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iPage 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1982-033 INSPECTION DATE 1/28/03 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as a follow-up to the Division's 8/27/02 inspection and the Division's 11 /8/02 Notice of Bond Increase. The operator was contacted about the inspection, and was present during the inspection. The operator received the Notice of Bond Increase and, in the interest of keeping the bond amount at its present level, wished to demonstrate to the Division the various reclamation tasks recently carried out on the site. Large portions of the pit slopes, in both final locations at the margins and temporary locations where further mining will occur, had been reduced to their final reclaimed gradient. The slope reduction costs may be eliminated for all final slopes which are now graded and maintained that way. Costs for slope reduction on the temporary slopes may likewise be reduced for all areas graded, to the amount that is now done and for as long as the temporary slopes are maintained at their final gradient. The operator is allowed under the present plan to have a certain amount of vertical highwalls, and the bond reflects this in the earthwork costs. It was discussed that if he commits to further limiting the amount of such highwalls, and carefully maintains the slopes in a condition closer to the final reclaimed gradient, the bond may be reduced further. He stated that he will maintain all highwalls (except the active one on a portion of the south of the pit) in a graded condition. The pit floor is not exactly level, but is gentle. The pit floor is being lowered a bit in one area, producing a short, law highwall feature. That small feature is steeper than the reclaimed slope gradient, and will have to be graded down eventually. He stated that it will be sloped this week. The rest of the floor was examined carefully, and was found to probably not require much rough grading at all. There is no impoundment of stormwater, and it is consistent with the post- mining land use as it exists. The equipment the operator used to perform all the slope reduction was the equivalent of a Cat 966 loader. He stated that a dozer would be appropriate also, but not larger than a D7. This office will modify its choice of equipment used in the various tasks. A final area was inspected, in this operator's permit, but affected under another operator's 111 permit. It is the site of a small knapweed patch found last summer (during the Division's inspection, for which the operator was not presentl. The operator had later stated that he removed all the dead plant tops from the area in question. Upon checking for the adequacy of the control measures taken, it was discovered that the operator had incorrectly identified the plant to remove, and had left all knapweed and removed all asters. Positive identification was made of the plants and the area infested. It was sent that though the patch is young, many dead seed heads were littered on the ground in that area. Continued monitoring will be necessary to ensure control of this noxious weed. Adequate control may be possible if the operator can treat the original area each year by killing all new plants, eliminating new plants on all additional areas, and exercising care when moving any of the contaminated gravel from this area. Such gravels may be included in asphalt or concrete hatching, to kill or isolate the seeds, preventing their germination. It may be possible to deeply bury the limited amount of contaminated gravel in the backfill of the south highwall (created by Lafarge in the 11 1 permitl• Export of the gravel, as it exists now, however, may act to spread the infestation. The additional areas to be reclaimed within this permit, but presently also in the 111 permit and bonded by Lafarge, were observed and discussed. Their highwalls must be reduced to the same 3:1 final gradient, mainly by pushing material down. The south highwall, as stated above, must be backfilled from below, since Lafarge mined very close to the permit boundary and pushing down from above will affect areas outside the boundary. One of Lafarge's topsoil piles must be moved to a different location, one which is over 200 feet from the concrete ditch. The footprint of that pile must be revegetated. The operator must also move the dilapidated house trailers off the permit areas. This office will perform a revised bond recalculation, and send the figures to the operator for review. The final figure is not known at this time, but the reclamation liability is now much less, and the new bond figure will be much closer to the original. The Division appreciates the operator's timely reclamation efforts. There were no additional items observed or discussed. No problems exist at this time. All responses or questions about this inspection report should be directed to this inspector at the Division's Durango Field Office. The address is: Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301; telephone 97 012 47-5 1 9 3, or fax 970/247-5104.