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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: m-9nnd-n97 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 19-16-9008 INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: 11E <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Mendenhall Pit DRMS File# <br />M-2004-027. This site is located about three miles south and six miles <br />west of the town of Rocky Ford, Colorado in Otero County. I, Jared Ebert <br />of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the <br />inspection. Darren Garcia, the Road and Bridge Coordinator for Otero <br />County accompanied me on the inspection. <br />The mine identification sign was in place and the boundary markers and <br />lines where delineated with large metal posts and flagging. The site is <br />permitted for 742 acres. The mining operation is taking place on top of a <br />hill or plateau. The operator has created two excavations in the phase <br />one area. One of them is rather small consisting of a small depression in <br />the surface. The other excavation appears to be the primary working area. <br />This area consists of an "L" shaped highwall about 10-12 feet in height. <br />Processing and mining equipment were observed at the site but they were <br />not active during the time of the inspection. <br />At this time, the operator has not salvaged any topsoil at the site. <br />According to the mine plan, the operator has committed to salvaging <br />topsoil at the site and to importing topsoil from a borrow area nearby. <br />Given this information, there will not be a problem cited for the lack of <br />topsoil salvaging at this time. However, it is important to the success <br />of reclamation for as much topsoil as possible to be salvaged. The <br />operator is reminded that they have committed to spreading 6-8 inches of <br />growth media or topsoil over the affected area. From this point forward, <br />the operator should salvage the topsoil that is encountered prior to <br />mining a site. If the salvaged topsoil is not replaced on a reclaimed <br />slope in a time short enough to avoid deterioration, the material shall be <br />stockpiled and stabilized with vegetative cover to prevent damage from <br />wind and water erosion. This is also required in the approved mining and <br />reclamation plan for this site. <br />No other issues were observed during the inspection. <br />2