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• (Page 3) • MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1994-113 INSPECTION DATE 7/11/2000 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS It is interesting to note that much of the area stripped of topsoil in 1996 and not disturbed since, has a stand of 4-6 foot tall aspens growing on it. Equipment noted on site during the inspection includes a bulldozer, an excavator, a loader, a water truck, a fuel truck and a pickup. The operator must ensure that while the fuel truck is located at the site, it is stored in an adequate spill containment structure. The structure must be adequately designed to hold the contents of the truck. The structure must be lined with a synthetic impermeable liner. The operator must submit a technical revision to the permit to include spill containment structure location and specifications. This revision must be submitted by the correction date specified on the last page of this report. Several holes were dug by the inspector during this inspection to verify topsoil depths across the site. Average depth on the steep northwest facing slope above the wetland is 2 inches. The top of this ridge, that was not previously affected by the turnout near the highway has an average of 4 inches of topsoil depth. The portion of the southwest facing slope that was not stripped of topsoil in 1996 has an average depth of 15 inches. Several times the operator has indicated that the site has an average of two feet of topsoil available for salvage. This is not the case. The site currently has adequate topsoil to replace the required six inches across the affected area. However, because the operator is currently hauling off topsoil, Pathfinder is reminded that the current financial warranty is calculated for reclamation with an on-site stockpile of topsoil. Prior to removing an amount of topsoil that leaves a shortfall of on-site topsoil resource available for reclamation, the operator must ensure adequate bond is in place to cover the increased cost of purchasing and importing an amount of topsail adequate to make up for the shortfall. This must be accomplished through a revision to the permit to describe this feature of the reclamation plan and calculate the increased financial warranty amount. The operator is reminded that only the topsoil resource located within the permitted affected area is available for use in reclamation. The permitted affected area and the permit area are not the same. The permit area located outside the approved affected area boundary is not to be affected by the mining operation. Approximately .5 to 1 acre of mining related disturbance appears to be located outside the approved affected area on the south-central side of the permit area. The disturbance is within the permit area and consists primarily of stockpiled topsoil and piled aspen trees that were removed prior to topsoil salvage. Since the currem area, disturbed by the mining operation, is less than is approved to be affected, the current financial warranty is adequate. However, Pathfinder must secure DMG approval of an amendment to the Pathfinder Pit application that addresses disturbance, reclamation, and reclamation costs for this portion of the permit area. This amendment must be filed with DMG by the correction date specified an the last page of this report, and approval of that amendment must be secured within the timeframe specified by statute. Some other problems listed in previous DMG inspection reports have not yet been resolved. These problems are not re- stated in this report. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to: Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino Del Rio, Roam 125, Durango, Colorado 81301, Attn: Steve Shuey, phone no. 970-247-5062. I & E Contact Address NAME Scott Smith OPERATOR Pathfinder Development, Inc. STREET P. 0. Box 797 CITY/STATE/ZIP Telluride, CO 81435 cc: Tom Gillis, DMG ^ CE ^ BL ^ FS ^ HW ^ HMWMD (CHI ^ SE ^ WOCD ICH) ^ OTHER