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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1997-071 <br />INSPECTION DATE: 1n 19-9nn9 INSPECTOR=S INITIALS: II F <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Caldwell-Nesselhuf Pit, DRMS file no. M-1997-071, operated <br />by William and Beverly Caldwell and Alberta and Lola Nesselhuf. This site located approximately 1.5 to 2 miles <br />northeast of the town of Manzanola, Colorado in Crowley County. I, Jared Ebert of the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the inspection. The Division attempted to contact the operator in <br />regards to the inspection; however no one from the operation attended the inspection. <br />The proper mine entrance sign was in place at the site. The boundaries appeared to be marked with metal <br />posts and the mining disturbance appeared to be within these boundaries. <br />The Division was able to measure the affected land using a GPS unit and found approximately 8.6 acres of land <br />has been disturbed by the mining operation. The operator has stockpiled a large amount of material near the <br />southern boundary of the permit area; next to this material, there was another mound of material that <br />appeared to be topsoil. Both stockpiles seemed stable. The operator has excavated land around these piles, <br />and the working face of the excavation appears to be at about a 2:1 horizontal to vertical ratio or less. <br />It does not appear that this site has been active for a long period of time. Grasses, weeds and shrubs have <br />volunteered throughout the disturbed area indicating inactivity. Based on the annual reports sent to the <br />Division by the operator, it does not appear that there has been any activity since 2002 or 2003; however, it is <br />unclear exactly how long the operation has been inactive. But, it is very likely that the operation has been <br />inactive for longer than 180 days, which is currently not in accordance with the approved mining and <br />reclamation plan for this site. This issue is cited as a problem at the end of this report. <br />Given this, the operator will need to do one of the following options: <br />1.) Initiate mining <br />2.) Submit a Notice of Temporary Cessation as outline in Rule 1.13.5 (2) for an initial five years of <br />cessation. (Fee required is $144) <br />3.) In accordance with Rule 1.13.17, submit a Technical Revision to the approved mining plan to allow <br />for period of inactivity for longer than 180 days. This revision will also need to include all the <br />information required for a notice of Temporary Cessation as outline in Rule 1.13.5 (2). (Fee <br />required is $216) <br />4.) Initiate Reclamation of the site. <br />No other problems were identified at this time and the financial warranty appears to be adequate to reclaim <br />the current excavation.