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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1977-324 INSPECTION DATE: p/75/02 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ~~ OBSERVATIONS This was a normal monitoring inspection conducted by Tony Waldron of DMG along with Joe Welte, Matt Welte, and Joe Gagliano representing Summit Brick. The site is located approximately 2-3 miles north of Canon City, Colorado. The pit is situated along a fairly significant geologic structure of inter-bedded sandstones, clays and shales. The dominant aspect is south-southwest and the vegetative cover consists of a pinon-juniper over-story with a native grass/shrub under-story. The affected area was properly delineated with visible markers and there was a mine identification sign posted at the entrance to the site. The inter-bedded clay deposits are the target of this mining operation. Accessing these clay layers requires removing the sandstone and/or shale overburden and inter-burden. Once these overburden layers are removed the and the clay is exposed, it is removed by front-end loaders and stockpiled for haulage to the brick site in Pueblo on an as needed basis. When the clay deposit is depleted, the overburden is replaced by using a dozer to backfill and grade out the rough spoil. Once this is done, topsoil is replaced and the site is seeded with the approved seed mix. The mine is now at a point in its development where spoil from the next proposed cut can be back-filled contemporaneously into the adjacent mined out area, thereby cutting down on material handling costs associated with double-handling. There is an area along the southeast side of the affected area that has been reclaimed. This was seeded in the fall of 2000 and is showing some evidence of vegetative establishment, however, the predominant slope aspect of this area is southwest and the soils are both thin and rocky. As a result, the grass cover is rather sparse. Pockets where the soils are deeper or more shaded due to aspect or slash on the surface seem to have better establishment. The operator did apply some manure and it seemed to enhance the results where it was visible. It was suggested that additional slash placement, especially on the south and southwest facing slopes would probably assist in establishing grass seedlings. Also, in reviewing the approved seed mix it was noted that some of the species identified on site were not included in the approved mix. Specifically, crested wheatgrass is not in the mix but was observed on-site. The approved seed mix should always be used as they have been selected considering site specific conditions. If a different mix is desired, the permit application should be revised to reflect this change. That said, several species that were included in the mix were observed as well. The operator wanted to know if the site should be inter-seeded at this point. Any inter-seeding would be more successful if it could be harrowed in, and given the stage of seedling establishment, harrowing might damage some of the established grasses. Therefore, it is suggested that the site be monitored for one more growing season and re-evaluated at that point to determine if inter-seeding would be beneficial. If it determined that inter-seeding is required, a dormant fall seeding could be applied at that time using the approved seed mix. One problem that was identified and will require follow-up is the infrequent use of explosives on the site. In accordance with Rule 6.5(4) of the Construction Materials Rules and Regulations of [he Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board; "At sites where blasting is par[ of [he proposed mining or reclamation plan, the applicant shall demonstrate through appropriate blasting, vibration, geotechnical, and structural engineering analyses, that off-site areas will not be adversely affected by blasting". Since explosives are used, even if infrequently, the appropriate analyses will need to be incorporated into the permit application via a technical revision. The details of this submittal are included on page three of this report. I & E Contact Address NAME: loseoh C. Welte OPERATOR: Summit Brick and Tile Co. STREET: P.O. Box 533 CITY/STATE21P: Pueblo. CO 51002-0533 ^ CE ^ BL ^ FS ^ HW ^ HMWMD (CH) cc Joe Gagliano- Jim Stevens-DMG