INSPEC31520

• Permit No: M1995034
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 10/1/2000
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 9/21/2001
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• (Page 21 •
MINE ID J! OR PROSPECTING ID N M-1995-034
INSPECTION DATE 9/21/01 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO
OBSERVATIONS
This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 110 permits and as a pre-
operation inspection of the area proposed to be added to the permit under conversion application CN-01, currently under
review. The operator was contacted to arrange a time for the inspection. The operator was present throughout the
inspection.
The permit ID sign was observed posted at the entrance gate to the site. The current 110 permit boundary markers were
observed at the corners of the pit. The corners of the proposed 112 permit boundary were also observed on the site. (This
inspector tailed to observe the required Notice which was to be posted for this conversion application. Perhaps the operator
would respond with a description of where it was located.)
The approved mining plan for the existing permit allows that the entire site be disturbed before reclaiming, but requires that
the limits of excavation be set back from permit boundaries by a sufficient distance to allow a balanced cut and fill method
of slope reduction. This has not occurred, since observations were that the current west, north and east highwalls of the
pit are vertical and located on those respective permit boundaries. The reason for the required setbacks is to allow
maximum excavated volume (down to a depth defined by the groundwater depth) but minimize the slope reduction cost
during reclamation. As the pit exists, either fill will have to be imported from offsite, the onsite floor will have to be
deepened, or offsite areas around the margins of the pit will have to be utilized to provide the required fill to reduce the
slopes. Any of these scenarios act to increase the reclamation cost. There is a problem noted on page one. under the topic
of "general mine plan compliance." Correction of the problem will be to either enlarge the permit area Ibv completing this
conversion process) or to apply to the Division for approval for revising the plan to either mine deeper (closer to the
groundwater) or from areas offsite. Please do not commence earthmoving at this time. The Division recommends that the
corrective action to be followed be the completion of the permit conversion. See the last page for the correction date.
The present highwalls exhibit no distinct topsoil layer, which is consistent with the recent revision of the mining and
reclamation plans, allowing use of the subsoil material as the growth medium in final reclamation. Gravels exist throughout
the profile (though only a low percent by volume, and rarely larger than 1 inch). It is assumed that the same type of subsoil
material extends to the new areas to be mined, and that the same plan details will be appropriate there also. The floor of
the pit is fairly level and, though currently dry, exhibits some alkaline leaching, which is probably due to an inherent
characteristic throughout the mined materials. The operator should monitor the site for increased alkalinity, for the possible
difficulties in later revegetation.
The south wall of the pit has been sloped to final gradient land lies entirely within the permit areal. It has not been
revegetated, and the face of the slope exhibits minor gullying from top to bottom. Runoff and sediment do not leave the
site, but it is clear that the material is easily erodible, making revegetation a priority even on temporary slope locations.
This is not so much for loss of topsoil (since all material here is considered to be adequate growth medium) but for the
increased reclamation costs associated with multiple slope grading.
The area to be included in the 112 permit completely surrounds the present 110 permit area. The operator will expand the
pit in one direction at a time. The land surface slopes very gently to the east, is fairly uniform and smooth, and contains
very few notable features. An abandoned section of an earthen irrigation ditch crosses the site from SW to NE. A faint
dirt two-track trail also is in the east end of the new area. The eastern permit boundary is located on a new 4-strand
barbed wire fenceline owned by the operator.
No disturbance is to occur within the strip of land 100 feet west of the fence, even though it will be included in the permit.
The area to be affected is presently covered in tow-growing, high desert vegetation: mainly greasewood and rabbitbrush,
with scattered prickly pear, and very few grasses or fortis. The small, woody vegetation will be well broken when stripped,
and incorporated into the exporrted aggregate; its disposal will not become a reclamation liability.
The application and the Division's review concerns were discussed during the inspection. The Division's questions will be
included in an adequacy review letter, to be sent under separate cover.
There were other items observed or discussed. 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 [phone], or fax [phone].