GENERAL37543 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

5 2 May '95 COM, Inc. (Mr. Thames Hartley) letter to DMG (Mr. Allen Sorenson) replying to DMG's Adequacy Review letter of 27 March 1995. It states, among other things, that COME, Inc. proposes to add atwo-foot high unlined berm on top of the existing tailings starter dam, then reyuest a Notice of "temporary Cessation pending acquisition of a legal ore source. 30 May '95 On or about this date overtopping of the tailings impoundment liner (but not, seemingly, the dam) occurred due to the heavy precipitation accompanied by apparent blockage of the decant system. COME inspection of the Hazel A adit (with the knowledge and consent of Mr. Steen) showed a water level within sixteen to eighteen inches of the top of the retaining bulkhead, with water condition very clear, and with water leaking rapidly around the bulkhead on the right side near the bulkhead top. A call was placed to Mr. Steen confirming COME observations of the above conditions and advising him of our intent to notity MLRD. We then placed a call to MLRD and spoke with Mr. Sorenson, expressing our concern. A second set of observations a few days later (again with Mr. Stem's knowledge and consent) confirmed that the tailings pond was drawn down substantially, apparently via the decant system; the pond water and an unknown quantity of slimes appeared to have drained into the Hazel A. A recheck of the Hazel A showed the water at approximately the same level as before, but with high turbidity, indicative of a large burden of suspended solids. The fate of the liquids removed from the tailings pond is uncertain; the circumstances indicate an effective discharge into Cash Gulch, via the Hazel A bulkhead leakage. If such discharge occurred, we believe it to have been illegal whether or not it occurred with the knowledge of COM, Inc. 7 June '95 MLRD Staff inspection of COM, Inc. millsite showing no water in tailings pond. Inspector's conclusion was that a discharge of tailing pond water down Cash Gulch occurred, amounting to some ten thousand (10,000) cubic feet. 8 June '95 Boulder County Land Use (Sprague) Itr to DMG (Sorenson) reiterating County position on allowable ore sources for Mill. 9 June '95 DMG (Sorenson) Itr to COME 1 Mason) replying to Committee letter noted as first item listed above. Letter states, among other things, that the Division or board could issue a permit to the Mill even though there may be unresolved land-use issues; that "...(I)f at some point it becomes clear that there exists little or no potential to secure a source of ore ... the operator could be required to reclaim the site....° 20 June '95 DMG (Sorenson) Itr to COM, Inc. (Hartley); adequacy review of permit application Indicates, among other things, that site can be permitted without