2005-08-22_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1977319

• Permit No: M1977319
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 8/22/2005
• Doc Name: County Comments Regarding Operators Request for Release
• From: DMG
• To: Francis Ferron
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman 5[., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
August 19, 2005
Mr. Francis R. Ferron
Custer County Administrator
PO Box 150
Westcliffe, CO 81252
~ED~`~VED
AUG 2 p Y005
Grorsmn of Minerals ae1 GeefoBY
Re: Swallow Perlite Mine, Persolite Products, DMG Permit No. M-1977-319,
County Comments Regarding Operator's Request for Release.
Dear Mr. Ferron,
COLORADO
DIVISION OF
MI N SRALS
GEOLOGY
REC LAMATION~MINING
SAEETT•S CIENLE
Bill Owens
Governor
Russell George
Execmive Director
Ronald W. Cottony
Division Direttor
Natural Resource Trustee
Thank you for your letter dated July 25, 2005, in which you raised the Board of County Commissioners' concems
about the reclamation and release of the above named permit. I hope to address the Board's concerns by providing
a brief overview of the reclamation information in the paragraphs below. Please feel free to forward this
information to the Commissioners.
One of the stated concerns involved future problems stemming from the nature of the "ore" that was mined there.
The commodity mined was perlite, which is a fairly neutral, stable and benign material, as far as chemical reaction
and leaching goes. In its various forms, it is commonly processed for use as insulation, and as a constituent of
commercial potting soil mixes. It isnon-metallic and will not dissolve or oxidize; it will not move through soil nor
contaminate groundwater resources.
A part of the permit application was a proposed reclamation plan, which had to be approved by this office as part of
approving the application. hr order to obtain the permit, the applicant had to commit to completing the approved
reclamation. Additionally, the applicant had to post a financial warranty (a bond) before the permit was issued.
The bond has remained posted by the operator throughout the life of this mine; it is still posted.
The operator has finished mining and has commenced final reclamation. L7 order to be released from final
reclamation responsibility and secure the return of the bond, the operator must demonstrate that final reclamation
has been completed according to the details of the approved reclamation plan. At the present time, the operator has
submitted a request for release of reclamation responsibility and has stated that reclamation is completed. It is now
the obligation of this office to inspect the site to confirm whether the approved reclamation plan has, in fact, been
fully carried out.
The reclamation plan, in brief, includes details about final slope gradients, overburden and topsoil materials, control
of erosion, and revegetation. The slopes are to be no steeper than 2:1 (horizontal:vertical) wherever possible. The
main reasons for this 2:1 maximum gradient are to minimize erosion, reduce hazards to wildlife, and to ensure
better vegetation establishment. There was minima] topsoil at the site (due to its natural scarcity and the lack of
salvaging it during pre-law mining at this quarry) so use of the low-grade perlite as a growth medium was
approved. Its characteristics of good water holding capacity, neutral pH, and good texture, allowed this office to
approve it as part of the final reclaimed surface. Revegetation requirements in the approved plan include seeding
bluegrama and a wheatgrass species, as well as a legume species. There are also to be woody species planted, such
as ponderosa pine and mountain mahogany, throughout the site.
Office of Office of Colorado
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