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• ~ D R~F-~- <br />Minutes, Rpri 1 2~-23, 1992 Subject To Board A' ~ ~2 <br />pp oval <br />submitted previously. Mr. Lewis said he would replace the missing <br />information with copies from the operator's files. <br />Staff said the permitted levels of cyanide for the tailings and <br />collection ponds range from 3.8 to 4.4. Staff discussed the operator's <br />responses to the Division's initial adequacy review of the amendment, <br />contained in Exhibit A, regarding anticipated cyanide levels. Staff <br />discussed other evidence included in Exhibit A which referenced <br />anticipated cyanide levels of 3.8 to 4.4. This included a portion of <br />the transcript from the January 25, 1990 amendment hearing in which <br />Anne Baldrige, a consultant for the operator at the time, was quoted as <br />saying, "...and based on our tests results, the levels of cyanide in <br />the tailings will be less than 3.8 parts per million free cyanide". <br />Staff also referenced pages 51 and 52 of the transcript in which Ms. <br />Baldrige further stated that the levels of cyanide and metals in the <br />water associated with this operation are not considered toxic to <br />wildlife or birds, because it would be less than 3.8 parts per million. <br />Staff informed the Board that the Division conducted its review of the <br />permit and amendment applications and made recommendations to the <br />Board, based on the cyanide levels represented by the operator. <br />Staff said that during the March 30, 1992 meeting, Mr. Lewis reported <br />that the tailings treatment system was not functioning as expected; not <br />enough air was getting to the slurry for volatilization of the <br />cyanide. At that time, Mr. Lewis also discussed problems with ice and <br />higher than expected levels of copper in the ore. Therefore, cyanide <br />was combining with the ore and going into the tailings pond areas. <br />Staff said that during the meeting the operator proposed that they act <br />expeditiously to respond to cyanide levels by using zinc ferrous <br />sulfate for detoxification. <br />Staff said that during the March 30, 1992 meeting, the Division <br />informed the operator that a technical revision would have to be <br />submitted immediately, in order to address the quick reduction of <br />cyanide levels. <br />Staff said that also on March 30, 1992, the Division received <br />complaints from Maclavio Martinez, of the Costilla County Conservancy <br />District, regarding rumors of duck kills around the tailings pond and <br />dangers to the residents of the area. Mr. Martinez requested that the <br />Division meet with the citizens of the area to explain the cyanide <br />problems at the mine, as well as the Division's actions in the matter. <br />Mr. Joe Gallegos, a citizen of the area telephoned the Division and <br />stated that the operator's employees had knowledge of the high cyanide <br />levels at the mine. <br />On March 31, 1992 the Division issued a notice of possible violation to <br />the operator for failure to comply with the conditions of the permit. <br />On April 1, 1992 the Division inspected the tailings disposal <br />facilities at the mine. Staff said that prior to the inspection, Gary <br />Dodson, the mine manager, informed the Division that employees had <br />