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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1977-nib <br />INSPECTION DATE: 9-g3-gOn9 INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: HE <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a pre-operation inspection of the Greeley 35th Avenue Mine, DRMS File# M-1977-036. This site is <br />located within the city of Greeley, Colorado in Weld County. I, Jared Ebert of the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the inspection. Mrs. Anne Best Johnson and Mr. David Jordan of <br />Lafarge West, Inc. accompanied me on the inspection. <br />Lafarge submitted an Amendment application to the Division in order to add 12.38 acres to the current <br />approved permit area of 369 acres. The expansion area is located at the north west corner of the current <br />operation. Bordering the boundary of the expansion area is a fence separating the proposed mining operation <br />form the Poudre Trail adjacent to the Cache La Poudre River. The expansion area is relatively flat and appears <br />to have been a prairie dog colony at one time. The Division did not observe any other permanent man-made <br />structure on/or near the expansion area beyond what was described in the amendment application. <br />Mining in the current permit area is near completion. Lafarge has excavated four pits; the West Pit, South <br />Central pit, North Central Pit, and the East Pit. The south east portion of the permit area is where the existing <br />plant site/ "Industrial Area" is located. <br />The East Pit is a large open water pond. The slopes surrounding the pond are densely vegetated with various <br />wetland plant species and several noxious weeds such as Tamarisk and Russian olive. Lafarge has <br />implemented a weed management program for the Tamarisk infestation. Many of the Tamarisk trees <br />appeared to have been treated, however many more are beginning to establish. Lafarge is encouraged to <br />continue to monitor and treat the Tamarisk trees and Russian olive trees to avoid a large infestation in the <br />future. A good portion of the pit slopes have been undercut at the waterline. Often, there is a 1-4 foot cut in <br />the slope just above the water line most likely due to wave action. The site will not be released if the pit <br />slopes are not in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. According to the Exhibit C map, this open <br />water pond is about 54+ acres in size. The operator intends to backfill the majority of this pit, leaving an 11+ <br />acre pond. Lafarge is encouraged to monitor the pit slopes as they near completion of the reclamation project <br />to ensure they meet the standards of the reclamation plan. <br />The North Central Pit is also an open water pond containing about 27+ acres according to the Exhibit C map. <br />The pit slopes are similar to the east pit in terms of vegetation and gradient. The pit slopes at the southern <br />end of the pit appear to be fairly steep above the water line. The water was fairly clear and the slopes below <br />the water line appeared more gradual. There is an earthen dike separating the North Central Pit and the <br />South Central Pit. As the South Central pit is backfilled, Lafarge will need to construct the pit slopes above the <br />water line so they comply with the approved reclamation plan. <br />The South Central Pit is broken up into two pits separated by the conveyor system running from the West Pit <br />to the Industrial Area. Lafarge is backfilling these two pit excavations. The side slopes of the excavation area <br />very steep and have a small amount of water exposed at the base of the pit. When this site is fully reclaimed, <br />Lafarge proposes to leave two 8 acre open water ponds and a small wetland area. <br />2