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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1999-022 INSPECTION DATE 11/15/02 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 110 permits. The operator's representative was contacted about the inspection, and a time was arranged to meet at the site. The operator named on page one was present throughout the inspection. The required permit ID sign was posted at the entrance gate to the site (1/2 mile east of the permit area). All permit boundary markers were observed (steel T-postsl. The..permit area consists of 3 distinct areas: a 2.75-acre recharge pit which is the present excavation area, a 1.24-acre area adjoining the pit which is where processing and stockpiling occur, and a separate 6-acre excavation area over Yz mile away. No disturbance has occurred in the 6-acre excavation area to- date. The existing pit floor is about 15 to 20 below the surrounding land. There is a 3 to 4 foot berm around the perimeter of the pit, which acts to define the limits of the pit. The size of the pit and location of the berm will not be changed, though the pit continues to be mined deeper. The pit inslopes are required to meet specific gradient criteria for stability and the reclamation plan. Presently the slopes are mostly too steep. The operator stated that they would be backfilled before mining deeper. It is important that this be performed soon since backfilling will require material which must be present onsite, and since it will be more difficult if left undone as the pit deepens. The bond amount must be adequate to cover all reclamation costs, so the mining plan must be followed. The pit is dry and has been all season. There is about 3500 cubic yards of various materials stockpiled in the pit. The stockpile and process area contains about 2,500 cubic yards of various stockpiled materials. There is minimal equipment presently onsite: a conveyorlscreen and a generator trailer. No soil contamination from fuel or oil was observed. There is minimal debris and no noxious weeds. There is a bit of agricultural and general construction equipment on areas outside this permit area. The operator was reminded that, though that equipment could remain there, no mining equipment or mining activity of any kind could be on areas outside the permit boundary. Eventually the operator will finish a bridge over the Rio Grande Canal which will provide more direct access between the stockpile area and the future 6-acre excavation area. The I-beams are in place but no decking is installed yet. Road access to the excavation area exists now, but without the bridge the route is longer. These are details from the approved plan. The operator inquired about adding concrete batching to the'list of approved activities. He was told that to add such an activity required a technical revision. There is a $188 fee for technical revisions, but no form to fill out. It would consist of a short explanation of the areas of the existing permit which were to be revised. All pertinent updated exhibit information needed to be included, such as revised maps or text. If certain activities added to the onsite disturbance, the bond could increase. He was informed that no matter who did the batching, and even though it may be temporary, it must occur inside the permit boundary. The operator also asked about how to add land to the permit, so that concrete batching could occur adjacent to the existing 1.24-acre process yard. He was informed that adding land generally takes the form of a permit amendment. Adding any land to this permit will increase the acreage to ten acres or more, which requires that the permit be converted to a 112 permit. The operator wishes to keep the permit as a 110 permit, so a release of some reclaimed or undisturbed acreage would have to occur first, to keep the acreage below 10 acres. It was also discussed that a "land exchange" could be requested, which abbreviates the process of reconfiguring the permit boundary. Information pertaining to that process will be attached to the operator's copy of the inspection. This site is scheduled for a bond review, which will be calculated and sent to the operator if a bond increase is indicated, The existing bond is $7,900. There were no additional items observed or discussed. No problems exist at this time. All responses or questions about this inspection report should be directed to this inspector at the Division's Durango Field Office. The address is: Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301; telephone 970/247-5193, or fax 970/247-5104.