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Associated Press <br />COLORADO SPRINGS- Expansion of the Cripple <br />Creek 8 Victor Gold Mining Co 's gold mine near Victor <br />has won state approval on condition the company post a <br />$26 million bond to ensure reclamation work takes place. <br />The state Mined Land Reclamation Board gave its <br />unanimous approval to the controversial expansion on <br />Monday as about 150 miners attending the hearing broke <br />into applause. <br />The company will expand the size and depth of the <br />Cresson Mine, already the largest surface pit mine in the <br />state, dig two additional pits and enlarge its existing <br />cyanide heap leach pad. <br />The leach pad is already 32 stories high. With Monday's <br />approval, the mountain of ore will grow to 50 stories. <br />Critics of the expansion, a group called Citizens for <br />Victor, were able to convince the reclamation board to <br />impose some conditions <br />The company with Colorado's Division of Minerals <br />and Geology will devise a plan to keep waste rock from <br />contaminating water that runs off the mine site. <br />The Company will monitor water quality for fou <br />years after the operation closes down-instead of the two <br />years prop~ed-e5rlie'r. <br />Wlthln the next 60 days, the company must do an <br />analysis of its blasting at the mine to determine whether <br />anything needs to be done to prevent damage to historic <br />buildings in nearby Victor. ~ <br />Opponents fe he-o>Sir-pit mining operation threatens <br />nery and turn•of-the century mining structures that <br />make up Victors history, provide the town's character and <br />attract tourists <br />Opponents also worry that the rock excavated to get to <br />gold-rich ore could pose along-term pollution threat since <br />certain rock, when exposed to air and water, leaches <br />acids and heavy metals. <br />However, both mining and state officials say extensive <br />and the geologic make-up of the rock itself will prevent <br />ands from leaching out of the waste piles. <br />The mine operators agreed to do reclamation work on the <br />affected 1,373 acres to make it suitable for wildlife and <br />domestic animal grazing. The state required that a $26 <br />million bond be posted to assure that reclamation lakes <br />place. <br />January 27, 1999 <br />