_INSPECTION - M1983052 ‎(19)‎

• Permit No: M1983052
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: NOTICE OF INSPECTION & INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 7/15/1986
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

INSPECTION REPORT - PAGE 2
FILE NO. M-83-052
DATE: July 15, 1986
OBSERVATIONS OF IMPORTANCE:
1 . Mr. Garry Miller of Marathon, and Mr. Steve Bennett of the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) were present during the inspection.
2. Site is presently inactive except for maintenance and minor test
extractions.
3. The Joker Pit adjacent to the plant remains open and unreclaimed.
Future test extractions may be done here.
4. The hill above the plant has been graded, re-topsoiled, harrowed and
seeded. Sparse vegetation is growing. This is the area where
unpermitted stockpiles had been placed.
5. Although Marathon is now permitted for cyanide use, and cyanide
processing equipment is intact, the operator is no longer using
cyanide. All cyanide pulps have been detoxified with chlorine and are
stored in barrels inside the plant facilities. No lined disposal site
has been installed for these pulps.
6. Laboratory testing has involved the use of a variety of toxic materials,
including HBr, nitric acid, and mercury. Ore concentrates treated with
these chemicals are stored on-site in barrels and are not disposed of.
When operations are of such magnitude that these materials require
disposal , the operator will notify the Division of their plans for
disposal . Chemicals are presently adequately contained on-site.
7. Topsoil stockpiles are sparsely vegetated and not sloped to 3:1 slopes.
No active erosion is apparent due to the furrowed stockpile surface and
sandy nature.
8. Due to a recent joint venture agreement with Hecla Mining Company, the
operator expects that test operations will resume within one week, with
an expected production rate of 40-50 tons per daffy.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. The topsoil stockpiles need to be vegetated to protect them from
erosion. The staff recommends that the seed mixture approved in the
permit be hand broadcast in late fall . If a proper vegetative cover is
not established and active erosion becomes apparent, the topsoil pile
should be properly graded or bermed to protect against loss.
/bdc
2571F