2009-10-16_INSPECTION - M1978287

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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1978-287 INSPECTION DATE 9/16/09 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This inspection was performed by the Division as part of its monitoring of Construction Materials 112c permits. The operator was contacted about the scheduled inspection. The operator's representative named on page one was present during the inspection. The site was not active at the time of the inspection. The T©michi Creek crosses the middle of the site, with the old pit/pond and old main entrance on the north portion, and the new stockpile area and new entrance located on the south portion. There has been no recent mining in either portion of the site. The old pond has not been expanded or redisturbed and the old gravel-covered area still remains in the northern portion. The southern portion is adjacent to an active permitted gravel pit and is where the current operator has been accessing the site to stockpile gravel products generated offsite and waste concrete and waste asphalt for recrushing/rebatching. Several acres of the southern edge of the permitted area have been affected in recent years for stockpiling. The site is approved for a phased mining plan, but as mentioned above, there has been no mining on the site since the initial pond/pit was created. The current operator should be aware of the approved sequence of mining phases. The site has been accessed from the south edge (along an existing haul road between other adjacent permitted sites) but not from the approved entrance in the NE corner of the site. None of the conditions above currently constitute a problem in this report, but together they may be considered important enough to merit a technical revision to the permit. It is suggested that the operator revise the permit to include the importation of offsite generated materials (gravel, concrete, asphalt) and for stockpiling them along the southern edge; the revision should also include an updated sequence of mining phases, if necessary; and the revision should include any current or future site entrance locations. If other changes to the existing approved mining or reclamation plans are contemplated, they should be made part of the permit through a revision. The fee for a technical revision is $216. There was a patch of Canada thistle noted in the eastern end of the site, immediately north of the old bridge over Tomichi Creek. The patch was estimated to be about 1000 sq ft. It is set back a short distance from the creek, making the choice of which herbicide to use easier. The presence of this noxious weed is noted as a problem in this report, and the corrective action is for the operator to update the existing weed control plan, and begin implementing it next year. (Note: Technical Revision TR-3 was approved in June 2005, specifically for treating the "weeds" of tamarisk and russian olive.) (A copy of this report is being sent to the weed district, see address below.) Many of the permit boundaries are concurrent with fencelines, roads, etc., but the operator should ensure that all corners are adequately (visibly and durably) marked, and that the entrances are adequately posted with current permit ID signs. The bond amount id $22,928. The bond is due for review at this time, and the new figures will be sent under separate cover to the operator for review. The recalculated amount will be based on the existing plan, plus will it include weed control,. If an increase is indicated, the operator will have 60 days to provide it. No further items were observed during the inspection. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to this inspector at the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, 691 County Road 233, Suite A-2, Durango, Colorado 81301. (Please note: As of 7/1/08 the Durango Field Office moved to the new address, shown above. Please revise your records as necessary.) Cont. No tamarisk or Russian olive were noted, but the operator is reminded to continue monitoring and treatment as needed.