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October 2, 2001 MINREC, Inc. 2768 Compass Dr., Ste. 101 Grand Junction, CO 81506 North Thompson Creek Mine Phase II Bond Release Inspection September I1, 2001 Participants: Janet Buck, Carbondale, CO, City Planning Dept. Kent Wellner, USFS, Sopris Ranger District Jim Stover, MINREC Dan Hernandez, Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) Byron Walker, DMG Henry Austin, Office of Surface Mining (OSM) I participated in a Phase II bond release inspection at the above mine, with the participants noted. Weather conditions were sunny and mild; and ground conditions were Dry throughout the mine site with little evidence of surface runoff. There was evidence of debris, sediment flows in side drainages north of the county road that accesses the mine, indicating intense surface water runoff from summer storms, and minor rill erosion was noticed on a few small azeas of the reclamation. Overall, [he reclaimed areas inspected were stable, and well vegetated to ensure future erosional stability on reclaimed slopes. Mr. Walker led the inspection and began by providing both a handout and a thorough explanation of the DMG phase II bond release procedures including: the bond release application, required written notices of intent to seek bond release, permittee advertisement, reclamation areas proposed for release, and postmining land uses including approved water impoundments and water treatment facilities. Colorado Department of Public Health has approved the retained water treatment facility, and there have been no documented surface water runoff discharges from the sedimentation ponds and reclaimed areas. Available topsoil was replaced at six inches, and approved growth media was applied, both as approved in the reclamation plan. OSM participated in the Phase I bond release inspection here dated December 17, 1987; and also participated in a complete, oversight inspection here dated September 16, 1999. We walked and inspected all the disturbed azeas including: Mine 3 and the Mine 3 road to the fan portal, former facilities azea including the retained roadway which was stable, the reclaimed refuse pile and associated sediment pond (We discussed retention of this pond, it is approved for retention. It is in a suitable location, utilized by the landowner, and acceptable for retention.), Mine 1 portal area is stable and we discussed that the bridge here is approved for retention to access water treatment facilities.