1993-11-10_REVISION - M1988112 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(Page 2 c) MINE ID: M-77-001 INSPECTION DATE: 10/15/93 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: LDO Larry Oehler noted that five rolls of VLDPE liner material had been placed ~on a crushed rock surface and that two of the rolls had holes in them from being handled by heavy equipment on the angular rocks. Specifications state that the liner rolls will be placed on prepared surfaces when being handled. This was brought to the attention of Mr. Guyer and Serrot's site supervisor. The contractor placed the rolls on discarded liner material. Mr. Guyer stated that the material is inspected ae it is pulled into place and ends with holes are cut off and discarded. A spill of process water occurred while the liner system was being inspected. Process water began to pour from a disconnected pipe between the storage tank and a tailings free water pool. The pipe had been disconnected and elevated in preparation for plac:~ng the synthetic liner under the pipe. Most of the water (treated and recycled process water) ran down a panel of VI,DPE liner material and onto the old exposed liner. Some lose of water occurred at this location since the two liners had not yet been welded together. However, Larry Oehler observed that this was a small amount. Site workers quickly set a pump to pump ponded water off the old liner into the operational tailings disposal area and also trenched through a berm to also allow this water to enter the containment area. Jim Dillie observed that water had escaped the pipe system into an open trench outside of the :.fined containment system. The water was split sampled by BMRI and the Division. The sample was preserved at high pH iced in Alamosa and sent to Acculab October 4, 1991 for analysis. Field parameters were pH 7 ± .5 and temperature 1B° C. Workers told Larry Oehler that they had been pumping fresh water into the tank moat of the morning. Treated tailings pond water usually runs about 0.5 to 1.0 ppm wad cyanide and if heavily diluted the cyanide levels were estimated to be quite low and possibly within EPA drinking water standards. Jim Dillie «~bserved that the leak occurred at a joint between two sections of the outer pipe of a double pipe system. The water had entered the space between the two pipes by back flow from where the line was disconnected and elevated. It was estimated by the inspectors that 3,000 u:o 10,000 gallons of water were spilled outside of the lined containment system. This is a~poseible violation of Section 34-32-124 and the permit for failure to take appropriate precautions to prevent spills. Alana Scott, Environmental Coordinator for BMRI, stated that she had requested that the tailings free water pool recirculation pampa be turned off by plant personnel during the time the pipe was disconnected but that plant personnel did not comply with her request and that that action would have prevented the spill. She also stated that the spill was the result of over flow from the process water recirculation tank. While observing the compaction and final surface preparation of a portion .if the Boil liner some large (over specification) rocks were noted in liner material to be compacted. It was later determined that these may have rolled down onto the site from grading work done at the top of the facility at the road/anchor trench area. It was agreed with Ms. Scott however, that at a subsequent inspection a section of compacted soil liner would be dug up and inspected for compliance with specified rock size. It was agreed that an area approximately 1-2 feet wide by 25 feet long would be selected by the inspector for this purpose. An SRK engineering technician (John) told Allen Sorenson and Bill York-Feirn that similar occurrences had taken place while he was on site. BMRI should provide ttie details of any previous spills not reported to the Division. A poet inspection meeting was held with Mr. Kluksdahl, Ms. Scott and Mr. Guyer. All items of concern were discussed. I fi E Contact Address NAME Ken Kluksdahl OPERATOR Battle Mountain Resources. Inc. STREET P.O. Box 310 CITY/STATE/2IP San Luie, CO 81152-0310 cc: Jim :;tevens, DMG M:\ose\ern\mpir.ldo