2008-04-09_INSPECTION - M1986104

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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1986-104 INSPECTION DATE: 3/20/2008 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS THM OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted as part of the normal monitoring program established by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. The Montgomery Pit is located 1.5 miles west of Eagle, Colorado off of Highway 6 & 24. The site is a 112c operation that has been completely mined. Jason Burkey and Chip Bair of B&B Excavating accompanied the inspector during the inspection. The mine identification sign and the affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with rule 3.1.12. The sign is located on a post at the main entrance on the south side of the gravel mine. The permit boundaries are comprised of fences and posts that are easily identifiable around the entire perimeter of the mine. The pit is currently mined out but is active as a concrete plant, heavy equipment storage and construction material stockpiling. Various pieces of heavy equipment were observed within the permit area. The concrete plant was operating during the inspection. Stockpiles of various construction materials were observed near the concrete plant in the east end of the permit area. Most of the slopes within the permit area had been reclaimed to slopes that appeared to be no steeper than 2H:1 V. No evidence of major storm water erosion was observed during the inspection. The concrete plant located at the east end of the mine is going to be moved to the west end of the permit area within 2008. There are also plans to construct an asphalt plant at the west end of the mine. Stockpiles of used concrete ready for recycling were observed at the crusher stockpile area of the mine during the inspection. Jason Burkey described that they plan to recycle concrete and asphalt at the Montgomery Pit in the near future. The facility appeared to be free of unnecessary debris and in good order. The operator is currently in the process of building a new office building and maintenance shop and B&B Excavation is planning to relocate its headquarters to the Montgomery Pit within 2008. Various projects associated with the construction of the new facilities were being conducted at the time of the inspection. During the inspection of the eastern permit boundary it was brought to the inspector's attention that the operator recently received a grading permit from Eagle County to remove 4,000 cubic yards from the land adjacent to the eastern permit boundary also owned by the operator. The stated purpose of the removal of the material was to create a better transition between the private land and the pit floor for a proposed open space / access to the Eagle River. The inspector strongly recommended that no excavation take place on the adjacent property until the matter could be looked at more closely to determine if the action would be considered mining outside of the permit area or mining without a permit. The high wall at the east permit boundary was at a slope that appeared to be near vertical, the mining plan states that all slopes will be mined to a steepness no greater than 2H:1 V. The near vertical slopes are currently out of compliance with the requirements of the reclamation permit held by the Division. The operator will need to submit a revision to the permit to incorporate details of the mining method observed during the inspection and changes to the reclamation plan that will be required to reclaim these high walls to the approved configuration. According to the Mine Plan Map that was submitted with the 2003 amendment, topsoil was to be stockpiled on top of the eastern permit boundary. No topsoil was observed on top of the east high wall and it is not clear whether topsoil was ever stockpiled at this location or if was it moved. Please submit documentation that accounts for the missing topsoil and, if the topsoil was relocated, indicate where it was placed.