INSPEC39201

• Permit No: M1977215
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: NOTICE OF INSPECTION & INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 7/27/1982
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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423 Centennial ©uild ing, 1313 Sherman Slre°t
Denvar, Colorado 80203 Tel. [phone]
David C. Shelton
Director
,NOTICE OF INSPECTION
AND
INSPECTI0~1 REPORT
?17E OF P+i'SPEGTIQV: July 27, 1982 ~ ho problems noted at time of inspectiu
As a reminder, be sure to file your
'i~,y1E OF OPERATOR: Mr. David Vietti Annual Report or notice of Intent to
Continue on [he Permit Anniversary Dat~
r~DDRESS: Homestake Mining Company
^X Possible problem(s) - ;iote recocanznda-
1726 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401 lion(s) below to avoid Eurther complic
lions or possible violation(s) at the
?,E:: F~IIE NO.: 77-215 N[InE: Bu11doR Mtn. Operation [ime of [he next inspection.
(Please note the instructions indicated by
an X to the righC.)
OBSERVATICA~'S OF I~ORTP\CE:
Possible violation(s) - :Tote recocmiend:~
lion(s) below and reply [o [he Divisio.-
by to avoid
enforcement action.
Possible violation(s) pose(s) an
immediate threat of harm to the
environment, public welfare, or
continued operation. Enforcement
action forthcoming.
We were accompanied by 3 company officials (Cale Hanson, Rich Bohling, and Dave Vietti) as
we inspected three sites within the permitted area: the two tailings ponds, and the mine
and mill area.
A. Lower Tailings Pond
The plan submitted April 29, 1982 (for the recovery of seepage fluids below the dam) is
being implemented. The construction of the slurry wall is complete and the construction
of the collection trench is approximately halfway to completion. Placement of the filter
cloth, gravel, and perforated pipe was observed and photographed. The downstream toe of
the embankment is dry, appears stable, and shows no signs of erosive damage or recent
grading/repair; vegetative cover on outslope is good. Stream channel below slurry wall
is dry.
Portions of the diversion ditch around the west side of the lower tailings pond are very
steep and may be subject co extensive erosion. These stretches should be monitored
regularly and armored if necessary.
The company expects to be able to use this empoundment Eor another 5 years (or longer)
under full production conditions.
B, Upper Tailings Pond ~ '
The upper tailings pond is being emptied of tailings by using a suction dredge to return
tailings to the mill for cyanide leaching. This dredging is expected to continue for
another 2 years (or longer)...the cyanide circuit has recently been shut down and the
dredging has been suspended.
This empoundment has no spillway; emergency discharge will be through a decant tower
(made of steel pipe, approximately 2' in diameter) wiCh n riprnpped disc h;u'gc point.
There is good grass cover on the outslopes of the cnnbanlanent.
Mine and PIi11 Area
Overall production is reported to have been recently reduced by approximately 20% and the
carbon-in-pulp cyanide leaching circuit is not being used. Overall, this area is well
organized and maintained.

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