2005-12-27_INSPECTION - M1995035

• Permit No: M1995035
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 12/27/2005
• Doc Name: Insp Rpt
• From: DMG
• To: Connell Resources
• Inspection Date: 12/20/2005
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

(Page 2)
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1995-035
INSPECTION DATfi 12/20/05 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ESC
0898RVATION3
This was an inspection of the Wellington Downs Pit conducted by Erica Crosby of the Colorado
Division of Minerals & Geology. Mike Duster of Connell Resources was present during the
inspection.
The Wellington Downs Pit is located approximately 1 1/2 miles west of Timnath in Larimer
County, Colorado. The 112 Mining and Reclamation Permit was issued to Connell Resources on
January 22, 1996 for a permit area of 109.5 acres. The Division holds a financial warranty
in the amount of $139,000.00.
A mine identification sign was posted at the mine entrance. Existing fences on the property
delineate the permit area. Mining of the site is complete at reclamation of the pit began in
2004 with construction of the clay liner. Two small islands have been created in the middle
of the pit, as noted on the reclamation plan map. Product piles remain in the bottom of the
pit that will be removed as needed in 2006. The asphalt entry area and road have not been
removed. The permit does not reference that these structures will stay as a part of the
reclamation plan, therefore, they must be reclaimed to the reclamation standards noted in the
permit.
The approved postmining land use is developed water resources. The site has been reclaimed
using a compacted shale backfill along the pit elopes. Connell Resources provided the
Division with a letter from the Office of the State Engineer documentating that the compacted ~
clay liner has passed the design standard for the States lining criteria. The pit elopes and
upland areas were revegetated in the spring of 2005. The operator has been mowing the
grasses to help control the annual weeds.
The operator verbally requested that the financial warranty be reduced to account for
reclamation performed on site. In order to reduce the financial liability the operator must
do the following;
o Request a financial warranty reduction in writing in accordance with Rule 4.14 of the
Construction Materials Rules and Regulations. If the operator submits a complete
request within 60-days of this inspection, then the site will not need to be inspected
again (this inspection may count for the required inspection if timely filed).
o A bond will need to be retained for any remaining seeding, weed control and planting of
trees/shrubs on site and removal of the asphalt pad and road.
In order to obtain a total release of the site, the following must be completed;
o the product piles moat be removed from the bottom of the pit,
o the asphalt pad and road must be removed and area reclaimed,
o the vegetation on site must be diverse and well established (due to the presence of
annual weeds, the revegetation standard has not been achieved at this point in time),
and
o planting of trees and shrubs is part of the final reclamation plan consisting of a
minimum of 100 trees and a minimum 100 shrubs (see attached copy of reclamation plan).
Only a few cluster of trees were noted on site and it does not appear that the tree and
shrub standard has been met.