GENERAL33131

• Permit No: M1984014
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 5/10/2005
• Doc Name: Request for Sampling and Additional Info.
• From: DMG
• To: Cotter Corporation
• Permit Index Doc Type: DMO
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
May 10th, 2005
COLORADO
DIVISION O F
MIN&RALS
GEOLOGY
RECEAMgTION•MINING
SAFETY•SCIEN CE
Bill Owens
Governor
Dave White
Cotter Cor oration ~
Russell George
p Executive Director
P.O. Box 700
Grand Junction, CO 81424 Ronald W. Cottony
Division Director
/
/
~ Natural Resource Trustee
Re: Request for Sampling and Additional Information for Uranium Mine Permits: JD-6, M-1977-310, JD-8
i
1984-014 and JD-9, M-1977-306. ~
Dear Mr. White:
The Division of Minerals and Geology continues to review the above referenced permits to determine whether
Designated Mining Operation (DMO) status is warranted. The Division is formally requesting the following sampling
and additional information to help in that assessment:
Cotter Corporation has already set up an approved sampling protocol for the SM-18 MINE for waste and ore
characterization. The Division is requesting that the approved sampling methods be used to characterize the waste
and ore materials coming from the above referenced mines. Because these mines are very close geographically
and you have indicated that mining occurs in fhe same strata and mineralogy is similar, the Division has determined
that composite samples from the 3 mines should be sufficient to represent the leaching characteristics of the waste
rock and ore.
The JD-9 MINE is the only mine of the 3 that has an active water discharge. The Division is requesting a copy of
the last 12 monthly sampling reports to the Water Quality Control Division. Additionally, Cotter needs to supply the
Division with a copy of the approved discharge permit for the review process. The Division is concerned about the
potential impacts from treated waters coming in contact with waste from the JD-9 portal area. A permanent
sampling location in the drainage just below waste rock piles needs to be established and sampled as well. Testing
should include normal water quality parameters as well as nitrogen compounds. Monthly testing will be required at
first to establish a baseline and may be dropped back to quarterly at a later date, upon request from the operator
and Division Approval.
All test results for Cotter mines should be sent to the Grand Junction Field Office. Staff will then forward on the
results to the appropriate personnel in the Denver Office far additional review.
If you need additional information, please contact me at the Division of Minerals and Geology, Grand Junction Field
Office, 101 5. 3rd St., Suite 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, telephone no. 970.241.1117.
Sincerely
us ell Means ~~
Environmental Protection Specialist
Cc: Harry Posey, DMG Staff GeoChemist, Denver
Cc: Carl Mount, DMG North Team Senior Environmental Specialist, Denver
Office of Office of Colorado