2005-12-30_REPORT - M1976009HR - Laserfiche WebLink

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Additional Page 2005 Annual Report Menzer Quarry M-1976-009-HR Schmidt Construction Company Anniversary Date: December 31 Overview of Permit Year: During the 2005 operating year there was a great deal of activity at this site. However, in spite of all the mining done, the quarry changed very little. This was because, as has been the case for some time, all of material that was mined was within areas that had previously been mined. The north side of the affected land was where virtually all of the mining occurred. Muting on the south side of the operation where mining has been done the last few years has essentially been completed, but mining on the floor of the quarry below that south side is continuing as the north side is reduced. Axmual Report Maps: Like the 2004 annual report map, this map is prepared using the new topographic map prepared in 2004. Affected Lands: The amount of affected has changed from last year. Although mining on the north side of the operation lowered that area considerably, but expansion was virtually zero. Most of the additional affected land is accounted fox in the continued expansion of cleared land in preparation fox mining. All of this additional clearing occurred in the southwestern corner of the permit area and has now been cleared to the affected land boundary. Stability Problem Area: In the process of mining the north side of the Phase 1 area, the plan was followed very closely in creating a couple of highwalls on the west side of a knob that was to remain on the northeastern corner of the Phase 1 mining area. As mining proceeded into this area it was found that this area is occupied by a hard central core of granite surrounded by heavily weathered and fractured rock. During the last shot taken in this area it was noticed that the entire area trembled strongly. Although there was no danger of collapse, it is clear that the long term stability of this wall, even if backfilled as called fox in the plan, is highly questionable due to the decayed rock that surrounds the hard central core. During the planning of the mine this condition was not expected and there were no indications that this was the condition. In fact, adjacent rock showed high integrity and there was little reason to suspect the outer zones of this area would be so thoroughly decayed as to present a long term stability issue. In early 2006, this area will be carefully examined to determine whether removal of at least the upper portions of the resulting wall would provide a longer term stability. It maybe necessary to modify the plan slightly to allow fox removal of all ox a major portion of the existing knob. In the event the knob needs to be removed, it will result in a gently sloping surface rather than a steep, backfilled bench surface. This is advantageous to the reclamation although it does not actually have any impact on the overall reclamation plan. If a change in the treatment of this area is deemed necessary, the Division will be contacted to determine what is needed in the way of a permit change, if any. Again, however, this is not a situation of immediate concern, but is of concern from the point of view of long term stability. Revegetation: The site is stable and is not subject to erosion. No revegetation was done in 2004 as no land was available to revegetate. Weed Infestation Found: Although this site is generally weed free ox has very minor noxious weed problems, during the inspection to prepare the annual report an area was discovered that contains a moderately strong population of what appears to be all diffuse knapweed. This infestation occurs on the south side of the Schmidt Construction Company 2005 Annual Report M-76-009-HR Menzer Quarry Page 1 of 2