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(Page 2) MINE 10 # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1984-041 INSPECTION DATE 9-17-2002 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS. GRM OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted at the operator's request to get input from DMG and BLM regarding reclamation of areas disturbed by the original mining operation on the west side of County Road 51. The operator indicated that approximately 70,000 tons of waste material had been hauled to this location to backfill the old highwalls and benches. The material was being placed and compacted by dozer and hydraulic excavator. Compacted slopes were completed at an approximate grade of 2H:1 V-2.5H:1 V with a short portion of existing bench exposed at the bottom to provide a stable toe to the slope. The location of an old waste material dump on a steep slope was inspected to determine what measures would need to be taken to reclaim that slope. The slope grade was estimated at slightly steeper than 2H:1 V. The slope has very little vegetation established in the form of woody shrubs. The slope appears to have been washed clean of any loose fines, leaving a slightly crusted surface. Though this crust may minimize erosion from this surface, it will also inhibit vegetative establishment. Additionally, the overall stability of the dump is not known without knowledge of how the material was placed and of the surface it was placed on. Therefore the operator indicated that an excavator would be used to pull back the crest of the slope, as far down as the excavator boom will reach. This measure should remove the majority of loading on the slope by removing fhe upper half of the dump. This operation should reduce the grade of this reworked portion of the slope to approximately 2.5H:1 V and loosen the material, resulting in an improved seed bed for revegetation establishment. All backfilling and grading operations need to be completed to a slope that promotes positive drainage off of the highly erodable, gypsum rich material used in backfilling or otherwise reworking the reclamation areas. Concentrated flows or ponding on these areas will likely result in erosion and/dr created voids in the material. The operator is encouraged to loosen the crusty surface on the remainder of the dump surface prior to seeding. This may be accomplished with the excavator bucket teeth or possibly just by walking across the slope. Silt fence or other means to control sediment transport from this location should be installed at the base of the slope unless mulch and tackfier, adequate to control erosion, are applied prior to snow fall this winter. Evidently little to no topsoil exists for placement on these slopes prior to revegetation. However, the operator indicated that over the past several years they have been successful in establishing adequate vegetative cover on the waste material generated by the mining operation. The mine identification sign was in place and in compliance. Affected area boundary markers were not inspected. A brief, cursory look at the active pit was made. No significant erosional features or noxious weed infestations were noted. The reclamation cost estimate was not recalculated as part of this inspection. The current estimate was recalculated less than three years ago and the operation appears to be in compliance with the approved mine plan and reclamation plan. Therefore, the current financial warranty is believed to be adequate to reclaim the site per the approved reclamation plan. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Steve Shuey at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Grand Junction Field Office, 101 South 3rd Street, Room 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, phone number 970-243-6368. NAME OPERATOR STREET CITY/STATE/ZIP cc: ^ CE ^ BL -Glenwood Springs Office ^ FS ^ HW ^ HMWMD (CHI ^ SE ^ WOCD (CH) ^ OTHER