INSPEC20169 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

(Page 2) MINE ID q OR PROSPECTING ID q: M-2002-003 INSPECTION DATE- 5/2!2003 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS. CMR OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted in response to an application for a succession of operator and transfer of mine permit M-2002-003 (C.R.S. 34-32.5-119), The Topaz Mountain Gem Mine is located approximately 10 miles NW of Lake George at 2310 Matukat Rd (F.S. road 112), on the Pike and San Isabel Natrona) Forest. The pit Operator is currently Georgia Rubeck, but the day-to-day operations are currently being handled by Mr. Joe Dorris. Mr. Dorris also represents Glacier Peak Art, Gems & Minerals the succession operator. Mr. Dorris was present as the representative from Glacier Peak Art, Gems R Minerals 8 Mrs. Rubeck. Wendy Dobrowolski was present as the representative of the USDA Forest Service South Park Ranger Distract (the land owner). There was a sign present at the entrance to the mine, however the sign did not have all the required information. Per Mineral Rules and Regulations 3.1.12, a sign, clearly visible from the road, is required at the entrance to the mine. The sign should contain the following information (a) the name of the Operator, (b) a statement that a reclamation permit for the operation has been issued by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board, and (c) the pernut number. Coordination wdh the Forest Service is needed to ensure that the sign rs also compliance with Forest Service requirements. This is a problem that will require correction. Limited operations were occurnng during the inspection. A hand-dug pit was berry worked and the material hand screened. Mecharrcal operations were not occurnng. Some mechanical operations had occurred in the past on a couple less then one acre areas of mine. The total disturbed area was approximately 2.0 acres. Also on site were a number of hand-dug pits. The Operator may have dug some of the pits, but according to Mr. Dorris many were dug by recreational "High-graders"; miners that come on site without the Operators permission, when the Operator is not present Note that because the Operator is responsible for the mine site, he is therefore also responsible for the high-grader pits. The permitted mine area includes a section of Matukat Rd (F.S. road 112). Another un-improved road forks off the Matukat Rd and runs through the permitted site and continues for an unknown distance. There is not currently a gate at the mine entrance, but according to Wendy Dobrowolski the Forest Service will require an unlocked gale. Also present al the site were two tent platforms, a load out platforms, some other wood debris. There were not any invasive weeds evident, although d was noted that Toad Flax (butter and eggs) was found in a field nearby. Weed control would be regwred d Toad Flax or other invasve weeds become established on site As with entire region, This site is made up of Pikes Peak Grande and weathered Pikes Peak granite material (or known as grus). The Operator comes This alluvial grus material. Mr. Dorris estimates that average depth of the alluvial grus is about 20 feet. Some topsoil had been removed and segregated. According to the records however some topsoil had been removed prior to this mine permit. Other inspection notes include: • Two of the four permit boundary markers were missing. This will be listed as a problem, and will require corrective action (Mineral Rules and Regulations 3.1 12) • The topsoil stockpile was rtot adequately vegetated. h1r. Dorris indicated that the pile would be moved once operations begin (Mineral Rules and Regulations 3.1.9). If the Pile is not moved in the coming Enforcement and Inspection Contact Address NAME. Geprgla Rubeck OPERATOR: STREET: 2010 Woid Ave. CITY/STATE/ZIP olor~do Springs, CO 0909 cc: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CO Hazardous Materials and Waste Division U S Bureau of Land Management CO State Engineers Office X US Forest Service CO Water Quality Control Division CO Department of Transportation X OTHER: Mr. Joe Dorris