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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1977-300 INSPECTION DATE: November 6, 2000 OBSERVATIONS INSPECTOR'S INIT ALS: AIW This was a monitoring inspection conducted by Tony Waldron and Jim Stevens of DMG. The primary purpose of the inspection was to familiarize the inspectors with the mining and reclamation operations being conducted at the Schwartzwalder Mine along with obtaining a more clear understanding of the recent proposal to change the mine from a hard rock to a construction materials operation. The mine is located approximately 7 miles northwest of Golden, Colorado. The facilities are situated in a deeply dissected canyon/valley of Ralston Creek. The primary ore-body is generally located due south of the facilities location and was accessed by a series of horizontal drifts that lead to vertical shahs which decend down into the mine. The operator has suspended mining operations at this time and is allowing the mine to flood. They are reserving the opportunity to resume mining in [he event market conditions improve at some point in the future. It was not exactly clear when production operations were stopped, but the latest annual report (October 5, 2000) indicates that the mine is not in temporary cessation and will continue operations in the next report year. However, if the mine has ceased production of the mining operations for 180 days or more, the operator must File a Notice of Temporary Cessation in writing to our office. The justification and procedures for doing so are included in Rule 1.13 of the Hard Rock/Metal Mining Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. A copy of this rule is attached to this report. If Notice of Temporary Cessation is not pursued, the operator is required to reclaim the mine within five years of suspending production. Apparently, there are some mop-up operations continuing at this site which enables the mine to remain active at this time, however, the above timeframes should be noted with consideration given for how the mine will proceed once all production operations have ceased. The physical inspection began by observing some recently completed reclamation just above and to the west of the main facilities area at an area known as the Charley level. This portal/adit was filled and plugged with concrete followed by backfilling to blend into the surrounding area. The surface material appeared to be of reasonably good quality soil such that evegetation should not present a problem. In fact, some of the grasses had begun to germinate and small trees that had been planted appeared to be surviving. Although the area is quite steep, the surface of the backfill was left in a roughened condition and hopefully erosion will not be a problem. The inspection continued by observing some abandoned drill roads that have essentially self-reclaimed through lack of use. Some other drill roads near the upper vent shaft were also inspected. These roads have had some backfilling conducted on them to restore the contours. The material used in backfilling is rather coarse and vegetation is not likely to establish quickly in these areas. A small amount of the noxious weed musk thistle (Carduus nutans) was observed in this area. Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens), another perennial noxious weed, was also observed along the road just above the Charley level. As noxious weeds are required to be controlled on permitted mine sites, a noxious weed management plan should be incorporated into the permit application which identifies sfrecific control measures that will be implemented to manage these and any other infestations of noxious weeds that may appear. The Jefferson County Weed Control District Qim Lile, 303-271-5989) could be contacted to obtain help in developing this plan. The lack of a weed management plan will be cited as a problem on page three of this report along with corrective actions. The inspection continued at the waste dump piles where considerable reclamation activities have occurred recently. The east dump has been completely graded, sloped, terraced, topsoiled, seeded, and mulched. The west dump was mostly reclaimed in the same condition except for the very southern end which still remains open. The physical inspection continued at the main facilities area where a cursory review of the facilities was conducted. This included the water treatment plant, the surface water runoff plan, removal and reclamation of the treatment ponds and removal of the main processin; facility. No problems were observed in these areas. Upon returning to the office, discussions were held about the pending technical revision to convert the mine over to a construction materials operation. It was conveyed that the only way to complete such an action would be through the submittal of a conversion application and since the operator may want to resume production of uranium at some point in the future, perhaps this is not the appropriate step to take. However, it was pointed out that the operator ~:ould submit a completely separate application fora 110 construction materials permit since it was determined that the total disturbance would likely remain very small. This would allow the existing mine to remain in its current status wh le allowing limited production of construction material under a separate permit and financial warranty. Basically, the ability to produce construction materials can be approached from a couple of different angles and the operator will want to evaluate all options carefully before proceeding.