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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1977-306 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 6-16-05 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GRM <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the monitoring program established by the Colorado Division ofMinerals <br />and Geology for active uranium mine projects. Currently, due to the rapid nature of development at these sites, the <br />DMG is doing monthly monitoring inspections. <br />The JD-9 Mine main entrance is in the Bull Canyon area of Monogram Mesa. The JD-9 has a shaft at the top of the <br />mesa that is an emergency escape way as well as the point where water from the under ground working is pumped <br />for treatment and de-sedimentation prior to release down the canyon. For clarity, this report will break down the <br />observations into the shaft area and Mine Entrance area. <br />The Main Mine Entrance Area has a permanent building for equipment maintenance and supply storage. Several <br />loaders and mine equipment were noted in use or parked in this area. The onsite fuel tanks are in proper secondary <br />containment constructed of earth berms and thick plastic. Seams in the plastic have been sealed with a glue or <br />sealer. During the last inspection a couple of spills /stains were noted along the south edge of the building. The <br />stained soils have been dug up and removed from the site. The azea now has a plastic liner and clean materials to <br />contain any leakage from equipment, etc. stored in this area. Only 2, 55 gallon barrels were noted during this <br />inspection next to the fuel tank containment structure. There were 8 last time and one was tipped over and had <br />created a small spill. One barrel appeared to have liquid, while the other was empty. As discussed with the <br />operator, Cotter will be submitting a Technical Revision to address the proper handling and storage of hazardous <br />materials and waste at all of its sites. (Pictures 3, 4 and 8) <br />Waste from current activities is being gobbed or backfilled into old workings to reduce haulage expenses and reduce <br />surface impacts as much as possible. Established waste piles have been graded on the top and some materials are <br />being deposited on the top but slopes are not impacted at this time. The slopes are stable with only minor riling <br />noted. Some mine debris was observed over the slope edge, which should be cleaned up as much as possible. <br />A 4-inch plastic line brings the dewatering effluent from the upper shaft past the toe of the waste rock slope <br />minimizing contact above the 48-inch culvert. The culvert runs through the waste pile where the natural drainage <br />passes. Below the culvert, the water finds the natural channel, which is away from the southern waste piles. The <br />water is creating a condition where it is eroding the western bank of the drainage. The operator should consider <br />continuing the water line on to the south beyond the culvert and waste dump and into flatter terrain where erosion <br />would be less likely. Since the water does not contact waste piles, this issue is not being listed as a problem but will <br />monitored for erosion impacts. <br />Some ore has been brought to the surface for stockpiling. The operator stockpiles ore until there is enough for <br />several loads. At which point, the stockpile is removed and the process started over. Overall, ore stockpiles at any <br />sites remains for only short periods of time prior to shipping. By Rule, the operator can stockpile ore for up to 180 <br />days. Berms in good repair, azound the stockpile azea, contain stormwater and ore sediments, preventing off site <br />impacts. (Pictures 1,2, 5 and 6) <br />The Emer~ency Shaft /Water Treatment Area has a head frame and 2 small sheds on site. The sheds house the <br />pumps and water treatment tanks. The previous inspection noted concerns about the primary sedimentation pond <br />and its integrity. On this inspection the pumps were not running and there was 3 foot of freeboard in the pond <br />instead of 6 inches to a foot. Inspectors pulled up a vegetation clump within the liner area and noted no penetration <br />through the liner. Solar degradation of the liner along the head of the berm does not appear to be below current <br />