INSPEC21508 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• (Page 21 • MINE ID rr OR PROSPECTING ID ry M-1979-089 INSPECTION DATE 3/14/01 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 112c permits. The operator was contacted about the inspection arrangements were made to meet at the site. The operator named on page one arrived onsite at 12:45 pm. and was present throughout the rest of the inspection. The permit ID sign was observed at the entrance to the site. All activities are within the permit boundaries. The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. The main area of activity is the eastern end of the permit area, which was added as Amendment AM-02 in 1998. The pit is worked toward the south, dewatered during operations, and backfilled with reject material from the north end toward the south. The surface of the backfilled pad is level and stable, and shows no signs of settling. It is covered by a gravel surface, which would be suitable for light industrial uses. The pit has been excavated to its approved limits on the east side. The eastern part of the pit floor contains some recently backfilled material. Some of it has been generated offsite, and consists of dirt, asphalt pieces, and concrete rubble. The asphalt is inert material, based on its age, and steel reinforcement in the concrete is very minimal. Nearly all of the exposed surfaces of the backfill (north and east pit walls) exhibit material which appears to be from onsite sources, which is in compliance with the approved plan. The operator must ensure that tfie pit does not become a dumping ground for miscellaneous debris or contaminants. The operator stated that there will be little more onsite reject material actually backfilled here, since there is not much more area to mine. Reclamation of the pit will involve sideslope grading to the approved gradient and removing the dewatering pump. Future mining will be limited to material along the west wall of the pit, and the material separating the newer NE pit from the old SE pond. Awash plant is currenly parked there, but was not active at the time of the inspection. There are a few stockpiles of material in the pit, and crushed gravel on the wash plant area, and immediately west of the old SE pond. The old west side ponds were inspected also. These have not been active in several years, and are mostly reclaimed. The slopes are graded and stable, vegetated with typical riverbank and wetland species, and show no sign of erosion. The pond margins all have minor dirt roads on them. There have been a few small patches of knapweed noted around the old ponds in the past, which the operator has been spraying for about two years. The results observed in a couple patches is that the established plants are dead, no live roots were found and no new shoots are emerging. This is encouraging, and the operator must make every effort to ensure that new plants are controlled, and new areas of infestation are prevented. It might help to seed the sprayed banks with an aggressive grass adapted for this site (such as alkali sacaton or inland saltgrass) to compete with the weeds. Diesel for the onsite equipment and dewatering pump is maintained in two tanks near the new pit. Both are earth bermed, though there is no impermeable liners below the tanks. No fuel has spilled, but the sites must be closely monitored due to the proximity to groundwater and surface waters. The bond was recalculated several years ago for the last amendment, and is due for another review. The new figures will be sent to the operator, and the operator will have 60 days during which to provide any needed bond increase. The current bond is 548,885. There were no problems noted during this inspection. For all questions or responses to this report, please contact this inspector at the following address or phone: 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango CO 81301; tel 970/247-5193 or fax 970/247-5104. :ont