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- • (Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-9d-117 INSPECTION DATE 3-31-98 OBSERVATIONS INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GC This inspection was conducted to determine the water levels within the Hazel A adit and the tailings pond axxd determine the condition of the closed circuit pump back system. There was no operator's representative on site. Ernie Simmons of ITEC Mineral, Inc. and Bruce Bivert were present on-site. There was a cover of 6" to 12• of snow with drifts up to 2.' SAZBL-7\ AdiG The Ha::el-A adit was inspected. Water was seeping from the ceiling along the visible length of the adit. There was no freeboard behind the bulkhead and, because the pump behind the bulkhead was not operational, water was overtopping the structure and passing through leaks between the bulkhead and the rib at an estimated rate of one to two gallons per minute. The overflow water had pooled behind the secondary, or coffer, dam where it was being pumped up to the tailings dam. This is not the approv=_d use of the coffer dam and pump and it is anticipated that continued pumping will result in pump failure and ultimately discharge of water from the Hazel-A portal. It also appears that the coffer dam pump will not be able to keep up with any significant increase of inflow into the adit. (See F~roblem PB-1) The approved permit requires that the water be pumped from behind the bulkhead through a pvc line to the surge tanks in the mill. To maintain a zero discharge facility, the water in the surge tanks is run into the tailings pond where it is evaporated. The entire pump back system appears to be in disrepair. The line running to the surge tanks in the mill appears to be broken and needs to be repaired. The surge tank piping apparently was not drained over the winter and some of the piping has apparently been damaged by ice. The decant line between the Hazel A adit and the tailings pond is open to facilitate pumping of Hazel-A adit water to the tailings pond. The operator is required to keep this line closed. The operator is also required to keep the water behind the bulkhead as low as possible at all times. At no time is the freeboard allowed to be less than 12 inches. The present condition of the pump back system is unacceptable. The operator will be required to submit a plan to prevent water from discharging from the Hazel A adit no later than April 16, 1998 and implement it. The approved system must be repaired and operating no later than April 22, 1998. (See Problem PB-2i. After that date, any freeboard of less than 12 inches behind the Hazel A bulkhead may be considered a possible violation to the Gold Hill Mill permit. The H+izel-A log book was inspected and was found to be up to date through 3/30/98, however, the detail was not as required in the permit. In the future, all required information must be entered to avoid problems or possible violations. Tailings Poad There was approximately 18" of freeboard in the tailings pond. The spray evaporative system was not operating. The sprinkler system was in place on the uphill side of the pond and on the downhill side was partially covered with snow. Effective immediately, this system must be functional and operating. During future inspections, failure to have the evaporative system operating properly may result in a possible violation to the Gold Hill Mill permit. Use of the designation letter 'Y" (Y=Inspected and Found in Compliance) in the GENERAL INSPECTION TOPIC`S section of page 1 of this report is not intended to abrogate pending problems and possible violations identified in previous reports filed for this site. Use of the letter designation 'Y^ in this report is intended to indicate that no new problems or possible violations were identified.