INSPEC38286

• Permit No: M1977211
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: DMG MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 3/7/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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,MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-77-211
INSPECTION DATE March 7, 1997 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS
OBSERVATIONS
1. A site inspection was made of the Pikeview Quarry, located 8 miles northwest of downtown
Colorado Springs. Present during the inspection were Rick Paraday and Greg Francis of Castle
Concrete Company and Mark Heffner, consultant to the operator. The quarry is currently
active. Mr. Paraday indicated that there are approximately 7-10 years worth of mineable
reserves remaining based upon current production rates.
2. The Pikeview Quarry is permitted for 210 acres. The operator has posted a financial
warranty of $604,244 which appears to be adequate to complete the reclamation plan. There
have been no significant changes at the quarry since the reclamation cost was last evaluated
in November, 1994. The post-mining land use is wildlife habitat.
3. Mining is progressing as~planned in the lower portion of Area MV. All disturbances were
noted to be within the permitted area. An entrance sign and permit boundary markers were
easily identified as required by Rule 3.1.12.
4. A significant portion of the inspection was spent discussing the components of the base
reclamation and enhanced reclamation plans as well as the effectiveness of various techniques
applied thus far. This inspector was impressed by the sincerety of the operator to achieve
the best possible reclamation of the quarry given the resources allocated toward reclamation.
5. The base reclamation plan that Castle Concrete Company is responsible for includes
stabilizing highwalls, regrading and stabilization of overburden stockpiles, application of
available topsoil, and providing a revegetation ground cover that will be adequate to
stabilize reclaimed slopes. The ground cover will be composed primarily of grasses, although
some shrub species are included in the revegetation seed mix. The operator has learned
through revegetation test plots, trial and error, and research that the most effective method
for reestablishing shrubs at the quarry is through direct seeding.
6. The enhanced reclamation plan that local citizens (Colorado Mountain Reclamation
Foundation) will implement includes planting of trees and shrubs over various portions of the
quarry as well as providing funding and labor to apply a soil stain called "permeon" to the
old exposed highwall in Area RB. Permeon will be applied to darken and therefore lessen the
visual impact of the old exposed highwall. Castle Concrete Company, although not obligated
to do so, has joined the local citizens in a coopertive effort to implement the enhanced
reclamation plan. So far, Castle Concrete Company has donated manpower toward the test
application of staining portions of the old highwall. The permeon stained portions of the
old highwall are definately darker and more aesthetically pleasing. However, the material
and application coat is high and there is evidence of natural limestone sloughing following
application thereby again exposing fresh, light colored rock.
7. The availability of topsoil at the quarry for reclamation is limited. The operator has
an on-going program of receiving topsoil, plant growth medium, and woody debris from various
sources in the Colorado Springs area. The operator estimated that as much as 500 cubic yards
of useable material is brought in each month which is then used to reclaim portions of the
quarry. Also available on site is a 10,000 cubic yard topsoil stockpile.
8. At the time of inspection the operator was in the process of reclaiming the upper benches
of the active highwall in Area SF. At least 12 inches of good quality topsoil and large
woody debris in the form of logs and/or stumps is being applied to the southern portion of
several benches. This inspector believes the operator has performed exceptionally well in
creating a "roughened" appearance to the reclaimed benches. The roughened surface should
provide a desirable seedbed for revegetation, minimize the potential for surface erosion, and
create a favorable habitat for a number of wildlife species.
9. The only concerns noted during the inspection are there is evidence of soil slumping
along the reclaimed slope immediately south of the Shop Building in Area SF and there are
several areas of significant gully erosion in or near the stormwater drainage containment
system, also located in Area SF. The Division considers these features to be characteristic
of unstable slopes and will therefore require the operator to perform corrective measures
within a timely manner. Both these concerns can be addressed by submittal of a technical
revision which provides a plan for stabilization of the unstable slopes. Please see page 3