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• (Page 21 <br /> <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1979-166 <br />INSPECTION DATE 12-20-2000 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was conducted as part of The Division of Minerals and Geology IDMGI monitoring program for permitted <br />mines in Colorado. <br />The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1 .12. <br />The operator confirmed that until recently the site has been idle since Elam succeeded to the permit in 1998. A stipulation <br />to the approval of Conversion No. 1 specified that prior to excavating Phase 2, the operator was to notify DMG so the <br />reclamation cost estimate could be recalculated to account for the additional disturbance and the financial warranty be <br />increased accordingly. This notification did not occur and an estimated 80 percent of Phase 2 has recently been excavated. <br />Phase 2 mining has left a near vertical highwall on the north side which may not bet accounted for in the reclamation cost <br />estimate. The operator must verify that the maximum 3.3 acres of unreclaimed excavation area has not been exceeded <br />and supply DMG with dimensions of the current highwall and dimensions of the proposed maximum highwall to occur in <br />Phase 2. Verification that Phase 1 pit slopes have been backfilled to the required 3:1 grade from 5 feet above to ten feet <br />below waterline, and have been backfilled to a 2;1 grade elsewhere, is also required, The permit indicates that the portion <br />of Phase 1 slopes adjacent to Phase 2 will not be backfilled until Phase 2 excavation is complete. Please specify the <br />dimensions of this portion of Phase 1 that still requires backfilling. The information specified above must be submitted by <br />January 31, 2001. The reclamation cost estimate will be recalculated upon receipt of these figures and adequate financial <br />warranty will be required to be posted promptly upon determination of the revised reclamation cost amount. If Elam <br />Construction, Inc. wishes, a technical revision can be submitted to include proposed maximum disturbance while mining <br />Phase 3 so the reclamation cost estimate can be calculated for reclamation of the entire site rather than phased reclamation <br />as is currently approved and banded for. <br />Soine small patches of knapweed were noted scattered about the site. The operator has implemented, and is encouraged <br />to continue weed control operations until the knapweed problem is controlled. Care should be taken when spraying <br />herbicides at this site due to the close proximity of water resources such as the pit pond and the Gunnison River. Herbicide <br />application should take place during the bud growth stage of the lifecycle in the spring and again in the fall. After herbicide <br />application, the soil in the vicinity of the infestation needs to be tilled to counter the allelopathic affects of the knapweed. <br />The area must then be seeded in late fall with highly competitive perennial grass species. Stressing the knapweed with <br />herbicide applications and overcoming the allelopathic affects of the plant allows the grasses to gain the upper hand and <br />choke out the knapweed. This problem was listed in a previous report so it is not re-listed as a problem in this report. <br />Stockpiles of topsoil need to be seeded if they will not be replaced ion reclaimed areas within the next field season. The <br />overburden stockpiles are located adjacent to the north side of the Phase 2 excavation as specified in the permit. <br />The approved reclamation plan indicates that there will be no connection between the Gunnison River and the resulting <br />pi[ lake. The operator is reminded that the low area of the dike between the river and the lake will need to be built up and <br />armored to prevent this connection from occurring. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Steve Shuey at the Division's Durango Field Office. The address <br />is; Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301 ,phone no. 970-247-5062. <br />SW/4 SE/4 Sec. 11, T15S, R96W, 6th P.M. <br />I & E Contact Address <br />NAME Tom Loaue <br />OPERATOR Elam Construction. Inc. <br />STREET 1225 South 7'" Street <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP Grand Junction Colorado 81501 <br />cc: Tam Gillis, DMG <br />CE Randy Snyder - G.J. Office <br />BL <br />^ FS <br />^ HW <br />^ HMWMD ICHI <br />^ SE <br />^ WOCD (CHI <br />^ OTHER <br />