1996-08-29_REVISION - M1977342

• Permit No: M1977342
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 8/29/1996
• Doc Name: Submittal of the technical revision Urad water treatment plant alernative reclamation plan
• From: CLIMAX MOLYBDENUM CO
• To: DMG
• Type & Sequence: TR6
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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HENDERSON MINE piviofon or iv~~ncrai:. G tieuw9Y
Technical Revision: Mining and Reclamation Permit M-77-342,
1.0 Introduction
The Climax Molybdenum Company (CMC), Henderso^ Mine and Mill (Henderson) began
mining molybdenite ore and production of molybdenum disulfide concentrates in mid-1976. The
Mining and Reclamation Permit (Permit) required under the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation
Act of 1976 (Act) was approved by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (Board) in late
1977 (Permit M-77-342). Subsequently, the Permit was formally amended in 1981. In addition,
three Technical Revisions (TR) to the Permit have been approved by the Colorado Division of
Minerals and Geology (DMG) over the 20 year operating history of Henderson. Two other TRs
(TR-04, TR-OS) presently are being reviewed by DMG. These latter TRs are the Environmental
Protection Plan (EPP) and the groundwater plan, respectively. The TR proposed herein will be
TR-06 and will address a conceptual closure plan for the Henderso^ Mine (Mine) and
concomitant financial warranty for treatment of mine waters during the closure process.
Historically, there has been little change in Henderson's operations since production was
initiated. The mine and mill facilities have been active over the last 20 years with no periods of
temporary cessation. Presently, the underground mine is producing at a rate of approximately
24,000 tons per day, 246 days per year; rates and days that are dependent upon market
conditions and may vary on short notice. Molybdenite ore is hauled by rail through the tunnel
to the west side of the Continental Divide and hence, to the mill in the upper W illiams Fork River
Valley for crushing and concentration. Henderson employs a total of 487 people at the mine and
mill; a significant reduction from the 1480 employed in 1977.
On March 13, 1996, Henderson submitted to the Board an amendment to its Permit proposing to
increase the affected area by the addition of acreage at the Urad Mine site which would be used
for the construction of a new mine water treatment system. This new system would consolidate
waters from both the Henderson and Urad mines into a single stream for treatment and discharge
as per requirements of the existing CPDS Permit.
Following a review of the amendment by DMG staff and discussions with Henderson personnel,
the DMG determined that the proposed water treatment system at the Urad site did not need to
be incorporated into the Permit. A letter to this effect dated May 31, 1996 and signed by Mr. H.
Bruce Humphries (Minerals Program Supervisor) was sent to Henderson (Exhibit A). In making