2008-09-18_INSPECTION - M1978072

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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1978-079 INSPECTION DATE: 8129.19108 INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: -.II.E_L MAC OBSERVATIONS This was a pre-operation inspection of the Brent Pit, permit number M-1978-072. This site is located about seven miles north and one mile west of Arriba, Colorado in Lincoln County. I, Jared Ebert and Michael Cunningham of the Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety conducted the inspection of the site. Mr. Kenneth Morrison of Lincoln County accompanied us on the inspection. Currently, this site consists of 9.2 acres; Lincoln County would like to add an additional 4.96 acres to the permit area, so they have submitted a conversion amendment application to the Division to add the desired acreage. The current mining operation is contained in the eastern portion of the proposed permit area, the acreage to be added lies west of the pit excavation. The proper mine identification sign and permit boundaries markers were in place. The new permit area is completely delineated with a barbed wire fence owned by the county. Other than that, no other permanent man made structures were noticed on or within 200 feet of the proposed permit area. A mound of what appears to be asphalt runs north south along the western permit boundary line (see Figure 1). This material in within the proposed permit area, it is about two to three feet wide and about 300 feet long. It is unclear what the purpose of the mound is. Mr. Morrison said that he would have a crew come to the site and remove this material. Several piles of material are located on the site. A small pile of concrete rip-rap is located on the east side of the permit area next to the topsoil pile. The mined material is located in piles on the west side of the permit area near the working face of the mine. Mr. Morrision stated that the county hauls in ground-up asphalt "Roto-Mill" material to mix with the mined material as a binding agent (See figures 9-11). He stated that the material is not backfilled onto the site. However, in the area where they mix up this material, the asphalt is being compacted into the surface of the soil. The Division would like the operator to add this step of the mining process to the mine plan. This issue is cited as a problem on the last page of this report, and it will be addressed in the preliminary adequacy review of the amendment application. The operator will need to submit an Notice to the office as it is described in Rule 3.1.5 (9). This is described as follows: a) A narrative that describes the location of the proposed activity b) Approximate volume of material to be mixed with the mine material c) A signed affidavit certifying that the material is clean and inert, as defined in Rule 1.1(20) ( A copy of this definition will be enclosed in with the inspection report) d) The approximate date the proposed activity will commence and end, however, such dates shall not be an enforceable condition. e) (This section is not applicable since the operator will not use this material as backfilling material) f) (This section is not applicable since the operator will not use this material as backfilling material) The topsoil pile is on the east side of the permit area. The pile appeared to have been recently dug into; a small portion of the pile was missing. Mr. Morrision stated that they had used some of the topsoil to create a berm at the toe of the mine area to separate the mining operation from Hell Creek, to prevent damages to the creek. According to Rule 3.1.9 (4), once the topsoil is stockpiled, it must be re-handled as little as possible, and if it is to be relocated, the operator will need t6 obtain Office approval. This is generally accomplished by the operator submitting a technical revision to the approved permit. Since the operator is currently in the process of amending the application, this issue will be addressed in the preliminary adequacy review of the permit application.