2010-01-08_REVISION - M2005050

• Permit No: M2005050
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 1/8/2010
• Doc Name: EPP decision date extension letter
• From: DRMS
• To: Rimrock Exploration & Development
• Type & Sequence: AM1
• Email Name: GRM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLOBAc??O
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
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January 8, 2010
,IAN 2 ? 2010
Alan Chiles
Division of Reclamation,
Rimrock Exploration & Development Mining and Safety
P.O. Box 430
Nucla, Colorado 81424
COLORADO
D IV IS I ON OF
RECLAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
Harris D. Sherman
Executive Director
Ronald W. Cattany
Division Director
n ?/j_ 0' Natural Resource Trustee
Re: J-Bird Mine, File No. M-2005-050, 110d, Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), Decision Date Extension,
and Well Placement / Depth.
Dear Mr. Chiles,
The Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (Division) has received Rimrock's request for an extension to the decision
date of the EPP Amendment and request to place ore on the existing ore pad. There are also some questions about the
depth and location of monitor wells for the EPP.
The Division is willing to extend the decision date for the EPP once. The Designated Mining Operation (DMO) rules are
not clear as to how to handle the request other than the initial submittal. Regular amendments and new permits are
afforded additional time up to 365 days from the date of submittal. However, Bluerock and Rimrock have exceeded
365 days in getting the EPP amendment submitted and under review. The extension requested is for 60 days to March
8, 2010. However snow cover has created conditions that make getting drill equipment into place very difficult if not
impossible. The Division therefore is granting a weather extension of the decision date to May 14, 2010. The extension
is granted with the stipulation that wells need to be drilled and the first data collected by no later than the May 14th and
if weather improves the wells will be constructed as soon as possible.
Division staff has discussed the location of the monitor wells and approves the location of the first well drilled. The
other three JB-2, JB-3, and JB-4 should be drilled as close to the proposed locations in the EPP as possible along existing
Notice of Intent access routes. Final locations should be recorded with a GPS and submitted to the Division with an as-
built map. Per Rule 6.4.20(8) (c): characterization .."shall be to the upper most aquifer where there is a potential for
contamination"... Based on this requirement, the depth of the wells should be no less than through the Entrada
Formation to the contact with the Carmel Formation contact unless an aquifer is encountered. The depth will ensure
the unknown groundwater regime is thoroughly documented beneath the mine but not unreasonable in depth for
characterization, of possible mine impacts. Please note drill logs and well construction details including all water
interception and data shall be submitted to the Division upon completion of the each well. Pizometers will be required
if low or no flows are discovered. Five (5) quarters of groundwater monitoring are required. Dates of submission of
groundwater data reports shall be determined when all wells are constructed. Once the five quarters are submitted the
operator and the Division will discuss continued monitoring intervals and requirements. All construction must meet
state well construction standards and be done by a licensed well construction contractor. Otherwise, the validity of the
data collected could be challenged by outside interests.
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines