2007-03-12_REPORT - M2002003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINED LAND RECLAMATION BOARD 110(2) ANNUAL REPORT ~~'~,~,9 For Season 2006 1~~` ~~ TOPAZ MOUNTAIN GEM MINE PERMIT NO. M-2002-003 Summary: AR y Z2 ' D ~!r°p~ of llepa ~~ on, 7 Mazch 2007 8 and SafePy Topaz Mountain Gem Mine did not operate during the mining season of 2006 as we are still awaiting approval of the Forest Service Operations Plan. State permits were transferred from the estate of Walter M. Rubeck to Joseph L. Dorris and state inspections were completed by Mr. Chris Rowe (Colorado DRMS) and Wendy Dobrowolski (USFS) on 2 May 2006. Additional bond money was submitted and State plans and permits were approved on 11 May 2006. Minor hand digging for assessment purposes was conducted on weekends during several days during the summer. Unfortunately, claim jumpers have actively been hand-digging numerous days on the claims and have dug unauthorized pits. There was no significant production and no use of mechanized equipment during 2006. Map Denicting 2006 Operations: Attached is a map of Topaz Mountain Gem Mine depicting current disturbances and features on the Rubeck Placer and Rubeck Placer No. 2 claims. Current and existing excavations aze indicated by red-dotted lines. The rectangulaz red-dotted line shows the permitted 4.5 acres which are cleazed for disturbance and excavation. Future operations will be in the vicinity of the current existing excavations and Site C. Current Disturbances: Minor disturbances totaling less than 0.02 acres occurred at Site C. Ninety percent of this disturbance was from unauthorized claim jumpers. Additional, unauthorized small, scattered disturbances have occurred above Site B and Site C. Additional unauthorized digging has taken place at Site B, where high graders have dangerously undercut some lazge boulders. Total unauthorized digging during 2006 is about 0.06 acres. All unauthorized digging has occurred within the permitted 4.5 acres and will be reclaimed through normal operations. Previous disturbances, prior to 2004 have not changed. These include two open excavation pits, a topsoil storage pile, a berm, existing roadways, areas in which pipe for drainage was laid, a gray water system, three platform areas for tents, washing azea, screening azea, and storage areas. Based on field surveys, the two excavations and topsoil storage represent approximately 0.42 acres disturbance. Site A (lower excavation) is about 0.24 acres. Site B is a small pit, about 0.08 acres. The berm, storage platform areas, washing azea, and screening area represent another 0.06 acres. The existing logging roads represent 0.25 acres. The Forest Service Road 211 and the turnout aze an additiona10.23 acres. This acreage amounts to 0.96 acres of the 4.5 permitted acres presently disturbed. Additionally, numerous high graders have been entering the site and digging holes. This disturbance may exceed 0.15 acres. All will be reclaimed as mining progresses.