INSPEC03409

• Permit No: M1977493
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 9/4/1997
• Doc Name: Insp Rpt
• From: DMG
• To: Climax Molybdenum Company
• Inspection Date: 9/4/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

" / (Page 2)
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-77-493
INSPECTION DATE 9/4/97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ACS
OBSERVATIONS"
This was a complete inspection of the Climax Mine and Mill facility conducted by Allen
Sorenson and xarry Posey of the Division of Minerals and Geology. Bryce Romig and Erich
Bower represented Climax Molybdenum Company during this inspection. The observations made
during the inspection are broken down by area in the following report.
1. Storke Yard
The Storke Yard is located in the Arkansas River basin, south of the continental divide. The
Storke Yard area provided primary access to the underground workings during the years of peak
production at Climax during the 1960s and 1970s. Underground access from the Storke Yard was
via the Storke adit and 5-shaft, 7-shaft is a ventilation shaft that is collared in the
Storke area. Construction of declines to the Climax Mine 1200 level had been initiated in
the Storke Yard, but, the driving of these declines was terminated a short time after
initiation. Other facilities at the Storke Yard had been crushing and conveyance facilities,
dry facilities, and offices.
Most of the structures and buildings in the Storke Yard have been removed. The remaining
structures are the Storke Waste Water Treatment Plant and the S-shaft head frame. According
to the 1996 reclamation report filed by Climax, 7-shaft has been sealed. The disturbed area
of the Storke Yard comprises approximately 62 acres. Over the past 4 years, approximately
40 acres has been graded, seeded, and mulched. 1100 shrubs have been planted in selected
areas. It is too early in the revegetation process to make an assessment of diversity and
effectiveness, but the initial results looked promising at the time of this inspection.
The Arkansas River flows through the Storke Yard in a culvert. Removal of this culvert and
reconstruction of the stream channel are a component of the approved reclamation plan, and
this represents the most significant remaining reclamation task for the Storke Yard. The
approved reclamation plan also requires removal of all remaining buildings and structures.
Dewatering pumps were removed from the 600 level of the Climax Mine during December of 1994,
and the underground workings were allowed to flood. Anew pump station was established in
S-shaft, with a target water elevation in 5-shaft of 11,080 feet to be maintained by pumping.
The Climax Mine underground workings, including 5-shaft, are driven in igneous rocks located
on the east side of the Mosquito fault. The Arkansas Valley below the Storke Yard is sited
in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks to the west of the Mosquito Fault. The impermeable barrier
to ground water flow provided by the Mosquito Fault is relied upon to prevent emergence of
the Climax Mine pool to the Arkansas River. A seepage monitoring area on the hillside below
the 5-shaft collar was established prior to the flooding of the 600 level to determine if any
seepage will occur in relation to the rising water level in the shaft. This seepage
monitoring area was inspected. The primary areas of seepage observed were related to a
french drain that ties in to the Storke Crusher area, and the discharge from the debris
disposal leachate collection system that was approved by the Division in 1994. Neither of
these discharge areas appears to be related to or affected by flooding in 5-shaft. Both
discharges are routed to the Storke Waste Water Treatment Plant.
2. Highway 91 Frontaoe
The area inspected is the slope down to Highway 91, along the east side of the Highway, and
north of Climax Camp. Portions of this slope are adjacent to `E' Dump; the rest of the slope