2010-02-25_INSPECTION - M1977222

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MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID #: M-1977-999 INSPECTION DATE: 2-1z-9CLn INSPECTORS INITIALS: 11F OBSERVATIONS This was an inspection of the Rocky Ford South Pit, DRMS File No. M-1977-222. This inspection was conducted to evaluate the site conditions and financial warranty to facilitate a permit transfer (SO-01). This site is located approximately three miles southwest of Rocky Ford, Colorado in Otero County. The current operator; Valco, Inc. would like to transfer the permit to All Rite Paving and Redi Mix, Inc. I, Jared Ebert of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) conducted the inspection. Denise Gonzales and Phill Crumb of All Rite Paving and Redi Mix, Inc. were aware of the inspection; however they were unable to attend. This is a 147.41 acre site that has been mined in different places throughout the permit area. Measurements of the affected areas and stockpiles were obtained using a Trimble GPS unit and a 2009 aerial photograph. A map depicting the Divisions findings is enclosed in this report. A dirt access road enters the site in the northwest portion of the permit area. North of the access road, two excavations have occurred and have been partially reclaimed. One excavation is located in the northwest corner of the permit area. According to the 2009 annual report submitted by the current operator, the northwest excavation has been graded and topsoil. This northwest excavation is about 11 acres in size and has been properly graded in most places. The western portion of the graded pit appears to be steeper than the required 3:1 slope, and several places along the pit slopes have begun to erode and several small gullies have formed. The Operator will need to repair these gullies and take measures to prevent further erosion. Some vegetation has volunteered into this site, primarily annual weeds and tamarisk. Some perennial grasses have also established in a limited extend. The second excavation is located southeast of the first excavation, and is also north of the access road and contains about 4.5 acres. This site is similar to the first excavation, it has been graded and weedy vegetation has volunteered into the area. In terms of the new financial warranty the Division will hold a bond to repair the erosion gullies, re-grade a small portion of the west pit slope of the northwest excavation, revegetate and conduct weed control for these two excavations. In addition to these disturbed areas, a large stockpile of topsoil is located along the north permit boundary and appears to stable with grass cover. Also, two small stockpiles of mined material are adjacent to the excavations. The primary affected area is located southeast of the entrance from the county road and is outlined in red on the enclosed map. This disturbed area is about 23 acres in size. It contains a large 1,600 foot highwall with a .5:1 to 1:1 slope and is about 35-40 foot deep on average. Numerous stockpiles of mined material and overburden are located in irregular shaped berms around the highwall. It appears the product stockpiles are located in the northeast corner of the primary affected area. The Division will hold a bond for backfilling and grading the pit highwall to the required 3:1 slopes, spreading topsoil, revegetation and weed control of this area. Southeast of this area, a large pile of topsoil is in place and appears to be stable. Southwest of the topsoil stockpile a small 10-15 foot excavation has occurred. In the southeast corner of the permit area another excavation has occurred and has been reclaimed. This area is designated as the "Stage I" area on the original mining plan map. This area was released from bonding by the Division in 1988, however the area is still within the permit boundary. Overall this area is reclaimed, however tamarisk trees have volunteered in the bottom of the pit.