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<br />• (Page 2) • <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-2001-100 <br />INSPECTION DATE 10/31/01 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GRM <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This pre-operational inspection was conducted as part of the Adequacy Review process for the approval of a 112c permit for <br />this site. The inspector was accompanied by United Representative, Rick Johnson and BLM representative, Bruce Fowler. <br />The BLM Pit is a proposed 112c permitted site located on B Road, east of 32 Road in Grand Junction, Colorado. The permitted <br />area will be entirely on BLM lands. <br />The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. The public <br />notice for this permit was also observed on the main gate at the entrance to the site. Some knapweed was observed at the <br />entrance. <br />Site access is through existing right of way to United's other operations, the Hall Pit (M-1983-142) and the Ford Pit (M-1996- <br />091). The road is asphalt up to the scale house at the entrance to the Hall Pit. The Hall Pit will be used as a staging area for <br />the new operation. The use of the area will be covered in a pending TR. <br />Current vegetation consist of natural grasses and spotty rabbit brush, typical of the dry rangeland of the surrounding area. No <br />debris or trash was noted on site. No major erosion or storm water issues were noted. The Mine Plan calls for sloping the <br />pit floor toward the center of the pit and away from the permit edge to contain storm water. No impact issues were noted for <br />the Hall or Ford Pits with regard to stormwater control. <br />Discussions between the BLM representative, United and DMG focused on permanent affected area markers, a permit <br />boundary fence and start up plans. An aggressive reclamation plan calls for as much area to be reclaimed as possible when <br />moving from phase to phase. The BLM and United will work under a sales contract that is to be reviewed annually. It is <br />anticipated that reclamation will be monitored during each review. The BLM has a set of stringent conditions that must be <br />abided by for United to conduct this mining operation. A copy of these conditions are to be forwarded to this Office for <br />documentation within the permit file. <br />Since the site sits on top of a flat ridge, there should be no impact on the hydrological balance of the area <br />No significant infestations of noxious or other problematic weeds were noted on site dining this inspection. It is important for <br />United to include a Noxious Weed Program from the beginning to insure that weeds noted on the adjacent site do not impact <br />this one. <br />The closest utilities appear to be power lines running southwest to northwest along the west side of the proposed site. Visual <br />estimations put the lines approximately 400 feet away and of no concern. No other permanent man-made structures were <br />noted within 200 feet of the permit boundaries. <br />A question was raised as to how the bonding requirements will be met with respect to BLM and DMG both requiring bonds. <br />This Office will address that issue separately after some investigation. <br />The inspection concluded at 1045 hours. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Russ Means at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Grand Junction <br />Field Office, 101 South 3rd Street, Room 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 61501, phone no. 970-241-1117. <br />18 E Contact Address <br />NAME Rick Johnson <br />OPERATOR United Comoanies <br />STREET P.O. Box 3609 <br />CITY/STATE2IP Grand Junction. Colorado 81502 <br />cc: <br />^ CE <br />X BL -Bruce Fowler, GJ Office <br />^ FS <br />^ HW <br />^ HMWMD (CH) <br />^ SE <br />^ WOCD (CH) <br />^ OTHER <br />