Additionally, The approved permit contains a commitment from Pathfinder to sample the affected area to document that enough topsoil is available to allow replacement of the proposed minimum six inch depth on the areas to be reclaimed. Pathfinder has 30 days to submit this documentation. If this documentation indicates that the site does not have adequate resource to replace the required topsoil amount, Pathfinder will have 60 days to post adequate bond for importation of the required topsoil volume, or to stockpile the required topsoil volume on site. Excavation of topsoil has progressed to approximately 20 yards from the eastern permit boundary and is progressing up the grade to the north of the otd topsoil stockpile location. Pathfinder needs to be aware that as excavation progresses to the top of the ridge and north of the ridge, a topsoil deficit begins to occur. These currently undisturbed areas have less topsoil in place than is required to be replaced after mining. S and J Construction, out of Norwood Colorado, are conducting the current excavation with trucks from Sutherland Brothers out of Nucla Colorado and Williams Construction out of Norwood Colorado also participating in exporting the material. A truck from S and J Construction nearly ran the inspector into the ditch while the inspector was leaving the site. The S and J truck driver was cutting the corner on a blind curve and refused to try and move back into his lane when approaching the inspector's vehicle. The Division is taking this opportunity to notify Pathfinder of this occurrence, and to request that Pathfinder take appropriate action with S and J Construction in order to ensure the safety of all who use the road.