Laserfiche WebLink
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1978-009 <br />INSPECTION DATE: U09/2008 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: IF1 <br />AJW/PSH <br />On June 9th' 2008 I, Jared Ebert, Tony Waldron and Peter Hays of the Colorado Division of Reclamation <br />Mining and Safety conducted an inspection of the Apache mine; permit number M-1978-009. This site is <br />located about four miles west of the town of Calhan, in El Paso County, Colorado. At this time, the operator is <br />changing from Robinson Brick to General Shale Brick; this inspection was conducted to determine if the <br />financial warranty in place for this site is adequate. Mr. Greg Knell and Jason McGraw of Robinson Brick <br />accompanied us on the inspection. <br />This is a 1691.00 acre site; the maximum allowable disturbance for this site is 85 acres. According to the 2007 <br />annual report submitted to the office for this site, about 69.8 acres are disturbed. The post-mine land use <br />designated for this site is rangeland. Three distinct areas are disturbed in this site, they are designated the North <br />Mine Area, the Middle Mine Area, and the South Mine Area. <br />The North Mine and South Mine Area is where the majority of the mining activity is occurring. At the North <br />Mine Area, several large product stockpiles are placed in the middle of a large processing pad area (see figure <br />2.). It appears that if the product stockpiles were removed, it would take very little earthmoving to grade the <br />site to create slopes to emulate the contours of the surrounding area. Two ponds are located in this area, one is <br />along the north access road and is used as a stock pond for cattle (see figure 1.). The other is on the southern <br />end of the North Mine Area and it is used for storm water management (see figure 3.). Both ponds appear to be <br />stable and functioning well. <br />The Middle Mine Area, is mainly composed of minor disturbances, a large portion of this area has been <br />reclaimed with rangeland grasses. The reclaimed vegetation appears to be well established. A portion of this <br />site is being used as a storage space for two product stockpiles. (see Figures 4-5) <br />The South Mine Area consists of a large processing pad with several product stockpiles in place on the pad, and <br />a pit excavation. A problem was noted in this portion of the mine area, a large amount of water is currently in <br />the pit excavation (see figure 6.). According to Mr. Knell, as mining progressed deeper in the pit water began to <br />appear. The operator is investigating the source of the water; it would appear to be ground water. Mr. Knell <br />stated that he would be seeking a well permit for this pit from the OSE. If the pit will be dewatered to continue <br />mining, a discharge permit will need to be obtained as well. Also, Mr. McGraw stated that the operation may <br />need to use blasting techniques in the future for this site. If so, the operator will need to submit a Revision to <br />the permit and submit a Geotechnical Stability Exhibit that off-site areas will not be adversely effected by <br />blasting during mining and reclamation operations pursuant to rule 6.4.4 (i). <br />Sparse vegetation cover was established on the topsoil stockpiles specifically on the tops of the piles and the <br />south facing slopes (see Figure 7. for as an example). The topsoil piles should be re-seeded to ensure the piles <br />are stable to prevent wind and water erosion. <br />The bond for this site was recalculated in 2005 by Mr. Berhan Keffelew of the DRMS. At this time the bond is <br />set at $181,161.00, this appears to be adequate, so the succession of operators request will be approved.