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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: m-1989-igp_ <br />INSPECTION DATE: 11-1 i-q1Q8 INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: 11 E <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Platte Valley Operation, DRMS file number M-1989-120. This <br />site is located west of Highway 85 near the intersection of Weld County Road 6. I, Jared Ebert of the Colorado <br />Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety, conducted the inspection. Mrs. Connie Davis, Mr. Josh Branson <br />and Mike Soule of Aggregate Industries accompanied me on the inspection. <br />This site contains 190 acres, and was to be mined in five phases. The post mine land use designated for this site <br />is Developed Water Resource. The following is an account of what was observed at each of the five phases. <br />Phase 1: <br />The Phase 1 area is to be backfilled and revegetated with native grasses. Currently, a conveyer system runs <br />across this area to the batch plant/processing area in Phase 5. Some of this area has been backfilled but for the <br />most part the excavation is filled with water. Mrs. Davis indicated that Aggregate Industries may use the Phase <br />1 area for product storage, material processing and the plant site when they begin to excavate the Phase 5 area. <br />Phase 2&4: <br />Phases 2 and 4 have been mined into one large ground water lake. The majority of the pit slopes surrounding <br />the lake appear to be at a 3:1 horizontal to vertical ratio or less. The slopes on the eastern bank of the lake have <br />been revegetated and a dense stand of native grasses have established above the water line. However, the <br />operator is currently backfilling the north and eastern shore of the lake with inert material, by doing this they <br />will extend the shore banks and create less lake surface area. The operator indicated that they may backfill <br />around the remainder of the pit slopes as well. Until all the backfilling is complete around the lake, and the <br />final pit slopes are in place, the operator cannot be released from the Division for pit slope construction. The <br />operator is reminded that the final pit slopes must be at a 3:1 horizontal to vertical ratio for the entire depth of <br />the pit as it is approved in the reclamation plan. The operator has a weed control/management plan in place at <br />this time. It was observed that Tamarisk trees have volunteered around the banks of the lake. The operator in <br />encouraged to monitor these Tamarisks and treat them to prevent their spread and establishment in the future. <br />Once Tamarisk has become established, they are very hard to eradicate. The operator will not be released from <br />their reclamation responsibilities if Tamarisk if found on site. <br />Phase 3: <br />Phase 3 is also designated to be a ground water lake. Currently, the area has been excavated and is filled with <br />water. A large overburden pile is located along the northern pit excavation. The pit slopes appeared to vary in <br />angle around the lake. Some areas appeared to be at a 1:1 angle or less, others at a 2:1 or 3:1 angle. <br />Phase 5: <br />This phase is currently the location of the concrete batch plant, processing area, and product stockpiles. This <br />area is also to be excavated in the future. It will then be backfilled and graded for an industrial site. <br />2