ENFORCE22779

• Permit No: M1988112
• IBM Index Class Name: Enforcement
• Doc Date: 10/19/1993
• Doc Name: BATTLE MTN RESOURCES INC BMRI SAN LUIS DMG PN M-88-112 RECLAIM TANK OVERFLOW LINE
• From: BATTLE MTN RESOURCES INC
• To: DMG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

•~ III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII •
BATTLE MOUNTAIN RESOURCES, INC.
~ ~ ~(~ 1 9 ~gg~
October 12, 1993
Mr. Larry Oehler
Division of Minerals and Geology
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 ILE MOUNTAIN
D COMPANY
Denver, Colorado 80203
Re: Battle Mountain Resources, Inc. (BMRI) - San Luis
DMG Permit No. M-88-112
Reclaim Tank Overflow Line
Dear Mr. Oehler:
During the Division's inspection on October 1, the r claim
tank overflow line was being elevated and moved to a low for
the placement of synthetic liner beneath the line as part of
the tailings disposal area construction project. As work
was in progress, the reclaim tank overflowed. A mix of
fresh water and reclaim water (detoxified water) flo ed down
~7 the 1 fined pipe ditch within the tailings disposal ar a. The
- synthetic liner was in place below the pipe at the t'me of
~ the overflow; however, the liner had not yet been we ded.
As the Division witnessed, response to the overflow
situation was immediate. A backhoe was being used t
elevate the overflow line. The backhoe was immediat ly
employed to construct a water diversion and temporary
collection sump. Water was diverted into the tempor ry sump
on the east side of the pipe ditch. The overflow water
ponded in the sump was pumped to the upper tailings nd.
The overflow water in the temporary sump was complet ly
pumped out within 30 minutes of the overflow event.
The reclaim tank overflow line is a
With the pipe being elevated, water
pipe and back towards the mill area
believe when the pipe was elevated,
pipe pulled apart and reclaim water
area. The overflow water ponded in
to the leach circuit sump. A maxim
gallons overflowed from the reclaim
double-walled pi
flowed out the i er
in the outer pipe. We
a coupling on the outer
also ponded in th mill
the mill area was pumped
IITI volume of 10,00
tank.
As you know the reclaim water system is equipped with a
primary, secondary, and tertiary containment design a set
forth in the approved permit. At no time did the ove flow
water exit the graded containment area for the mill w ich
serves as tertiary containment for the entire mill ar a.
Tertiary containment consists of grading such that th mill
area drains to the tailings facility.
A SUHSIDIARY OF HATTI.L SlOUA7r1 /N GOLD COMPANY
P.O. BOX 310 SAN LUIS. COLORADO 81153-11310 1719167b336? FAX 1719) 67?-?363