INSPEC04182

• Permit No: M1978039HR
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 7/10/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• (Page 21 •
MINE ID N OR PROSPECTING ID A M-78-039
INSPECTION DATE 07/10/97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
OBSERVATIONS
This inspection was conducted by the Division as part of its monitoring of 110 metal mines, and as a result of the recent transfer
of the permit from Energy Fuels Nuclear Inc. to International Uranium IUSAI Corp., since the financial warranty amount must be
reassessed. The operator was contacted about the inspection, and a time was arranged to meet first at his office in Dove Creek
then proceed to the site. The operator was present throughout the iunspection.
The permitlD sign, required pursuant to Rule 3.1.12, was observed to be posted on the entrance gate at the eastern boundary.
Access to the site is gained by an access road which connects to a road within the nearby Carnation Mine (permit no. M-77-4161.
The 9.75-acre permit area is roughly rectangular, and mainly consists of the pad at the portal, including the buildings area, ore
stockpile area, waste dumps, and topsoil stockpiles. The permit area does not extend much dawn the hill to the north, or up the
hill to the south. There are no portions of the permit area le.g., vent holes) located apart from this area. The size of the onsite
features has not apparently grown much in the past few years, and all activity is still considered to be contained within the boundary.
The markers were not readily visible from the pad. Though required to be posted to adequately delineate the boundary, this is not
being noted as a problem in this report, mostly because this is a new permittee and the site has only recently been reactivated. The
operator should note however, that the ID sign should be updated to reflect the new permittee's name and the corners must be
marked. The onsite operator, Mr. Smith, requested a copy of the original permit map, a copy of which is attached to his copy of
this report.
Several years ago there was a pile of radioactive ore on the pad (approximately 1,OOOcubic yards), but the pile had been removed
completely by the time of this inspection. The metal building is still present, as well as overhead electric power, a steel culvert-style
portal shed with grated opening, and one ail tank and diesel tank leach approx 400 gallon cap.). Though there was no secondary
containment at all, the tanks were empty, and there was no evidence of spillage or leakage. Other features onsite were
miscellaneous pipes and timber platforms, and a wheeled spray rig.
The map indicates two sizeable topsoil storage areas. One pile was found on the SW side of the building, though the amount in
it was small. It is recognized that topsoil is scarce in this area, and that much pre-law activity occurred without consideration of
topsoil salvage. The topic of topsoil in this report is not considered a problem, but the operator should make every effort to salvage
and protect all topsoil encountered in the reactivation of the site, for later use in reclamation. This includes any type of growth
medium.
The dump pad is graded to contain stormwater, with atwo-foot berm at the edge of the top and a contour channel graded into the
native material at the toe. The slope drainage leads to a small sediment pond (20' x 30'1. The slope gradient is 40 degrees, and
still shows evidence of the erosion observed several years ago during a previous inspection. (The material used in the lower
containment berm and other nearby native material is one possibility for a source of topsoil to be used in reclamation. Since the
cut slope above the pad is low, most dump material will be graded down to attain the maximum 2:1 slope. This will cover much
of the land downslope of the present foorprint of the dump. Stripping of this material can create volumes of it to be placed
elsewhere.)
Covering much of the top of the pad surface was a crop of Halogeton glomeratus, an annual weed commonly found on disturbed
areas in this region and soil type. It has the characteristic of being toxic to sheep. Though it is doubtful that sheep will be grazing
here, and future mining activity may even kill all the weed present, this note is being made for the information of the landowner and
the operator, since control of the weed may be needed and spread of the plant would be undesirable.
The bond will be recalculated soon, and the figures sent to the operator for review. Because it will be based on present disturbance
and reasonable future activity, and must account for addressing all earthwork and structures, the operator may influence the amount
by communicating to this office any changes on the site. As always, development work and reclamation should be fully reported
to this Division on the annual report.
There were no other items noted or discussed. If there are questions about this report, please contact this inspector at the address
or phone shown below:
Division of Minerals and Geology
484 Turner Dr. ,Bldg. F-101
Durango CO 81301
Phone: [phone].