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(Page 3) <br />I <br />I <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1984-026 <br />INSPECTION DATE 6/10/08 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 1 12c permits. The <br />operator's representative was contacted about the scheduled inspection, but was unable to be present during the <br />inspection. The site was active at the time of the inspection, and there were several of the operator's personnel <br />present onsite, but none were involved with this inspection or onsite discussion of inspection-related issues. (An <br />MSHA official was also present at the site during this time, and was performing his separate inspection and discussion <br />with the operator's personnel.) <br />The onsite activities observed included excavation of pitrun material from the new pit in the eastern portion of the <br />permit area, and crushing and stockpiling of product. The processing activities were not occurring in the processing <br />area approved under Amendment AM-1 in 2004 (please see further discussion below) butlrather in an area immediately <br />south of the new portion of the pit. This is not a problem, since it appeared that the former processing area was not <br />occupied also, and the new area had been properly prepared by stripping the topsoil. The new area will eventually be <br />mined also, further minimizing any adverse effects of processing there. However, there should not be two processing <br />areas, and if the former processing area is not to be used in the future, it should be reclaimed. <br />The operator is reminded that the current mining and reclamation plans that must be followed are those that were <br />approved and bonded under Amendment AM-1 in 2004. Details of those plans will not be reiterated herein, except to <br />note that there are requirements for the following: specific setbacks from overhead utiIlities and buffers along the <br />margins, no exposure of groundwater, seasonal impoundment of recharge water only after proper documentation from <br />the State Engineer's Office, maintaining all pit slopes during mining at the final 3:1 gradient, and a "working bench" <br />to be created at an elevation between the original grade and the pit floor. It is very important that the operator review <br />the plans and ensure that activities conform to them. <br />The old (west) pit floor has not been deepened nor has it received any backfilled material (other than a pile of old <br />asphalt, which will eventually need to be removed). There was an elevated diesel tank in the pit with no secondary <br />containment. The tank was empty, but it should not be used while in the pit nor !while it has no secondary <br />containment. This is not currently a problem. There were two loaders in the west pit too. The floor is above the <br />groundwater depth. The west pit exhibited a couple areas of impounded water, which were both small in area and <br />shallow, and were assumed to be ponded rainwater. <br />I <br />The new (east) pit is where current excavation is occurring. About 12 inches of topsoil ?ras stripped from the area <br />that has been mined and is still to be mined. It was piled by scraper on the north and southeast sides of the expanded <br />pit, which are locations approved under Amendment AM-1. The topsoil stockpiles must be seeded this season, to <br />protect them from wind erosion. The new pit was estimated to be about two acres in size and about 15 feet deep. <br />The side slopes were vertical, but must be sloped during mining. The new pit is not (deep enough to reach the <br />elevation for establishing the working bench, and no groundwater is exposed. <br />The processing area contained several large pieces of diesel-powered equipment. The site! was orderly and contained <br />little debris. All fuels were stored with secondary containment. <br />I <br />The site is being operated according to the plans. Since the site disturbance has not reached the amount that the bond <br />was calculated for, there is still adequate bond remaining to perform reclamation. No further bond calculation will be <br />performed at this time. The operator is reminded to report all mining and reclamation activities in the annual reports. <br />No further items were observed during the inspection. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Bob <br />Oswald at the Division's Durango Field Office: <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />691 County Road 233, Unit A-2 <br />Durango, Colorado 81301