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• (Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1994-113 <br />INSPECTION DATE 8-16-2001 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS SSS <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a partial inspection conducted to observe how well the site was handling the recent very heavy rainfall events and <br />determine if the stormwater detention ponds, installed last fall were functioning correctly. On the way to this inspection it was <br />noted that numerous landslides had occurred in the vicinity of Telluride and Placerville. Crews were busy clearing plugged <br />culverts and cleaning debris off of roads and out of drainages around Telluride from the recent deluge. <br />The sediment control system at Pathfinder appeared to be installed and functioning as designed. An extra detention basin <br />was included above the pit floor in the northeast corner of the processing/stockpile area to catch runoff from a portion of the <br />excavation face. The eastern portion of the processing/stockpile area slopes toward the east to direct drainage away from <br />the pit outslope and keep it from flowing to the wetland/fill area. The large detention pond has been excavated on the inside <br />of the access road just as it enters the processing/stockpile area. There was approximately 1.5 feet of water in the pond and <br />evidence that the water level had been approximately 2.5 feet deeper in the recent past. The design of the pond, to intercept <br />runoff and allow it to percolate into the gravel bed, appears to be functioning adequately. <br />Runoff that does find it's way to the wetland area has carried some debris into the area behind the fill. The flow collapsed part <br />of the silt fence installed at this location. Portions of silt fences located on the outslope of the processinglstockpile area have <br />also been knocked down by the weight of material. The operator was instructed to reestablish these silt fences so they are <br />one again functional. <br />Piezometers had been installed in the fill to determine the phreatic surface within the fill and wetland area, One is located in <br />the outslope face of the fill, one is located in the road surface on the uphill side of the access road, and one is located in the <br />wetland. According to the operator, the wetland piezometer had eight feet of water just after installation. By the next morning <br />it was dry. This apparently indicates that the wetand is located in a perched water source that was most likely created by the <br />deposition of fines behind the fill after the fill was constructed. The operator indicated that a vertical drain may be installed to <br />lower the saturation level in the fill to make it more stable. Pathfinder is reminded that a revision to the permit may be required <br />before installation of a drain structure if it is within the permit area and/or is for the purpose of directing flows from the mine <br />site. <br />The mine site appeared to be stable despite the recent heavy precipitation events. No significant erosional features were noted <br />on the affected areas of the site. <br />The reclamation cost estimate was not recalculated as part of this inspection. The current estimate was recalculated less than <br />three years ago and the operation is in compliance with the approved mine plan and reclamation plan. Therefore, the current <br />financial warranty is believed to be adequate to reclaim the site per the approved reclamation plan. <br />Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Steve Shuey at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Grand Junction <br />Field Office, 101 South 3'" Street, Rcom 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, phone no. 970-243-6368. <br />18 E Contact Address <br />NAME Scott Smith <br />OPERATOR Pathfinder Development. Inc. <br />STREET P. O. Box 797 <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP Telluride. CO 81435 <br />cc: Tom Gillis, DMG <br />CE <br />BL <br />FS <br />HW <br />HMWMD (CH) <br />SE <br />WQCD (CH) <br />OTHER <br />