INSPEC24186

• Permit No: M1994011
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 1/7/2002
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 12/18/2001
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1994-011
INSPECTION DATE 12-18-2001 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS
OBSERVATIONS
This inspection was conducted At t5he operator's request to verify that significant reclamation efforts were in progress. The
reclamation was being conducted to reduce the reclamation liability at the site because the operator's financial warrantor
reportedly would not issue a warranty in the amount of $118,628.00 as required by DMG per a reclamation cost estimate
calculated on August 15, 2001. The financial warranty was due on November 26, 2001.
During this inspection, highwall backfilling and grading was taking place on the east end of the Feedlot Unit. The remainder
of the Feedlot Unit highwall was already graded to approximately 3:1. A majority of the highwalls in the North Central Unit had
been reduced to approximate 3:1 grade, covered with overburden and partialty covered with topsoil. Depths of replaced topsoil
and overburden was not verified during this inspection. The operator is cautioned to ensure all replacement depths and grades
of slopes are in compliance with specifics of the approved reclamation plan before seeding. Seeding must also be in
compliance with the approved plan, with verification of seed mix, mulch, application of 1 ton gypsum per acre and fertilizer.
The permit was amended since the previous inspection to correct non-compliance issues with the phased reclamation plan,
the installation of a batch plant, the revised settling pond configuration, use of water pumped from the San Miguel River,
installation of a groundwater well and use of water from that well, and relocation of topsoil and overburden stockpiles.
The required sediment pond outlet silt fence filter was put in place and photographic documentation of this corrective action
was submitted to DMG. Condition of this filter will be checked during the next site inspection.
The topsoil piles were seeded after the last inspection to correct a problem listed in that report.. Photographic documentation
of that seeding was submitted to DMG. The operator has since used much of the stockpiled topsoil for recent reclamation,
but will need to monitor remaining piles and reseed them if this seeding is not successful.
DMG recently sent a West End Gravel Co. a letter indicating we had reason to believe that the lack of submittal of adequate
financial warranty was a violation and that a hearing was scheduled for January 23-24, 2002 before the Mined Land
Reclamation Board. This hearing has been withdrawn due to the recent reclamation efforts at the site. The lack of adequate
financial warranty is still considered to be a problem, but the amount of required financial warranty will need to be adjusted to
account far the recent reclamation. DMG will conduct another inspection of the site on January 9, 2002 and recalculate the
reclamation cost estimate based upon site conditions at that time. A financial warranty in the amount calculated at that time
will be required within 30 days of the date DMG mails the calculation to West End Gravel Co.
Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Steve Shuey at the Division's Durangc Field Office. The address
is; Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301, phone no. 970-247-5062.
18 E Contact Address
NAME
OPERATOR
STREET
CITY/STATE/ZIP
Bob Sutherland
West End Gravel Comoanv
P. O. Box 848
Nucla. Colorado 81424
cc: Tom Gillis, DMG
CE
BL
FS
HW
HMWMD (CH)
SE
WOCD (CH)
OTHER