Laserfiche WebLink
2.2 FACILITY DESCRIPTION <br />• <br />The Climax Mine is an open pit and former underground mining operation that extracts <br />molybdenite ore from the base of Bartlett Mountain and produces concentrates at the adjacent <br />mill site. The fmal product is molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) concentrate that is transported out <br />of the state for final processing. <br />The Climax Mine and Mill and ancillary facilities are located neaz the summit of Fremont Pass <br />(elevation 11,318 feet msl) where Colorado State Highway 91 crosses the Continental Divide. <br />The mine is located 18 miles south of Frisco, Colorado, and 13 miles north of Leadville, <br />Colorado. The site is located on both sides of the Continental Divide and encompasses portions <br />of three major drainages: Ten Mile Creek (the most affected), Arkansas River, and East Fork of <br />the Eagle River. All acreages affected by mine and mill operations lie completely within an <br />approximate 14,000-acre land block owned by the Climax Molybdenum Company as shown in <br />Figure 1. <br />Climax Mine reached a production high of approximately 50,000 tons of ore per day in the <br />1970's; however, world mazkets for molybdenum radically declined in the mid-1980's and <br />Climax curtailed production substantially until 1995. Although Climax resumed operations in <br />1995 due to increased demands for molybdenum, the mine is currently (May 2004) back on <br />standby status. <br />• 2.3 SITE SECURITY <br />General Site Security <br />Public entry to properties at Climax Mine can be gained by means of a number of locked gates. <br />Many of the gates are secured by use of a conventional lock and key, while others are secured <br />with an electronic key pad that permits entry only by inputting a 5 or 6-digit security code. The <br />Climax industrial area is posted with numerous "Industrial Area -Authorized Personnel Only" or <br />"No Trespassing" signs. Fencing, bemung, and barricading aze used by Climax to discourage <br />public entry where appropriate. <br />The main gate on Highway 91 at Fremont Pass is controlled electronically from the mine office <br />at No. 3 Mill and the Guard House. Visitors are required to check in upon entry onto the <br />property. It is possible for a legitimate visitor or an unauthorized person to gain entry without <br />checking in; however, security patrols aze conducted by members of the Climax workforce <br />(specifically the water operations staff) at various times during the day and night time hours. In <br />addition, the Lake and Summit County sheriffs patrol the public access areas on an as-needed and <br />random basis. The mine facility is well-lit during night time hours to discourage unauthorized <br />entry. <br />All essentiaUsensitive buildings aze locked during non-business hours. Many buildings are <br />• locked even during business hours, due to the stand-by status of the mine. <br />4 <br />