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<br />MINE ID ~ OR PROSPECTING ID ~ M-87-143
<br />INSPECTION DATE 08/21/95 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
<br />OBSERVATIONS
<br />This was a partial inspection performed by the Division, for purposes of monitoring this 110
<br />permit and because of its high priority statue. The operator was contacted about the
<br />inspection, and a time was arranged to meet at the Bite. In addition to the operator being
<br />present, Mr. Joe Danni (a member of the MLRB) was also there, though not acting in the role
<br />of a member of the Board.
<br />The two primary items inspected and discussed during this visit were the proposed repiping
<br />of the discharge water and the other reclamation tasks to be performed. The financial
<br />warranty ie $2800.00. At the present time, it ie not regarded ae sufficient to accomplish
<br />all the reclamation needed. This is not regarded as a problem though, as discussed below.
<br />The operator wishes to begin the first stage of reclamation soon.
<br />The discharge water was sampled last year by this Division, and the results of the analyses
<br />were sent to Colo Dept of Health. CDOH has determined that no discharge permit ie needed for
<br />this site.
<br />The annual reports indicate that almost every year there ie some limited activity at the
<br />permit, mostly underground development and maintenance. The cleaning and development of the
<br />underground workings has necessitated the dumping of a relatively small amount of waste rock
<br />on the surface near the portal. The nature of the newly dumped rock is not in question, but
<br />the nature of the old waste rock, over which the recent dumping has been placed, ie not eo
<br />clearly known.
<br />It was discussed that since the ore body ie located several thousand feet into the mountain,
<br />that the majority of the bottom-moat rock ie simply the country rock. When ore was
<br />encountered, it did not get "dumped," but went to the sorting house, then either to the mill
<br />or a separate dump for lower grade material, all of which sites are separate and downstream
<br />from this area. Those other areas, in fact, have not been disturbed by the operator. The
<br />surface of the waste rock pile, on both benches, shows no metal staining on the rock, other
<br />signs of contamination by debris or rubbish.
<br />This site contains extensive historic and pre-law disturbance. The approved reclamation plan
<br />states that pre-existing disturbance that ie not redisturbed would not be reclaimed. There
<br />is an area of cribbed mill tailings in the permit area, which has not been disturbed by since
<br />the permit was issued. There are the remnants of a mill building, consisting almost entirely
<br />of timbers, which ie to remain oneite. The structure has been given official historic
<br />statue, and the Forest Service has instructed Mr. Gydesen to not disturb or remove it. There
<br />are also two pre-existing structures oneite, which are not historic but are actually utilized
<br />in this operation. These are in good condition, and are to be left on the site, according
<br />to the landowner's wishes. There ie much volunteer vegetation, encroaching from the
<br />surrounding forest, which has become established on many of the surfaces disturbed in the
<br />past. There are very few weeds.
<br />The permittee'e disturbance consists of the dumping of waste rock on the benches near the
<br />portal, importing varied underground mining equipment and materials, and the use of the two
<br />mine buildings, ae mentioned above. The items and structures oneite consist of about eight
<br />ore care, a mocker, fuel tank on a trailer, 15 x 20 steel building, various hoses and pipes,
<br />timbers, and odd lengths of track. The steel building ie on an earthen floor, and houses a
<br />portable gen set. There is electric service to the site. There ie also some equipment
<br />underground, according to the operator. All these loose items must be removed, some
<br />structures removed, plus some grading of the surfaces of the waste rock, repiping the
<br />discharge, and appropriate portal closure performed.
<br />The reclamation plan was reviewed during the inspection. Regarding the reclamation of the
<br />structures which have received recent use, the benched waste rock pile, the equipment, parts
<br />and debris above ground, the access road and the portal closure, the treatment they receive
<br />during reclamation must conform to the approved plan. it was discussed that if the operator
<br />and/or landowner desires to perform a slightly different treatment or reclamation of the
<br />items listed above, anything that varies from the specifics in the approved plan moat be
<br />presented to the Division, in writing, for approval prior to its implementation. This may
<br />include written confirmation from the landowner that certain structures or roads shall remain
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