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(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-2007-044 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 5-5-09 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS GRM <br />This inspection was conducted as part of the normal monitoring program established by the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety for permitted sites. The Whirlwind Mine is a 112d Designated Mining Operation <br />(DMO) underground mine located west of Gateway, Colorado. The purpose of the inspection was the 2nd Quarter <br />inspection as required for all DMO permitted sites. <br />The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule 3.1.12. <br />The sign is located at the entrance to the site at the bottom of the hill. Permit boundaries were noted as t-posts along <br />areas of the affected area with others at key corners of the permit area. Chain link fencing is installed along the <br />south side of the county road to prevent public access to mining areas. Fencing also encloses the water treatment <br />tanks area on the south. <br />The primary stormwater run-on diversion ditch constructed last fall is in good condition. Vegetation efforts appear <br />to be taking hold. Grasses are beginning to appear on treated areas. At this time specific species cannot be noted <br />due to the time of year and young plant ages. Approximately 3 acres has been cleared which represents about 1 <br />year's worth of calculated waste rock production. The inspector notes some minor riling in the area from winter <br />precipitation. Since this area is to be covered by waste rock temporary vegetation is not required. However the <br />inspector suggests putting in some erosion controls at the base of the drainage area to contain sedimentation. Hay <br />bales or waddles will contain sediment to the waste rock area and help prevent unnecessary build up in the <br />sedimentation ponds. The sediment pond area of roughly 0.46 acres is in good repair. <br />Topsoil from the exisiting reclaimed slopes of the current waste pile and future dump area have been stripped and <br />moved to the designated topsoil areas. The topsoil stockpiles are noted as being seeded and mulched to prevent <br />erosion. New vegetation growth is noted in this area. The stockpiles are in areas designated within the approved <br />mine plans for that purpose. <br />A temporary ore pad area has been constructed to place ore on which is a small, bermed off site with zero <br />stormwater release. Drainage from this area is directed towards a 6" pipe in a sump that sends the water to the <br />untreated water pond. No ore is noted as having been placed here to date. <br />Underground construction notes that the new pumping station has been completed. Water in the sump was noted to <br />be 50% of capacity. Energy Fuels is currently pumping once a month. The latest water quality reports note that <br />selenium issues have been abated. The inspector noted water seepages in the identified areas of the original permit. <br />Some weeping is occurring at the east face of the access drift but it is less than one gpm and requires no pumping of <br />the area. Overall the underground is in good order and in a ready to go position. <br />The Packrat Portal has had no further disturbance than otherwise noted in earlier reports. Some work was done to <br />the sedimentation pond to ensure that it has adequate holding capacity and will not affect the steep waste slopes <br />below. There is some concern regarding ditch maintenance along the access road last time. Energy Fuels installed a <br />few more culverts at identifiable weak points in the ditches to reduce flows and road impacts. The roads are in good <br />condition and no erosion issues were noted.