INSPEC16014

• Permit No: M1977342
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 6/16/1994
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

•*
I
MINE ID f OR PROSPECTING ID ,~`
INSPECTION DATE 6 16 94
(Page 2) •
M-77-342
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ACS
The primary purpose of this inspection was to observe subsidence on Red Mountain caused by
block caving of the Henderson ore body. The vantage point selected for viewing the glory
hole was a 12,240 foot peak located west and slightly south of Red Mountain. This
observation ridge was accessed from the Woods Creek drainage to the south of Red Mountain
where the Urad tails are located. From Woods Creek drainage, a jeep road climbs the south
side of Red Mountain. Two locked gates prevent access to the jeep road. At approximately
11,600 feet, the jeep road is blocked by a fallen tree placed across the roe.d. At this point
there are warning signs posted. The viewing vantage point was reached by climbing the ridge
to the west of the road closure.
The glory hole is currently about 40 acres in areal extent. The near vertical walla of the
hole are several hundred feet in height. The bottom of the hole ie filled with large rubble.
The peak of Red Mountain has not yet collapsed into the hole. Several ep~ille and rockfall
events occurred in the glory hole during the time that we were observing .it.
The Red Mountain summit elevation is 12,315 feet. The highest production level in the
Henderson Mine ie 8100 feet, and the top of the ore body is at approximately 8500 feet, with
some limited higher columns of ore present.
If the glory hole is to be included within the affected lands defined in the Henderson
Reclamation Permit, one aspect of the reclamation plan would be to deny public access to the
hazard area as much as ie practicable. At this time, access from the woods Creek drainage
is closed off as described above. The only other relatively straight forward access to the
glory hole is up the drainage west and north of Red Mountain that drains into the West Fork
of Clear Creek. This drainage passes through the Henderson Mine surface facilities area, and
is inaccessible to the public at this time. There are of course other routes to the glory
hole, but all would require considerable hiking over rugged terrain.
The operator has submitted documentation to the Division regarding the inclusion or exclusion
of subsidence impacts from the definitions of "affected land" or "mining operation" contained
in the Mined Land Reclamation Act. The attorney general's office is currently reviewing this
information.
The merger between Cyprus and AMAX was discussed. The operator stated that Climax Molybdenum
Company continues to be a part of the corporate structure, and as such can continue ae the
permittee for the Henderson Mine Reclamation Permit. If Climax Molybdenum Company is ever
to be disincorporated, the operator will be required to notify the Division, so that the
permit can be transferred to an existing company.
The mill tailings storage impoundment stability information provided by t:he operator as a
requirement of the 10/6/93 inspection report was discussed. It was agreed that further
discussions regarding stability analyses, particularly with regard to liquefaction potential
under seismic loading, would take place when the mill site is inspected liter this summer.
The Henderson Mine and Mill groundwater monitoring program was discussed. The operator ie
continuing to sample the monitoring wells to establish ambient ground•.~ater quality in
accordance with the terms of approved technical revision TR-004.
I & E Contact Address ce: Carl Mount, Dt1G
^ CE
NAME Jav Jones ^ BL
OPERATOR Climax Molvbdenum Comoanv ^ FS
STREET P.O. Box 68 ^ HW
CITY/STATE/ZIP Empire, CO 80438 ^ HMWMD (CH)
^ SE
^ WQCD (CH)
^ OTHER