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<br />MINE ID J! OR PROSPECTING ID J! M-77-297
<br />INSPECTION DATE 12/9/98 INSPEC:TOR'S INITIALS WHE
<br />OBSERVATIONS
<br />This inspection occurred as part of the review process for request for transfer of permit and succession of
<br />operator (SO-01) from Umetco to Gold Eagle Mining. Applicant for SO-01 and succes~•or operator is Don
<br />Coram, Gold Eagle Mining, Inc., 845 East Main Street, Montrose, CO 81401, phone (970) 249-0404. The
<br />Burros Mine permit is approved for 9.9 acres affected area. DMG holds 519,000 financial warranty. Prior
<br />to SO-01, Umetco had commenced final reclamation. Subsequent to SO-01, reclamation activities have
<br />ceased.
<br />Records Original permit was issued on 2/1/79, to Union Carbide Corporation, 9.9 a~:res affected area,
<br />S2,500 financial warranty, for the underground extraction of uranium and vanadium ore. Permit area is
<br />located approximately 1 mile north of Slick Rock, in portions of the S '/~ of the NW 1 /4 of Section 29, and
<br />in portions of the S % of the NE 1 /4, and N '/z of the SE 1 /4 of Section 30, T44N, R18W, IJMPM, San Miguel
<br />County. Permited affected area includes the Burros portal and associated waste rock stockpile, venthole, the
<br />Burros 5 shaft and associated waste rock stockpile, the Burros 7 shaft and associated waste rock stockpile,
<br />and access road providing access to all portions of affected lands. Pre-law mining disturbances exist adjacent
<br />to and/or surrounding much of the permit area. Permit area is located within DOE lease Mock C-SR-13. On
<br />1/9/91, DMG approved TR-O1, revising the mine status from active to intermittently active. On 10/4/93,
<br />financial warranty was increased to the current 519,000. Operations were in Temporar~r Cessation status,
<br />effective 12/4/96. On 3/24/98, the operator informed DMG of permanent cessation of mining operations and
<br />commencement of final reclamation. DMG records do not indicate additional modifications to the permit.
<br />Reclamation Plan Reclamation plan states that affected area will be reclaimed to support rangeland and
<br />wildlife habitat post mining land use. The approved reclamation plan requires removal of surface structures
<br />and debris; reduction and stabilization of highwalls; closure of mine openings; crest of waste rock stockpiles
<br />to be rounded to slopes of 4H:1 V to 2H:1 V and bermed for drainage control; recontouring Crf roads, cut banks
<br />and dump surfaces to approximate original contour; and revegetation of affected areas.
<br />Burros Portal Portal opening had been backfilled. Portal cut highwall was near vertical, visually estimated
<br />at 20' tall. Stormwater containment berms were intact for the waste rock stockpile. Remaining reclamation
<br />includes highwall reduction/stabilization; grading of the waste rock stockpile; removal of the loadout structure
<br />and water line; access road; and revegetation.
<br />Burros 5 Shaft NOT INSPECTED. DMG last inspected the site on 3/12/98, and recorded that the shaft had
<br />been backfilled. Remaining reclamation includes removal of 3 Butler type buildings, 1 c~~ncrete foundation
<br />w/vault, and 2 abandoned trucks; grading of the waste rock stockpile; access road; and revegetation.
<br />Burros 7 Shaft NOT INSPECTED. DMG last inspected the site on 3/12/98, and recorded that the shaft had
<br />been backfilled and waste rock stockpile had been graded for final reclamation. Remaining reclamation
<br />includes removal of the hoist building and headframe; minor grading; and revegetation. On 7/10/98, DMG
<br />received copy of BLM 7/7/98 letter addressed to Umetco, requesting that the hoist house and headframe
<br />remain as permanent, historically significant structures. However, the operator did not submit such request
<br />to DMG through the appropriate Technical Revision process, therefore, the DMG permit his not been revised
<br />accordingly. If the operator desires to revise the reclamation plan, to allow the hoist house and headframe
<br />of the Burros 7 Shaft to remain as permanent structures, please submit such request through the Technical
<br />Revision (TRl process.
<br />Revegetation On 7/2/98, DMG received a FAXed memo from the operator, indicating that the DOE desired
<br />a reclamation seed mix, different from what was approved in the reclamation plan. The reclamation seed mix
<br />approved within the reclamation plan included Crested wheatgrass, Western wheatgra:~s, Sand dropseed,
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