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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1979-089 <br />INSPECTION DATE 11/13/2003 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS <br />This inspection was conducted as part of a review by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) of <br />permitted sites that have known wash plant activities. DMG staff are currently reviewing the impact of wash plant <br />operations and mining activities in areas where upper Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks and Tertiary terrestrial deposits <br />derived from erosion of Cretaceous rock sources, (example: Mancos shale and/or Mancos shale derived soils) are disturbed <br />by those activities. The focus of the review is to identify factors that may contribute to increased selenium <br />concentrations being discharged from the site via groundwater and surface water flow. The operator was contacted <br />and apprised of the visit and the reasons surrounding the inspection. <br />The inspector was accompanied by DMG Senior Environmental Protection Specialist Harry Posey, Senior Environmental <br />Protection Specialist Carl Mount and Environmental Protection Specialist Russ Means. The 23 Road Pit was selected <br />for this inspection solely on the basis of location and DMG staff knowledge of an existing, approved, wash plant <br />operation within the permitted area. <br />Post process water is collected in a large sedimentation pond that was a pit area now filled with groundwater. Water <br />for the washing operations is recycled back to the plant from the last settling pond in the series, though some <br />discharge from the pond to the Colorado River occurs. Sediment is periodically cleaned out and used as backfill <br />material on site. The wash plant was located on site was operational at the time of this inspection. Sediment <br />discharged in the wash plant effluent appeard to have a substantial silt and sand component to it. This pond was not <br />constructed with any form of liner. <br />Upon final reclamation, this pit will consist of several groundwater fed, non-discharging (surface water) lakes. With <br />this in mind, the operator is encouraged to, when possible, place any upper Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks and <br />Tertiary terrestrial deposits derived from erosion of Cretaceous rock sources, away from areas where drainage will <br />concentrate (swale bottoms) or where standing water may collect. This material should also be buried well beneath the <br />surface, but above the water table, to minimize weathering, erosion and leaching of selenium into the groundwater. <br />Access to the pit for this impromptu inspection is greatly appreciated. Thank you. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Steve Shuey at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Grand Junction <br />Field Office, 101 South 3rtl Street, Room 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, phone number 970-243-6368. <br />I & E Contact Address cc: <br /> ^ CE <br />NAME Ed Settle ^ BL <br />OPERATOR Grand Junction Pipe and Suooly ^ FS <br />STREET P. O. Box 1849 ^ Hy~/ <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP Grand Junction, Colorado 81502 ^ HMWMD (CH) <br /> ^ SE <br /> ^ WOCD (CH) <br /> ^ OTHER <br />