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<br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1977-311
<br />INSPECTION DATE 05/29/03
<br />OBSERVATIONS
<br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE
<br />This inspection occurred in response to the operator's request for reduction in financial warranty for
<br />completion of closure of mine openings, demolition of structures, backfilling, grading and topsoil
<br />replacement. The SR-13A Mine is located approximately one mile north of Slick Rock, within DOE lease
<br />block C-SR-13A, in portions of the SE'/< of Section 24 and NE'/< of Section 25, T44N, R18W, and in
<br />portions of the SW '/< of Section 19 and NW'/<of Section 30, T44N, R19W, NMPM, San Miguel County.
<br />The 110 permit is approved for underground extraction of uranium and vanadium ores. Affected lands
<br />will be reclaimed to support rangeland and wildlife habitat post mining land use. The operator had
<br />previously posted $31,000 reclamation bond with DOE, which exceeded DMG's reclamation cost
<br />estimation. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 4.2.1(8), DMG holds $100 financial warranty.
<br />Three portal closures, two pre-law, appeared to have been closed and/orappropriatelyssfeguarded with
<br />bat gates. Waste rock stockpiles had been graded to stable slopes, which blended with surrounding
<br />topography, and pocked to detain runoff, trap sediment and seed, and control erosion. The shallow
<br />depressions were arranged in a series of offset rows, which had been excavated throughout the graded
<br />waste rock stockpile. Available topsoil had been redistributed. Buildings and mine related structures had
<br />been removed or buried on site. Access roads were ripped and/or graded for drainage control and to
<br />encourage revegetation. Evidence of application of a revegetation seed mix was observed. However,
<br />evidence of germination of the revegetation seed was not observed. Vegetative cover was not
<br />sufficiently established to satisfy the performance standards of Rule 3.1.10, forfull release of warranties.
<br />Backfilled and graded areas appeared stable, no evidence of settling, sliding or excessive erosion was
<br />observed. Observations made during the inspection and recorded in this report indicate thatthe operator
<br />has successfully completed reclamation in accordance with permit conditions and the Act and Rules, with
<br />the exception of revegetation. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the operator's request for
<br />reduction in the amount of warranty.
<br />DMG has calculated the current cost of reclamation, totaling $5,416. Copy of DMG's 6/2/03 reclamation
<br />cost estimation, totaling $5,416, is enclosed with this report. DOE has informed DMG of its
<br />recommendation to retain $6,000 of its reclamation bond. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 4.2.1(8), if DOE
<br />retains at least $5,416 of its reclamation bond, DMG's $100 financial warranty will remain sufficient.
<br />No problems or possible violations were observed.
<br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to the Division of Minerals and Geology, 701
<br />Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301, Attn: Wally Erickson, phone no. 970-247-5469.
<br />I & E Contact Address
<br />NAME
<br />OPERATOR
<br />STREET
<br />CITY/STATE/ZIP
<br />Glen Williams
<br />Cotter Corporation
<br />P.O. Box 700
<br />Nucla. CO 81424
<br />cc: Harry Posey, DMG
<br />^ CE
<br />^ BL
<br />^ FS
<br />^ HW
<br />^ HMWMD (CH)
<br />^ SE
<br />^ WOCD (CH)
<br />X DOE, Michael K. Tucker
<br />
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