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<br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1981-185
<br />INSPECTION DATE 6/3/10
<br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE
<br />Unapproved Access Road from CR 124 to La Plata Bridge - Construction of the unapproved access road resulted
<br />in Violation MV-2009-007, issued to Wildcat Mining Corporation for the Idaho Mill. Continued use of the
<br />unapproved access road, for mining related purposes, resulted in Violation MV-2009-033, which was also issued
<br />to Wildcat Mining Corporation for the Idaho Mill. Violation MV-2009-033 was signed and issued December 10,
<br />2009. During a May 13, 2010 hearing, the Board modified the Cease and Desist Order for Violation MV-2009-033
<br />to allow the Operator to conduct a geotechnical investigation of the illegal road. The geotechnical investigation
<br />was necessary to develop an engineering plan, whereby the road might be fixed, to be submitted for review and
<br />approval by the Office. The geotechnical investigation occurred on May 22, 2010. The correspondence from Ms.
<br />Giovanniello, dated May 26th, correlates with the May 22"d geotechnical investigation. However, the geotechnical
<br />investigation utilized a rubber-tired backhoe and not tracked equipment. During this June 3rd inspection, the
<br />Office observed grouser marks, evidence of tracked equipment, on the unpermitted road and is investigating the
<br />potentially unapproved use of the road.
<br />Level 3 (Lamb) Area - Evidence of recent activity at the Level 3 area was not observed. An appropriate mine
<br />identification sign, required by Rule 3.1.12(1), was not posted. Permit boundary markers, required by Rule
<br />3.1.12(2)(a), were not observed. The historic portal has collapsed. Evidence of portal drainage was not observed.
<br />The wood shack has partially collapsed. Reclamation liability at the Level 3 area appears to be appropriately
<br />addressed by the existing reclamation plan and financial warranty.
<br />Level 2 Area - See photos one through five. Evidence of recent activity at the Level 2 area was not observed. An
<br />appropriate mine identification sign, required by Rule 3.1.12(1), was not posted. Permit boundary markers,
<br />required by Rule 3.1.12(2)(a), were not observed. A spring, possibly associated with mine drainage, was observed
<br />nearby the portal. Discharge from the spring was visually estimated at two gallons per second (gpm). One 55-
<br />gallon drum, apparently containing waste oil, was lying on its side nearby the spring and was dripping its contents
<br />from the bung to the ground. Outflow from the spring, and snowmelt from the portal area, visually estimated at
<br />10 gpm, report directly to Little Deadwood Creek. Oil sheen was not observed on the outflow. A portion of Little
<br />Deadwood Creek, located immediately adjacent to the Level 2 portal, was partially obstructed by mine related
<br />debris. Pursuant to Rule 3.1.6, the Operator must relocate all hydrocarbons to an appropriately prepared
<br />location, similar to the containment facility currently present at Level 1. Pursuant to Rule 3.1.6, the Operator
<br />must remove the mine related debris inappropriately placed in Little Deadwood Creek nearby the Level 2 portal
<br />area.
<br />Permit documents indicate National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit CO-0036781 had
<br />been issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division, for
<br />the operation.
<br />Level 1 Area - See photos six and seven. Evidence of recent activity at the Level 1 area was not observed. Mine
<br />identification sign was posted. Permit boundary markers, required by Rule 3.1.12(2)(a), were not observed.
<br />Sometime between the DRMS inspections occurring on April 8 and April 30, 2010, the adit collapsed at the Level 1
<br />portals. Both portals are obstructed. Portions of the illegal mill facility are buried by debris. The Operator must
<br />amend AM-01 to address the collapse and provide a plan for repair of the collapsed portal. As noted above, the
<br />Operator has been ordered by the Board to achieve approval and issuance of AM-01 by September 1, 2010.
<br />However, the Office's decision date for AM-01 is July 5, 2010. If additional time is necessary to respond to the
<br />adequacy issues identified by the Office, please request an extension to the decision date.
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