INSPEC42087 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

(Page 21 MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-77-297 INSPECTION DATE 8/18/98 INSPEr:TOR'S INITIALS V~ OBSERVATIONS This inspection occurred in response to operator request. Operator requested the inspection to discuss potential modification to the Reclamation Plan resulting from recently imposed requirements from the Department of Energy (DOE1. The Burros Mine permit area is located approximately 1 mile north of Slick Rock, in portions of the S '/z of the NE'/4, and N '/s of the SE'/4 of Section 30, and in portions of the S '/z of the NW '/4 of Section 29, T44N, R18W, NMPM, San Miguel County. Mine status is ini:ermittent active, operator has commenced final reclamation. The 9.9 acre permit area is located adjacent to pre-law mining disturbances and structures. The Burros Mine permit area includes the Burros portal and associated waste rock stockpiles, venthole, the Burros 5 shaft and associ;3ted waste rock stockpile, the Burros 7 shaft and associated waste rock stockpile, and access road providing access to all portions of affected lands. The operator is conducting reclamation •activities for pre- law disturbances as well as permitted affected lands. DMG holds 519,000 financial warranty. Umetco representative indicated that the DOE had recently required that reclamation of the Burros Mine be conducted to preserve access to the portal and venthole, and that no additional reclamation be conducted at the venthole or within 40' of the existing portal. On 8/24/98, DMG received copy of DOE correspondence to Umetco, dated 8/20/98. The 8/20/98 correspondence from DOE to Umetco, imposes the following requirements: 1/ Recognizing that Umetco has already backfilled the outer portion of the ,Burro Tunne% no additional work shall be performed at the portal site, or within a 40-foot radius of the portal; this area shall be preserved in its present conditions. 2) The ventilation shaft, located approximately 880 feet east northeast from the Burro Tunnel portal shall be preserved in its present condition. 3) Recognizing that the access roads to the Burro Tunnel portal and the ventilation shaft are within the areas to be reclaimed, Umetco shall ensure that these access router are retained, or reconstructed in a manner similar to their present, usable condition. Additionally, DOE indicated a possible financial interest in an existing 600 ton stockpile of low- grade ore, located on a portion of the waste rock stockpile. DOE has not idemcified reclamation requirements for the 600 ton stockpile at this time. The approved Reclamation Plan for the Burros Mine (copy attached) requires that the affected lands shall be reclaimed to support rangeland and wildlife habitat post mining land use; requires clean-up and removal of surface facilities from affected lands; requires closure of all portals, ventholes and shafts to prevent hazards and unauthorized entries; requires recontouring of roa~js, cutbanks and dump surfaces to approximate pre-existing contours, to control surface drainage and to prepare a seeding surface; and requires establishment of a diverse, soil stabilizing vegetative cover.