2009-10-23_INSPECTION - M2002004

Home Browse Search

(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: m-9nn9-n04 INSPECTION DATE: 9.199109 INSPECTORS INITIALS: _ RK OBSERVATIONS The Division conducted a monitoring inspection of the site on 9/29/09. The main purpose of the inspection was to sit down with the operator and go over the numeric protection levels the Division wants to set for the operation. The site is a very large 2500 acre lime stone mining operation with a cement plant. The maximum affected acre for the site is 895. Present during the meeting was Mr. Brian McGill of GCC. Discussed the number of parameters the Division wants to set for the site. Operator had been collecting GW water data for the site from the shallow alluvium since late 2007. DRMS had requested an additional well to be drilled between the mine plant operation and the St Charles River. The well was drilled in 2008, but was found to be dry and no data was collected. During the meeting on 9/29/09. DRMS indicated to the operator that all the shallow alluvium wells will utilized as compliance wells and suggested the following parameters based on the data collected so far. Baseline dat collected so far indicate Radiochemistry for gross alpha exceed the Colorado groundwater standard of 15 pico Curies/Liter in wells MW002, MW003, MW004, AND DUPO-01, both in the 2008 data and the August 28, 2008 data. The source appears to be the natural ground results rather than from ay kind of activity associated with the operation. Normally such elevated radionuclide activities in Colorado aquifers are more or less associated with leaching from granitic bedrock masses, that underlay many aquifers in the state. Mr. McGill was informed that DRMS based on the data provided would like monitoring on a semiannual basis and the results to be submitted annually for Radium 226 and 228, sulfate and TDS. The proposal is to either utilize the mean and 1 standard deviation above the mean or use the highest reading recorded for each parameter and use that as a trend setter. Mr. McGill stated that he will run the proposal to the higher ups in Mexico and get back to DRMS no later than 10/31/09. Mr. McGill stated that he will be getting back to DRMS with by the end of the month. DRMS also pointed out the fact that GCC, to date had not submitted the Technical Revision addressing the water treatment facility and as built drawings for the facility in place so the appropriate financial warranty can be calculated. Mr. McGill apologized and said the delay was not from him but his higher ups in Mexico and will push to get the TR in place that will include all the information requested in the Inspection report dated 1/24/08 and page three of this inspection report. The Division strongly recommends the operator to submit the information requested by the date indicated or sooner. After the meeting a brief site visit was conducted. The clinker operation was down but fine cement was being processed at the time of the inspection. Looked at the pit area, it was active. High walls stable. The overall limestone pit area did not appear to have significantly increased since the last inspection in 2008. In anticipation of the expansion of the pit, top soil was being removed along the west side of the existing pit. Top soil was being stockpiled along the north side of the pit to be moved into a permanent location until need for reclamation. Looked as the cemet fine production which was active at the time of the inspection. Mr McGill mentioned the fact that the water treatment plant that was to be included in the pending TR might never be operational and more than likely be never be utilized. Even if that is the case since the structure is in place it will have to be included in the TR for financial warranty calculation purposes. Permit sign properly posted at the access to the property.