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pCi-14-99 THU 09 45 SHEPHERD MILLER INC FAX N0. 9702237171 P, 05 <br />.. • i <br />EPA REG10N Vlli -INSPECTION REPORT <br />Hattle Mountain Resources lttc. <br />San Luis Mint <br />DATE: <br />Jutte 15, 1999 <br />PERSONNEL. Donnalrunan, EPA- NPDES Enforcement <br />PRESENT: Darcy O'Connor, EPA • NPDLS Enforcement <br />Patricia Ochoa, EPA - NPDES Enforcement <br />Carol Russell, EPA - EP&R, Mine Waste Team <br />Mike Reed, EPA - NPDES Petntitung <br />William ICniefF, CDPi•IG - Compl3ence Sampler <br />Bill Lyle, Battle Mountain Gold Company, Dit. of t:nvironmerttal Affairs <br />Run Zumwalt, Battle Mountain Gold Company, Safety Superintendent <br />Tim Finely, Shepherd Mdler Inc. - Gcochemist/Hydrologist <br />COPE: <br />'this report summarizes en inspection of the San Luis Mine, an inactive gold mine that was <br />owned in pan by Battle Mountain Gold Co. (BMG) and was operated by Hartle Mountain <br />Resources, Inc. (BMRi), located in Costilla County, Colorado near the town of San L.tis. <br />Information received by tho I;PA from a citizen's group, the Coatilla County Conservancy District <br />(CCCD), indicated that the facility maybe dischargi~tg to waters of the U.S. without a pumit. <br />'L'Ite purpose of the inspection was to verify if tlk: mine was discharging, and if so, to sample the <br />discharge. <br />Prior to the inspection, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment <br />(CDPl•IE) was notified in writing of EPA's intent to inspect the San Luis facility. Ms. O'Connor <br />nlso contacted the headquarters of BMG in Houston, "texas to notify the company of IsPA's <br />intent to inspect and satttple at the San Luis facility. <br />~ACKGROUND• <br />BMRI operated a leach udractiun gvld ttwte at the San Luis faciiity from 1990 through <br />1996. Mining operations ceased in 1996 and reclamation began. Pan ofthe reclamation activities <br />included basld'illing the azcs termed as the WGSt Pit with waste sock. 'the haclsfdl wet completed <br />attd rovegetation commenced in 1997. <br />On t)ctnher 28, 1998, BMG notified CDPHE drat a leap had developed on the hank of <br />lI1C R1~0 Set.U C1lCk dUWO ~1CS1~Of lt1G We,SC Qit. BMtyl9MliL attempted to contain the poop <br />by installing a submersible pump and a french dreiu system to pump the seep back to tha West Pit. <br />..- ... J..... .... <br />