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• <br />The silver standard of 0.0001 ppm was too low for the accredited laboratory to <br />provide consistent results below 0.0002 ppm. In 1992, the Colorado Department <br />of Health raised the silver standard to 0.0008 ppm. Present levels of silver remain <br />at <0.0002 ppm, well within the new criteria. <br />Increased zinc concentrations have historically occurred during summer months, <br />although not on an annual basis. Please refer to the attached chart showing zinc <br />concentration levels over time. In the spring of 1992, the Colorado Department of <br />Health reduced the permitted zinc level to 0.13 ppm for a monthly average. During <br />the summer months of 1992, monthly averages exceeded the criteria for four <br />consecutive months (0.26, 0.20, 0.135, and 0.14 ppm zinc). A citation was issued <br />by the Health Department in regards to the four excursions. The discharge has <br />been in compliance following the 0.14 ppm excursion. Discussions with the <br />agency are ongoing to arrive at a compliance schedule for mitigation procedures <br />for any future exceedances. The company is pursuing several alternatives to <br />achieve compliance. <br />Included in the Carlton Tunnel data are records recently obtained from the United <br />States Geological Survey in Pueblo, Colorado. This data will further substantiate <br />the Carlton Tunnel discharge data submitted on a monthly basis to the EPA and <br />Colorado Department of Health. The USGS data also covers Wilson Creek which <br />flows into Four-mile Creek downstream of the Carlton Tunnel Discharge. Wilson <br />Creek data reflects the City of Victor wastewater effluent. The Cripple Creek data <br />was taken below the discharge of that city's wastewater treatment plant. <br />2. The Areaua Gulch Surface Water monitoring site is located downstream of the <br />Carlton Mill tailings ponds (1951-1961) and one-quarter mile upstream from the <br />Arequa Gulch confluence with Cripple Creek. The five-year tabulation provides <br />good baseline data for surface water below the proposed leach pad and waste <br />rock storage area. <br />Although the data shows an increase in total cyanide in 1990, the trend is <br />downward while free and WAD cyanide levels remained low. <br />3. The Leachate Test Results represent tests made on spent pads which were subject <br />to detoxification only by rain water and snow-melt draining through the pads to the <br />pregnant ponds. Leach Pad No. 3 has experienced some spraying with pond <br />water with no chemicals added to begin formal detoxification of that pad. The <br />sample locations and test procedures are indicated in the attached data. The tests <br />were conducted for the Globe Hill Leach Pad (M-77-367), Pad No. 3 (M-86-024), <br />'76 Pad (M-77-367) and Pad A/Victor Mill Vat Leach Tails (M-81-134). <br />The leachate tests were conducted under the TCLP criteria as shown. Future tests <br />will be carried out under the TCLP test criteria 1312 solution 3 for cyanide wastes. <br /> <br /> <br />