INSPEC41491

• Permit No: M1983084
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 8/15/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-83-084
INSPECTION DATE August 15, 1997 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS
1. A site inspection was made for the purpose of conducting a survey of the pit and
surrounding area to determine the extent of disturbance and to verify whether the operation
is in compliance with the mine plan presented in the February, 1996 permit amendment. A
survey was conducted with the assistance of Mr. Bob Welch, GPS Instructor with the Office of
Surface Mining. A GPS Geo-Explorer II unit was used to conduct the survey.
2. The results of the survey indicate that the pit disturbance is 9.8 acres and that the
highwall height ranges from 35 to 131 feet. A weighted average highwall height of 90 feet
was calculated assuming a maximum water depth of 15 feet at the south end of the pit. These
conditions are not consistent with the criteria presented in the 1996 permit amendment, ie:
a maximum pit disturbance of 8.0 acres and a maximum depth of excavation of 100 feet. Also
noted in a previous inspection report dated August 4, 1997 is that there appear to be 60
acres of affected (disturbed) land. The 1996 permit amendment also lists that the affected
land total will be at or less than 29 acres. These conditions indicate a condition of non-
compliance with the mine plan. The Division considers this matter to be problem that will
require corrective measures by the operator within 60 days in order to bring the site into
compliance with the mine plan. (See page 3 for details) Several corrective measure options
are listed below:
A. Submit an appropriate application to modify the existing mine and reclamation plan to fit
the existing disturbance.
C. Perform reclamation to the extent that there are no more than 29 acres of affected land
of which no more than 8 acres is pit disturbance, and backfill the south end of the pit to
the extent that the total highwall height is no more than 100 feet.
3. Also noted in the 1996 permit amendment is a post-mining land use of residential and a
reclamation plan which indicates that the pit will be backfilled to within 10 to 15 feet of
the surface, then regraded, seeded, and revegetated. Based on the current configuration of
the pit and the survey results, 863,346 cubic yards of backfill material will be needed.
Since these conditions seem cost prohibitive, the Division encourages the operator to
carefully consider whether these conditions should remain in the reclamation plan and whether
a post-mining land use of residential is practical and feasible.
4. There is a second processing plant being constructed on a bench immediately south of the
small topsoil stockpile and east of the pit. So far, at least one concrete foundation has
been established. The second processing plant is not mentioned in the current mine plan.
Therefore, the Division considers this matter to be a problem that will require corrective
measures by the operator. The Division requests that the operator submit an application for
a technical revision to the permit to include this disturbance as part of the affected land,
to provide building and foundation dimensions, and to provide plans for reclamation as well
as bonding of the processing plant and/or associated buildings. The Division also requests
that the operator delay any further construction of the second processing plant until a
technical revision for this activity is approved. See page 3 for details.
5. The operator is in compliance with the State Engineers Office regarding use of water from
the Middle Fork of the South Platte River for industrial purposes. However, a copy of this
report is being sent to the State Engineers Office to bring to their attention the
observation that the pit floor contains approximately 9 surface acres of water. It is the
opinion of the operator and this inspector that at least some, if not all, of the exposed
water is derived from snowmelt and surface runoff. The Division of Minerals & Geology would
appreciate a copy of any correspondance from the State Engineers Office to the operator in
the event that there is exposed ground water at the pit or if there are any outstanding water
compliance issues.
6. The reclamation plan indicates that water lines will be removed during final reclamation.
This inspector will evaluate the water intake system and pipeline during the next scheduled
site inspection for purposes of calculating a reclamation cost.