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(Page 21 MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-84-044 INSPECTION DATE 01 /29/97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This was a partial inspection performed by the Division partly to follow up on a corrective action, which was required to abate a problem noted during the 02/OB/96inspection of the pit. The operator was contacted about the inspection and was present for it. The required ID sign was observed at the entrance gate located at the southeast corner of the permit area. The Irealignedl permit boundary was adequately marked by a barbed wire fence. The pit was not being operated at the time of this inspection. There was no equipment onsite. There was one stockpile, consisting of low quality pitrun, in the west central part of the pit floor. The operator stated that it would probably be spread over the pit floor rather than pushed against a highwall or exported. The plan for 1996 included reclamation seeding on parts of the permit area, but the weather was too droughty to ensure even a marginal chance of success. The seeding has been rescheduled for 1997. Other work originally scheduled for 1996 included minor grading of highwalls and the removal of a small amount of old asphalt material. The presence of the asphalt la pile in the northeast corner) was noted as a problem to be corrected (in the previous inspection mentioned above). There is another small bit of asphalt in the southeast part of the pit floor and about 15 cubic yards of trash, both of which should also be handled in the same manner as the "problem" asphalt pile. (Note: asphalt is considered as "inert" by the Colo. Dept. of Health when it is over 60 days old. The operator may utilize inert asphalt in backfilling activities if placement is above the water table.) At the present time, some of the highwalls stand at 1 :1 or steeper, but are considered stable until onsite activities occur this year, at which time the slopes will be graded. There is no danger of livestock falling into the pit. The operator stated that since he recently became the road supervisor for the county he was unaware of the problems noted in previous inspections. The pit will be operated this year by a private company for material to be used on a highway job. At that time, according to the operator, the asphalt material will be removed, the sideslopes will be graded, reclamation seeding will be performed and the pile of trash will be hauled away. Though the original corrective action date for the asphalt removal was extended to allow for the thawing of the asphalt, the fact that it still has not been removed will not be considered as a possible violation in this case. The new representative for the operator assured this inspector that the private company operating here this year would have to address the tasks listed above in order to operate here. The asphalt piles, however, are still regarded as a problem to be corrected. The new date is noted on page 3 of this report. The pit will not be expanded to the east; all future excavation will be to the west. Significant topsoil material has been lost due to pre-law activity at this site. In future activities, the operator must ensure that topsoil is salvaged for reclamation. The operator is reminded that activities at this site, including mining by other companies, reclamation, etc., should be fully reported on the annual reports. The operator should also depict the areas of activity on a permit area map which shows the revised bounndaries. This should be simple since the county now has GPS capability. There were no other items discussed or problems noted. The operator may contact this Division at the Durango field office at the following address Division of Minerals and Geology 484 Turner Dr., Bldg. F -Ste. 101 Durango CO 81301 phone: 970/247-5193or 247- 5062 I & E Contact Address cc: Steve Shuey, DMG ^ CE NAME John Ungefuq ^ BL OPERATOR Saguache Countv ^ FS STREET P.O. Bax 476 ^ HW CITY/STATE/ZIP Saouache CO 81149 ^ HMWMD ICHI ^ SE ^ WOCD ICH) ^ OTHER