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~ '/~ <br />/ III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII <br />999 <br />BaFFIe MounFain Gold <br />October 27, 1999 <br />~tECEIVED <br />VIA CERTIFIED MAIL - RRR <br />Ms. Dazcy O'Connor . <br />Technical Enforcement Program <br />Office of Enforcement, Compliance <br />and Environmental Justice <br />U.S. EPA Region VIII <br />999 18`s Street, Suite 500 <br />Denver, CO 80202-2466 <br />Subject: EPA Inspection Report <br />Deaz Ms. O'Connor: <br />~~~:•~sicn t ~ ~+Ainerab 8 Geology <br />This letter has been prepazed in reply to your letter dated September 27, 1999 regarding the <br />inspection report prepared for the San Luis Project. <br />Battle Mountain Resources, Inc. and Battle Mountain Gold Company ("Respondents") and its <br />representatives who were present at the inspection have reviewed the EPA in<_pection report <br />dated September 27, 1999. During review of the EPA inspection report, Respondents identified <br />factual errors in the narrative section and in the summary of water quality data that would affect <br />the findings and basis as presented in the inspection report. These errors include inaccuracies <br />regarding the site description and sample handling procedures as described in the following <br />paragraphs. In addition, Respondents have identified potential discrepancies in tt:c: water quality <br />analyses results presented in the inspection report and therefore request copies ~f the original <br />laboratory reports for the water quality analysis. <br />Tailin s Pond <br />The tailings impoundment is a synthetically lined, zero-discharge facility with a surface area of <br />approximately 192 acres. Reclamation of the tailings impoundment surface has beer. completed on <br />all but approximately 23.1 acres. Thus, on page 2 in the first sentence descributg the tailings <br />impoundment, the correct reference to acreage of the tailings impoundment should be 192 acres. <br />Underdrain flow from the tailings impoundment is directed into the collection pond, which is <br />located at the toe of the tailings impoundment embankment The inspection report in~:orrectly states <br />that the pumpback system, which pumps water from the collection pond back up to the tailings <br />pond, is operated daily for 11 hours at a rate of 350 gpm, which would be equivalent to a total <br />volume of 1,617,00 gallons per week. In actuality, the pumpback system is currently operated once <br />a week for a period of approximately 14 hoots at a rate of 540 gpm, which is equiv.rlent to a total <br />weekly volume of approximately 453,600 gallons. <br />P.O. BO%I637 BATTLE MOUHTA~M NEVADA BB020-IE27 (703)E362.185 FA%102)634-96T1 <br />