1992-06-24_REVISION - M1988112 (2)

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• Minutes, June 24-25, 1992 a ~ D~4FT Subject To Board Approval Division with a reptlrt evaluating the necessity of installing additional monitoring wells within 30 days after verbal approval. Any additional monitoring wells will be installed and completed within 30 days of the Division's approval of the operator's report. The Division further recommended that operation of the ore processing plant be ceased, if the operator fails to meet any of the deadlines imposed. In response to a question from the Board, Staff said the operator's bond is adequate. In response to a question from Frank Johnson, Staff clarified that the Division's recommendations are for interim standards to be effective through October 15, 1992. The operator will cease the use of Hydrogen Peroxide by October 1, 1992. Ms. Jacquez said she felt the recommended interim standards should be considered a permit amendment. She and Mr. Flynn stated objections to the Division's recommendations. The Board stated that the Division's recommendations, if accepted, would be considered corrective actions. The Board discussed the matter of the number to be used for cyanide analysis of water samples and whether this would be WAD, total or free. Mr. Duchane said total cyanide exceeds WAD cyanide levels by about 10 ppm. Staff said a benefit of testing for WAD levels is that several different techniques can be used on-site for measu-ing. The Director commented that the Division feels that the water should continue to be circulated with activity occurring in the pond, in order for detoxification to occur and to prevent stagnation of the pond and tailings. It was clarified that the Board should determine whether the operator will be allowed to continue to operate using cyanide during an interim detoxification process. The consensus of the Board was that the approach being -ecommended by the Division toward resolution of this matter is adequate. However, the Board requested that the Division, during it report at the July 1992 Board Meeting, provide recommendations for further reductions in cyanide levels, based on the information obtained during the interim. Staff said that after the 50 ppm level is reached, the operator should be required to continue an aggressive use of Hydrogen Peroxide to achieve the lowest level of cyanide in the shortest possible time. Staff clarified that at this time the Division still corsiders 4.4 and 3.8 as the goals for total and WAD cyanide levels. Board Member Danielson recommended that a fourth condition be added to the those recommended by the Division which states that the company should continue to employ all reasonably practicable measures to reduce the cyanide concentrations as low as practicable and that the Division should report back to the Board anytime it is believed that the company is not using all reasonably practicable measures to comply with this condition.