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<br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-94-117
<br />INSPIiCTION DATE 4 2 96 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ACS
<br />OBSERVATIONS
<br />The primary purpose of this inspection was to determine the statue of the spray evaporation
<br />syete~m that was required to be installed in the tailing pond by 4/1/96. The operator had
<br />installed a spray system, and the system was operational at the time of this inspection. A
<br />recirculating pump had been installed on a stand at the southwest end of the pond. The pump
<br />intaY:e is screened. Two main 2 inch lines have been strung along the long axis of the pond.
<br />X-mariifolda with 4 spray heads each have been installed every ten feet or eo along the main
<br />lineei. The operator is going to increase the length of the main lines and install additional
<br />apra}• heads, and will also upgrade the pump to a 250 gpm model. The operator will also be
<br />eleve~ting the main lines by placing them on pipe stands. It ie the Division's view that
<br />spra}• evaporation within the lined area of the pond needs to be maximized.
<br />There ie considerably more water in the pond than was present during the winter months,
<br />however, there is still about 2 feet of freeboard. The operator must run the spray
<br />evaporation system daily ae long as the water level in the pond is above the level of the
<br />spray system pump intake. The operator must maintain a log which documents the tailing pond
<br />water level prior to each pumping episode, and following each pumping episode, ae well as the
<br />duration of pumping, general description of weather conditions (temperature, approximate wind
<br />speed, and description of cloud cover and precipitation), and a description of any problems
<br />that are encountered. A copy of the log must be provided to the Division monthly, or upon
<br />request, along with the log of pumping-up from the Hazel-A ad it.
<br />The operator had been directed to provide the Division with a proposal for additional water
<br />balance contingency measures by the end of the day on 4/6/96. Rased on discussions during
<br />this inspection, and on previous discussions, it is understood that the operator intends to
<br />propose a land application scheme. The general requirements for land application were
<br />discussed, and the operator's forthcoming proposal was outlined. It was agreed that the
<br />operator's primary attention should be on the upgrades to the spray evaporation system during
<br />the first week of April, and that the 4/5/96 deadline to provide a proposal for additional
<br />contingency measures would be waived. The operator will provide a design for a land
<br />application system ae soon ae possible, but not later than 4/12/96. The requirement to have
<br />the land application system, or whatever other water balance contingency measures that are
<br />approved, installed and operating by 5/1/96 remains in effect.
<br />The H~szel-A ad it was inspected. On 4J1/96, the Division received a telephone report from Bob
<br />Mason, resident of the Town of Gold Hill, that the coffer dam in the Hazel-A adit had
<br />overtopped ae of 3/30/96. The operator was notified of this situation, and subsequently
<br />reported to the Division that the power supply to the Coffer dam sump pump had been
<br />inadv~srtently left in a disconnected condition. The power was reconnected on the afternoon
<br />of 4/1/96. The operator reported that no discharge to Cash Gulch had occurred ae a result
<br />of th.Le failure to operate the pump-back system. At the time of this inspection, the power
<br />to the sump pump was again found to be disconnected, however, there was still substantial
<br />freeboard in the sump. It ie critical that power be maintained to the Hazel-A pump back
<br />system at all times. To that end, the Division will require that the following measures be
<br />taken: (1) A11 electrical connections in the Hazel-A adit that are not in junction boxes
<br />shall be replaced with a twist lock type, or the equivalent; (2) The operator will maintain
<br />a clip-board or log book in the Hazel-A ad it, and each person that enters the ad it, for any
<br />reason, shall verify by their signature, that upon leaving the adit, power to the pumps is
<br />turned-on, the bulkhead, coffer dam, and pump-back systems are operating ae intended, and the
<br />porta:L hatch ie locked. The date and time must accompany each entry in the log. See PB #1
<br />and PB #2 on the last page of this report.
<br />It was noted during this inspection, that ground water inflows to the Hazel-A adit have
<br />increased relative to the inflows observed during the winter months. Given the damp
<br />condition of the Hazel-A ad it, including water standing in low spots, and water dripping from
<br />the bexck, the Division is concerned with the safety of the electrical systems in the adit.
<br />The Minerals Program of the Division of Minerals and Geology has no authority over safety
<br />conaicleratione at mine sites, but we are concerned with the safety of Division inspectors and
<br />mine site personnel. With that concern in mind, it ie recommended that all electrical
<br />connections, junction boxes, and power switches be replaced with a weather proof type, and
<br />that lamps be properly guarded. Electrical equipment in the Hazel-A should be brought into
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