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~- 1 ~' ,.§.~.. MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # INSPECTION DATE 8/30/99 (Page 3) M-77-493 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ACS planting shows a dense establishment of mature grass, and the 1998 planting shows very good germination and first season growth. The two biosolids areas inspected are an indication that the program will be an effective means to establish vegetation on topsoil deficient reclamation projects at Climax. The 3-Dam reclamation project and the Ten Mile tailing pond were inspected. The face of 3-Dam was capped with borrow material in 1997. During 1998 tailings dust from the Ten Mile Pond drifted onto the capped dam face on the upper two bench slopes. During the summer of 1999, Climax ripped the drifted tailings into the capping material, seeded the affected area, and hydroapplied compost mulch. The hydroapplied compost is being used at a number of reclamation areas at Climax. The compost is believed to be as effective as a wood fiber hydromulch, but is less expensive and may be effective as an organic amendment. In order to prevent further dusting of tailings from the Ten Mile Pond, Climax began using a dust suppressant comprised of cement and wood fiber mulch applied with a hydromulcher. Based on observation during the summer of 1999, this treatment appears to be superior to coherex for the Climax tailings, and may hold up over the winter. This will prevent dusting during the critical period in the spring when the snow has receded but the ponds are inaccessible for palliative application. Drill seeding of the 3-Dam face and the 3-Dam borrow areas has resulted in uneven germination. Apparently some areas were skipped by the drill seeder and will require reseeding. Climax has undertaken a bone yard consolidation and general clean up at the site. It was observed during this inspection that junk and debris has been removed from all areas or is in the process of being removed. Usable or salvageable parts and equipment are being organized and consolidated. Non- usable concrete tailing pipe has been consolidated and will be buried in accordance with the approval issued by the Division on 8/20/99. The East Fork of the Eagle River at the confluence with the Eagle Park Reservoir outlet channel was inspected. Climax is required under the terms of revision SR-02 to monitor water quality in the East Fork above and below the confluence. The initial data show a higher concentration of total iron below the confluence even though the data on reservoir releases show very low iron concentrations. Climax postulates that the outlet channel is being scoured by the reservoir releases after many years of no- flow, and that once the outlet channel is seasoned the total iron concentrations will drop. Based on observations made during this inspection this appears to be a viable explanation. The outlet channel had visibly much higher percentage of fine-grained streambed materials than the East Fork of the Eagle River. It was suggested that Climax add a monitoring point some distance downstream of the confluence. It would be expected that sediments stirred up by the reservoir releases will have settled out a short distance below the confluence, and that total iron concentrations would return to a low level. The Eagle Park Reservoir outlet works were inspected. This is one of the sampling points required under the terms of revision SR-02. The channel between the end of the outlet pipe and the flume has been stabilized with shot Crete. The 7-shaft area was inspected. Climax has removed the superstructure associated with this vent shaft and has installed a poured-in-place concrete closure. Building foundation removal or burial for reclamation has not been completed. There may also be a manway tunnel into the shaft to be sealed. For release of reclamation responsibility on the poured concrete closure, the Division would require a report on the reinforcing, concrete strength, and design to key the closure into competent foundation. cc: Carl Mount. DMG I & E Contact Address ^ CE NAME Brvice Romic ^ BL OPERATOR Climax Molybdenum COI[IpanV ^ FS STREET Climax Mine ^ HW CITY/STATE/ZIP Climax. CO 60429 ^ HMWMD (CH) ^ SE ^ WQCD (CH) ^ OTHER