INSPEC35130

• Permit No: M1988108
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 12/23/1988
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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OBSERVATIONS:
1. Mr, Martin Jones accompanied me on the pre-operation inspection.
The need to include the processing plant area in the permit was discussed. It
was determined that additional Division consideration would be required before
a judgement could be made. Subsequent to the inspection, the Division decided
that the processing plant should be included in the permit area as it is a
beneficiating component of mineral processing, the wastes generated from the
plant will be disposed of in the pit excavation, and its primary function
during the life of the mining operation is to process the mined shale.
Additionally, as was discussed with Mr. Jones, the existing and proposed water
reservoirs will also require incorporation into the permit area, as they are
also characterized as affected land.
As was discussed with Mr. Jones, the following items need to be ac:;omplished
to incorporate the areas into the permit:
a. Identification of the number of additional acres to be aided to
the permit area, and corresponding increase in the permit application
fee;
b. inclusion of the 32 acre processing facility and the water
reservoirs into the existing mining and reclamation plan maps; and,
c. inclusion of a discussion concerning the processing facilities
and water reservoirs in the permit application mining and
reclamation plans.
2. 1~he site inspection included observation of the processing facility and
the current and proposed open pit area.
The currently existing processing facility consists of the office buildings,
concrete storage silos, a coal loadout used to fire the kiln, a kiln where the
shales will be converted into a lightweight aggregate product, ore storage
bins, conveyor structures and a mechanics shop; the adjacent grounds were
dominated by weed species. Mr. Jones related that upgrading of various
components will be undertaken prior to operation commencement.
The currently existing pit and proposed pit area were observed. The shale
material exposed in the current excavation appears to be quite erosive; snow
present on site was observed to be partially covered by apparently wind
deposited shale particles. Minor evidence of rill and gully erosion was
observed.
The proposed pit area is currently covered by a veneer of processed shale
fragments, remnants of previously stockpiled lightweight aggregate products,
The area is dominated by a sparse cover of weeds. Topsoil salvage, screening
and ultimate mixing should improve the material for use as a plant growth
medi tmn,