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• III IIIIIIIIIIIII Ill ~ STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Department of Natural Resources 131 l Sherman SI., Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Phone: 13031 866-3567 FAX:I1031832-8106 DATE: July 9, 1993 T0: Mike Long ~+2 FROM: Larry Oehler ~pd RE: Maria Valdez Complaint about Battle Mountain Gold (BMG) Waste Disposal Practices, File No. M-88-112 pF' COQ i,`0R ~~ ,b `o ~« ~ /976 Roy Romer Governor Michael B.LOng Division Director On June 30, 1993 you and I met with Maria Valdez who had concerns about Battle Mountain Gold Co.'s waste disposal methods Ms. Valdez was particularly concerned about the burning of wastes at Costilla County disposal sites that she was relatively sure came from BMG's San Luis Project. She was concerned about black smoke and sometimes greenish colors emitted during burning. She also had concerns about oil filters, oil and barrels with liquids in them. She stated that wood pallets, paper, steel and plastic (liner material and pipe) were being disposed of and burned at Costilla County trash dump locations. She stated that she had contacted the state Health Department and was told she should talked to Costilla County officials. She has done so and has not been able to get her concerns addressed. I called Ken Klucksdahl, Operations Manager at the San Luis Project, to inform him of Ms. Valdez's concerns and inquire about BMG's waste disposal practices. Mr. Klucksdahl stated that they have a contract with Coyote Sanitation which provides 20 cubic yards roll on roll off dumpsters in which BMG disposes of paper, refuse steel, pvc pipe, pvc liner scraps, wood pallets, etc. The trash is hauled by Coyote Sanitation to county dump sites for disposal. He stated that used oil is recycled and that they are now salvaging oil from filters and crushing them before disposal. The crushed filters are placed in sealed drums. All grease, lead cupels, chemicals, paint, etc. are sealed in containers and will be shipped to an EPA approved hazardous waste landfill. BMG has not accumulated enough hazardous waste materials since the mine was started to warrant shipment but anticipates that they will be ready to ship these wastes in 3-4 weeks. Mr. Klucksdahl states that to his knowledge no hazardous materials including drums leave the mine site for disposal at county facilities. Ms. Valdez was also concerned about statements Mr. Klucksdahl made to county officials regarding the possible use of the tailings facility as a waste disposal facility. Mr. Klucksdahl says that BMG will reclaim the site as approved in their permit but has told county officials that the reclaimed tailings facility would make an ideal waste disposal site some time in the future because of its design, being a fully lined facility. He suggests that solid waste could be placed on top of the tailings and capped witt earth materials and that the liner would prevent contamination of off site areas.