2010-06-15_REVISION - M1977300

• Permit No: M1977300
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 6/15/2010
• Doc Name: Adequacy Review
• From: DRMS
• To: Cotter Corporation
• Type & Sequence: TR12
• Email Name: DB2
• Email Name: AJW
• Email Name: DAB
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
June 15, 2010
Mr. Randy Whicker
Health Physicist / RSO
Cotter Corporation
P.O. Box 1750
Canon City, CO 81215
J ?COLORADO
DIVISION OF
0146 RECLAMATION
MINING
SAFETY
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
James B. Martin
Executive Director
Loretta E. Pineda
Director
Re: Schwartzwalder Mine, Permit No. M-1977-300, Technical Revision
TR-12 Adequacy Review
Dear Mr. Whicker:
The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) has completed the adequacy review of
Technical Revision TR-12 for Cotter Corporation's (Cotter) Schwartzwalder Mine in Jefferson
County. DRMS has concluded that the TR as submitted is inadequate and additional material as
specified below is required before the TR can be approved.
Item 1
The item adequately addresses the issue of Sump Number One water treatment. The Cotter
response also references modifications intended to eliminate the need for water treatment. Any
such proposals must be addressed through the permit revision process.
Item 2
In addition to the activities proposed, the Division requires Cotter to address the potentially serious
problem of the mine pool. Now that the cone of depression that formed due to mine dewatering
appears to have recovered (Figure 8-13 in Environmental Protection Plan), the subsequent
attainment of static conditions in the water table for a period of time should result in a reversal of
the ground water hydraulic gradient back toward the creek. Hydraulic communication from the
mine pool to locations downgradient is therefore inevitable, and the operator must prepare for that
contingency to prevent or minimize off-site migration of mine pool water. The current chemical
condition in the mine pool represents a significant disturbance to the prevailing hydrologic balance
and a potential violation of §34-32-116(7)(c), (g), (h), and (i) C.R.S. Therefore, the operator shall
comply with the requirements of the May 21, 2010 letter. As stated in the May 21, 2010 letter, the
operator must reinitiate mine water dewatering and water discharge treatment sufficient to bring
the mine water table to a level at least 500 feet below the Steve Level, and sufficient to reestablish
a hydraulic gradient away from Ralston Creek. Details of how that will occur must be included in
your response to this letter and implementation must occur as soon as possible, but no later than 31
July 2010.
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand )unction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines