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<br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-77-285
<br />INSPECTION GATE 07110/97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
<br />OBSERVATIONS
<br />This inspection was performed by the Division as a result of the recent transfer of this permit from Energy Fuels Nuclear Inc. to
<br />International Uranium (USA) Corp., which requires that the outstanding reclamation liability be recalculated and financial warranty
<br />be readjusted if necessary. The operator was contacted about the inspection and a time was arranged to meet first at his office
<br />in Dove Creek then proceed to the site. The operator was present throughout the inspection.
<br />The permit area consists of 755 acres, with the boundary drawn along the outline of of a large block of adjacent claims. The
<br />affected land consists of 40 acres covering several separate openings to the underground operation, the land surrounding each
<br />opening, plus discrete portions of the access roads to each. Several of the access road segments are pre-~~xisting county roads or
<br />BLM roads, and presumably will not be reclaimed by the operator at the conclusion of mining.
<br />The permit ID sign was posted on the gate at the entrance to the main portal area. It contains the previous operator's name, but
<br />the current operator stated that it would be updated soon. This is not currently regarded as a problem. The permit boundary is not,
<br />and need not, be marked since the markers would not be anywhere near current affected areas. But the perimeters of the affected
<br />areas las shown on the most recent maps) should be marked, especially around dumps which will expand. Roads within the affected
<br />area need not be marked. There is an approved acreage limit which must not be exceeded.
<br />In 1983 an amendment to the permit was approved to allow the increase of the affected area from 20 to 40 acres. Growth of the
<br />affected area will include waste rock dump expansion lot the main portal location), several vent hole site:;, access roads, and an
<br />area for "contingencies." The map provided with the amendment application identified six "passible vent sites" which could be
<br />constructed as need arose. The application explained that the vents' exact locations must be left flexible, but that each vent hole
<br />and its access road would be within the permit boundary. Additionally, if any new road segments are nsquired, they would be
<br />counted within the 40-acre affected area. During the 1 983 amendment review, the operator also provided an updated reclamation
<br />plan, defining the post-mining slope gradients and other grading, road reclamation, topsoil amounts, seed mix, etc.
<br />At this time, some of the areas proposed to be affected have not yet been disturbed. The existing bond of SE 0,000, first established
<br />in 1 983 in connection with this affected area increase, is felt to be adequate to perform the outstanding reclamation tasks. Anew
<br />bond calculation will be performed by the Division, and the figures will be sent to the operator for review
<br />The first site viewed as part of this inspection was a decline now used as a vent shaft. It is located south of CR 20R, next to the
<br />old waste dump, at the west end of the claim called "GMG #1 3." This in within the permit boundary. Tltis site is not new, but
<br />recent grading work related to sediment control has been performed there by the operator. Though this lor:ation is not one which
<br />was tentatively identified in the 1983 amendment as one to be developed, it may now be considered to be one. There is electric
<br />power to the site, which will be used for the fan to be placed in the shaft. The total area to 6e affected thr:re, which will be at its
<br />maximum after final reclamation is completed, is estimated to be less than one acre lit is presently less than one half acre). There
<br />is pre-law disturbance which las far as this office is concerned) does not have to be reclaimed by the operattr, as long as it has not
<br />been redisturbed under this permit. Portions of the site contain structures which the BLM, in fact, may have interest in preserving.
<br />Upon the initial discovery of this site by this inspector, it was felt that there would possibly be a problem to be resolved since this
<br />was not a specifically addressed area to be disturbed. Fortunately for the operator, the flexible locations for vent shafts approved
<br />in the amendment can allow for this one to be utilized without adding or exchanging acreage. The 6oncl already exists for its
<br />reclamation too. However, the operator must provide to this office a current summary or map of all surface areas to be affected.
<br />The Division had not been aware of this surface feature before this inspection. The lack of this information in the file is not regarded
<br />es a problem, but in light of the fact that there is a new operator, and a complete inspection of all known surface features has not
<br />been made, the operator's response to this is felt to be important. It will also be used in the upcoming bond recalculation. This
<br />listing of the affected surface area must include acreages and road lengths, since there is an acreage limit stared in the permit which
<br />must not be exceeded.
<br />The main surface feature is the portal area. Its total area is not known. The structures, pads, roadways, etc., are all documented
<br />in the file. There are two above-ground fuel tanks, which are empty and show no sign of spillage. They :viii not be used in the
<br />future, and presumably will be removed soon, along with the support structure under them. Electric power is supplied by overhead
<br />lines and transformers, most of which are the property of the local utility company. There are two portals to close and sheds to
<br />remove for final reclamation. Debris and junk on the site is quite minimal; the site is clean and orderly overall. Details of the
<br />structures and other site work will be included in the bond figures.
<br />cont
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