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<br />A' • ' , • • • <br />INSPECTION REPORT - PAGE 3 <br />FILE N0. M-77-342 <br />DATE: September 3, 1986 <br />Tailings Pond Area: <br />1. The operator is not salvaging topsoil in progression with tailing <br />deposition. Present topsoil salvage procedures may not be appropriate <br />to ensure adequate reclamation of existing disturbances. <br />2. The Division obtained one sample of the tailings for chemical analysis. <br />Test Plots: <br />1. The test plots were reviewed during the inspection. Mr. Jackson <br />indicated that soil chemistry and plant uptake of metal data is. not yet <br />available. In general, the soil covered plots seem to show reasonable <br />success; however, the bare tailings plots do not exhibit vegetation <br />establishment. <br />2. The final evaluation will necessitate more quantitative analysis. Such <br />analyses would include an evaluation of the extent to which to test <br />environment can be transferred to the actual reclamation locations. <br />Urad Reservoir: <br />The Urad reservoir is used as part of the functioning mine (page 5-4; <br />permit). This facility should be included within the permit boundaries. <br />Gravel Pits: <br />1. Gravel pit areas were reviewed. Portions of the large gravel pit <br />located below Ute Park are ready for reclamation. This would include <br />proper grading, top soiling and re vegetation. <br />Recommendations: <br />Tailings Dam: <br />1. Current areas of erosion and tailings exposure indicated the potential <br />for a much more serious long term surface stability problem. As <br />discussed on-site, the operator should assess various alternate <br />procedures that will create less steep outslope gradients (3H:1V or <br />4H:1V). It seems preferable to incorporate such procedures into future <br />dam development activities rather than waiting until the dam hats been <br />completed. <br />Please submit a technical revision which addresses this issue. <br />