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.~~ o .~"' <br />© CLIMA]~ MOLYBDENUM COMPANY <br />H ONI51011 OI LypN9 CITBF MBLCS C0. <br />February 11, 2004 <br />Mr. Allen Sorenson' <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />~ Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Colorado Operations <br />Henderson Mine <br />P.O. Box 68 <br />Empire. Colaratlo 80436 <br />Metro (303] 271-0107 <br />Out of State [3031 569-3221 <br />Fax [303) 569-2630 <br />Ft~CEIVED <br />FEB 1 2 2004 ~ <br />~islon of Minerals Yn~ Geology <br />RE: TR-14 Submittal Mi1J Water Return Pipeline Project, Spring 2004, Henderson Mill, <br />Permit No. M-77-342 „/ <br />Dear Mr. Sorenson: <br />This letter and other submittals are being provided to the Division of Minerals and <br />Geology (Division) for approval to construct a new mill water return pipeline from the <br />tailing pond to East Branch Reservoir. A larger project, deemed the Henderson Barge <br />Project, was discussed with the Division several years ago. Due to budgetary constraints, <br />this larger project has been broken down into smaller pieces. The Mill Water Return <br />Pipeline Project is the tlrst step in constructing a replacement for our current process <br />water return system. Engineering for the pipeline was completed several years ago but <br />these plans were recently modified to accommodate the phased construction approach. <br />"fhis project will provide infrastructure to ensure improved pipe integrity. We plan to <br />complete the bulk of this project in-house. Contractors will be utilized to cross the county <br />road and to fuse and x-ray the pipe. <br />Henderson is requesting approval to construct a replacement mill water return pipeline <br />from the backside of the tailing pond, traveling northeast and terminating near the <br />southwest corner of East Branch Reservoir. Eventually, Henderson will add a pumping <br />barge, barge channel, powerline, and all other necessary infrastructure to complete the <br />replacement mill water return system. Until the remaining infrastructure is in place, this <br />mill water return line will act as an emergency back-up system with adiesel-powered <br />pump. As the Division is already aware, relocating the mill water return pipeline will <br />greatly improve Henderson's operational safety. Our current decant return system is aging <br />and involves operation of a pressurized line flowing underneath the tailing impoundment. <br />The current system also includes an aging pipeline that travels outside of secondary <br />containment along County Road 3 to East Branch Reservoir. The new pipeline will <br />remain directly upgradient of the tailing impoundment throughout its entire length. <br />Although a portion of the pipeline will also be upgradient of the interceptor canal, <br />Henderson has the ability to divert all of this water into the tailing pond maintaining <br />containment if necessary. The protections this new pipeline location provides and the <br />improvements over the existing system are obvious. Henderson has already obtained the <br />necessary nationwide permit from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for the wetland <br />disturbances that this proposed pipeline will involve. <br />