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<br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Depanmenl of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman $1., Room ? I S <br />Denvcr, Colorarln 80203 <br />Phone: 13071 Bhh-3567 <br />FAx: 13031 R32-R106 <br />December 26, 1996 <br />Mr. Charlie J. Jaquez, Jr. <br />Costilla Counry Committee <br />For Environmental Soundness <br />P.O. Box 9 <br />San Luis, CO 81152 <br />RE: Investigation of Leach Tanks, San Luis Project, Permit No. M-88-1112 <br />Dear Mr. Jaquez: <br />II~~~ <br />DEPARTMENT OF <br />NATURAL <br />RESOURCES <br />Roy Romer <br />Governor <br />lames S. Lochhead <br />ERMUIIVe ~IreCln! <br />M¢hael B. Long <br />Dwision Director <br />On behalf of Mrs. Barbara Green, Mined Land Reclamation Board Member, I l~ responding <br />to your request to investigate the leaking leach tanks and to provide you kith the latest <br />information regarding the status of the Division's investigation. In addition, tl~ below noted <br />information will show that the Division is aware of, and has responded to, this ,test situation. <br />On November 19, 1996, during a routine inspection of the site by James Dillie and Michael B. <br />Long, the inspectors observed leach tank cleaning operations. Since the tanks still had ground <br />up ore material on bottom, holes could not be detected. <br />On November 25, 1996, James Dillie received a call (followed by a letter) from L'an Robertson, <br />BMRI mine manager, regarding the discovery of small holes and/or separated welds in the <br />bottom of leach tanks #5 and #7. James Dillie inspected the tanks on Decembed 13, 1996 and <br />confirmed the existence of the holes. <br />The Division decided that an out of containment discharge of cyanide may have occurred <br />(specifically because of the holes and the type of material that was processed in tjre tanks) even <br />though there is currently no evidence that cyanide contaminated material ever ldaked from the <br />tanks. A possible violation was issued, and a Reason to Believe letter mailed on December 26, <br />1996. The operator has been ordered to appear at the February 26-27, 1997 oard meeting <br />(earliest possible Board meeting pursuant to the Act) to present evidence and e>}plain why the <br />Board should not find a violation. <br />In addition, the operator has been instructed to either drill several auger holes orlexcava[e a pit <br />on the south side of the leach tank complex to gather soil samples (for analy$is of cyanide <br />concentration) so a determination can be made as to the extent of any possible cyanide <br />contamination. <br />