INSPEC27138

• Permit No: M1985023
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: DMG MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 8/5/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• (Page 21 •
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-85-023
INSPECTION DATE 08/05/97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
OBSERVATIONS
This was a monitoring inspection conducted by the Division as a follow up to the prior inspection (gated 06/05/97) at which
numerous problems were found, and for which the operator was to perform corrective actions. The ope ator was contacted about
this inspection, but was unable to be present for it.
Correspondence has been recently received by the Division from the operator indicating that some of the jequired clean up activities
have begun. Observations made during this inspection corroborated the information submitted by the op~rator. Clean up activities
involving the following were noted:
1. removal of fuel-contaminated and oil-contaminated soils;
2. removal of drums of indeterminate types of waste oil lacking adequate containment; and ~~
3. removal of spilled asphalt material at the plant.
Soils which were contaminated due to spillage of hydrocarbons have apparently been removed from the s~te. There was no location
seen where these materials were redeposited on the site. In several places at the hot plant, where con nued handling of the fuel
or other fluids will occur, placement of plastic lining material was seen. The capacity of the lined area was not large, so unless
only small volumes of fluids are kept there, these lined structures should be enlarged as necessary t contain the amounts of
materials contained therein. It appeared that some of the spilled asphalt under the conveyor and tower as been removed, though
there is still a significant amount left there (several feet deep in placesl. The rotating asphalt dru has leaked a thick tarry
substance onto the ground for some time, and that material is still present. ~
At the middle level bench where numerous pieces of junk equipment and oil-filled drums was previou ly observed, a significant
difference was noted during this inspection. All of the drums are gone, and mast of the contaminated s it has been removed also.
There appeared to be fewer pieces of junk equipment present also, though an accurate accounting of these pieces was not
performed this time.
At the upper level, the pit itself, the diesel contaminated soil at the generator trailer has been removed, as has the soil previously
seen under the loader. The generator is still there, but fuel does not appear to be stared presently.
The ramp road which passes over BLM land west of the permit area is still passable, though the ope~tor states that it will be
physically made inaccessible. The operator should contact the BLM regarding approved closure stand rds.
This site is not fully cleaned up, and the problems noted in the previous report are not abated. But a significant improvement has
been made at the site in regards to hazards to the hydrologic balance, liability to overall reclamation, and iscontinued entry on BLM
lands. Because completion of these actions must be communicated to this office by a certain date, the operator should continue
diligently to complete the work begun, and notify this office of progress or completion. There were n new problems noted.
If there are questions about this report, please contact this inspector at the address or phone shown helow
Division of Minerals and Geology
484 Turner Dr, Bldg. F-101
Durango CO 81301
phone: [phone].
I & E Contact Address
NAME Fred Schmalz
OPERATOR Schmalz Construction Ltd.
STREET PO Box 1105
CITY/STATElZIP Gunnison CO 81230
cc: Tom Gillis, DMG
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