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• (Page 21 • <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-78-091 UG <br />INSPECTION DATE 06/09/97 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of high priority 110 metal mines, and also to discuss the <br />ongoing preparation of the required Environmental Protection Plan IEPPI with the operator. The permittee's designated <br />representatives, from Au Mining as shown on page one, were contacted about the inspection and were present for it. <br />There are several topics shown on page one as being considered problems, and these will be discussed below, in context with the <br />discussion of [he EPP preparation and implementation. <br />This is a mine which is to supply gold ore to the Ute Mill (Permit No. M-78-0921 where processing and tailings disposal are to be. <br />There are two portals, associated dumps and pads, and short sections of access roads to the sites. There will be no onsite <br />processing and temporary stockpiling of ore. The operator has stated, and is preparing the EPP to reflect the fact, that only the <br />lower 6 level portal will be used. Both pads contain historic and recent material dumped there as underground development <br />occurred; there is a significant amount of potential acid-producing material visible in the dump. The lower portal discharges mine <br />drainage, which must be sampled to characterize its baseline condition. There are no significant structures presently or proposed <br />at the sites, except for proposed earthen drainage controls. <br />The main issues at these sites pertain to minimizing the adverse impacts to surface and groundwater. Recommended procedures <br />to accomplish this prior to and during operation include: containment structures for fuel and other fluids, if stored onsite: surface <br />grading to control roadway runoff, pad runoff and mine discharge; and defining ore stockpiling areas and muck placement. To <br />address dump stability at the 6 level, the operator discussed dump face terracing, for runoff control and stability. Presumably the <br />EPP will include details about these items. <br />Placement of new dump material in a manner which directs all surface drainage back toward the toe of the cut slope, plus <br />construction of a sump along that toe to collect and percolate stormwater and portal drainage, was discussed as a reasonable <br />measure to improve water quality. Slope terraces 12 or 3) will be on the contour and sloped in toward the slope, to catch rolling <br />material, and cause water to infiltrate onsite rather than allowing runoff to flow offsite as surface water. The dump is not planned <br />to increase in area in the near future, though enlargement may occur within the permit boundary on the NW side if necessary. The <br />existing access road through the Vickers Ranch will continue to be used, though the operator stated that an alternative route on <br />BLM land (already added to the permit area but still unused) may be arranged with BLM. There is no powder or cap magazine on <br />the site; there will be no fuel stored onsite. <br />At present, there must be several tasks performed at this permitted site to correct existing problems. The drainage on the roads <br />and pads, from the portal, on the dump faces, into the gulch and springs is not controlled, causing preventable impacts to <br />downstream soils and water. After the site work is done satisfactorily, and initial sampling of water and ore is complete, the <br />problems contained in this report will be corrected, and the related EPP activities will be underway. <br />A plan of baseline water quality sampling and ongoing monitoring has been submitted as part of the EPP. This matter is not a <br />problem to be addressed in this report, though the sampling plan will become part of the other onsite activities begun during the <br />1 997 construction season. All sampling sites should be permanently marked. <br />The operator is reminded that all the sites must be identified by a permit ID sign and boundaries marked. All items to Ix kept onsite <br />must be mining-related, and estimated amounts of cleanup costs lin addition to other reclamation tasks) must be adequately bonded <br />for. Obviously, performing regular housekeeping and concurrent reclamation of those areas not to be redisturbed will influence the <br />bond amount. <br />In summary, to prepare for initiating operations at this site, the operator should ensure that all the site "facilities" as described above <br />are functioning adequately, and that all materials and fluids containment is assured. The operator has submitted EPP materials which <br />adequately identify these separate items to be installed, constructed, implemented and maintained. The resolution of the problems <br />identified in this report will be through the timely implementation of the practices described in this report and the submitted EPP <br />document Isee also the last page of this report). The "correction date" of the problems is shown on the last page of this report. <br />The operator is reminded that i} certain details of the overall site work must differ from their descriptions in the EPP, the changes <br />must be communicated to this office, possibly for review prior to commencing work. <br />