2009-02-04_INSPECTION - M1977493

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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID#: M-1977-493 PAGE: 2 INSPECTION DATE: 9-25-08 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ACS Construction of the new Tailing Delivery Line (TDL) was inspected. The TDL is High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) 36 inch diameter with a Standard Diameter Ratio (SDR) of 21. TDL sections are joined by butt fusion welding. One complete welding cycle was observed. The sections to be joined are clamped into the fusion machine. The ends are faced with an integrated knife and cleaned with rubbing alcohol. The section ends are pressed against the heating disc at 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for minimum 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The heated section ends are then joined under high pressure for minimum 36 minutes. The fusion machine has an integrated data logger that records times, pressure, and temperature during the butt fusion process. A quality control review of the logged data occurs daily. Each weld is non- destructively tested to detect lack of fusion using Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction. Of the approximately 200 welds that had been completed as of the day of the inspection, two welds with lack of fusion had been detected. Failing welds are cut out six inches either side of the butt fuse and re- welded. Ongoing reclamation work in Robinson Tailing Pond was inspected. This included dumping sediments removed from Robinson Lake at the east end of No. 2-Dam for disposal into Ten Mile Pond. Reclamation was also occurring on the south side of the Robinson Pond water pool with placement of geogrid, soil salvaged from the construction area of the Sludge Densification Plant, and biosolids. Installation of the new Robinson Lake mill water supply pipeline was inspected. This is a steel line in the lower sections where pressure will exceed 200 psi, and 30 inch diameter HDPE SDR 11 in the lower pressure part of the line. The butt fusion machine was down at the time of this inspection, and the crew was awaiting parts. The location where the new pipeline will pass under Highway 91 had been cleared and was inspected. The Arkansas River through Storke Yard was inspected. The headwaters of the Arkansas River had been routed through a culvert in Storke Yard for several decades. The reclamation plan for Climax and a Department of the Army permit required that the river be day-lighted and restored. Primary work on this project was completed in 2007. Numerous photos of the project were taken during this inspection, are attached to this report, and illustrate the high quality of the work done on this project. Composted biosolids were applied to the contoured banks and vegetation is beginning to establish. The restored stream shows no signs of erosion or other instability thus far. Inspection & Enforcement Contact Address NAME Gary Slifka OPERATOR Climax Molybdenum Company STREET Climax Mine CITY/STATE/ZIP Climax, CO 80429