INSPEC01911

• Permit No: M1980244
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 1/20/2004
• Doc Name: Response to PB
• From: CC & V
• To: DMG
• Inspection Date: 11/23/2003
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Golder Associates Inc.
44 Union Boulevard. Sulfa 300
Lokewood. CO USA 80228
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
January 15, 2004
Cripple Creek & V ictor Gold Mining Company
P.O. Box 191
1280 State Highway 67
Victor, Colorado 80860
Attention: Mr. Phil Barnes
~ GOId~
Our Ref 043-2170
REGEiVED
JAN 2 0 2004
Diviaion of Minerals & Geology
RE: CRIPPLE CREEK & VICTOR GOLD MINING COMPANY; PHASE IV VALLEY
LEACH FACILITY; PREGNANT SOLUTION STORAGE AREA; LOW VOLUME
SOLUTION COLLECTION SYSTEM
Deaz Phil:
Golder Associates Inc. (Golder) has prepared this letter for the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mining
Company (CC&V) regarding [he Phase IV Valley Leach Facility (VLF) Pregnant Solution Storage
Area (PSSA) Low Volume Solution Collection (LVSC) system. Since the initial ore loading of the
Phase IV PSSA in June 2003, the LVSC system has been operating to remove pore water that has
been draining from the LVSC Fill (LVSCF). This letter provides a discussion on the origin of the
pore water within the LVSCF and anticipated volume of pore water drainage.
Phase N LVSC History
To explain the origin of the pore water within the LVSCF, it is important to present a brief discussion
of the design and construction history of the LVSC. The LVSC system is used to collect solution that
is present between the upper and lower PSSA geomembrane liners. The system consists of two riser
pipes, each with a dedicated submersible pump. The risers are positioned within the LVSC sump,
beneath the upper PSSA geomembrane liner and high volume solution sump. An integral part of the
LVSC system is the LVSCF, which consists of a 3-foot minimum drainage/collection layer between
the upper and lower geomembrane. Drainage pipes are also placed within the LVSCF layer to assist
in drainage towazd the LVSC sump.
The construction of the LVSC system began on November 11, 2002, when the placement of the
LVSCF on the lower geomembrane within the PSSA began. Conswction ceased during portions of
the winter months. The placement of the LVSCF was completed on May 24, 2003, and the upper
PSSA geomembrane was completed by May 31, 2003. During LVSC construction period, the LVSCF
was uncovered for approximately 7 months. On-site precipitation records indicate that during this
period of time, approximately 7 inches of rain and snow (equivalent water) had fallen at the site. The
amount of precipitation that had fallen on the footprint of the PSSA during this period of time is
equivalent to approximately 5 million gallons of water.
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