ENFORCE35297

• Permit No: M1983141
• IBM Index Class Name: Enforcement
• Doc Date: 5/26/1992
• Doc Name: UPDATED SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Updated Synopsis of Events
as of 6/23/92
(continued)
Property: Cash Mine and Mill Permit No.: M-83-141
Operator: Gold Hill Ventures and Colina Oro Molino, Inc.
5/22/92 Two of the three standpipes and associated decant lines were buried in
the tailings pond. Mr. Tatman said he had a technical revis ion ready
for Mr. Steen's signature to eliminate the Hazel A and Cash Mines from
the water pumping system. Would route wat er directly to the mill.
Mr. Steen did not agree that the system in the permit could not work.
He instructed myself and Mr. Tatman on how it works.
5/2,7/92 Mr. Tatman is thinking about committing to use the permitted water
management system. He said Mr. Steen will help him find the two buried
decant lines and standpipes to get them up and running.
5/27/92 Mr. Steen said he had a long conversation with Mr. Tatman. He agreed to
help Mr. Tatman locate the buried decant lines and standpipes
5/28/92 Formal Public Hearing before the Board. The Board issued three Notices
of Violation: (1) failure to contain tailings in tailings impoundment,
(21 failure to conform the use of the permitted water management system
or submit a technical revision that changes it, ar,d (3) failure to
repair rips and holes in the tailings impoundment liner. A Cease and
Desist Order was issued on (1) and (2) until corrective actions are
completed. Civil penalties were assessed on all three violations.
A letter was submitted to the Board and the Division, signed by
Gwen Fraser, COM, Inc., Charles Steen, and Gold Hill Ventures, that the
permitted water management system will be used and installed at the
site. The decant lines system will be installed and operating
correctly. The water sampling and monitoring program outlined in the
permit will be reinstated. Measuring devices will be installed in the
pond and adits to regularly record water levels. Mr. Steen submitted a
letter to the Board and the Division in response to Mr. Freirich's
letter of complaint dated March 20, 1992.
6/10/92 Gwen Fraser, COM Inc., sent a letter to the Division which indicated
they will comply with the Cease and Desist Order.
6/11/92 Mark Steen, Gold Hill Ventures, sent a letter to the Division indicating
that they will comply with the Cease and Desist Order.
6!23/92 Division inspection of the site. All possible problems and possible
violations as stated in the May 22, 1992 inspection report have been
addressed by the co-permittees. Responses to corrective actions as
stated in NOV nos. M-92-029 and M-92-030 have been received. All
on-the-ground problems have been mitigated to the satisfaction of the
Division. A final technical revision which excludes an undisturbed
portion of the previously permitted tailings pond site and includes
acreages over which water or tailings will be conveyed will be submitted
when construction of the pumping station begins.
The site will be inspected prior to mill start-up when the entire water
pumping and utilization plan is in place and properly functional. A
bond re-evaluation will also be completed. The co-permittees will be
required to submit additional bond before start-up can be approved.
WCYlyjb/ern 3700E