Laserfiche WebLink
(Page 2) <br />MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1979-181 <br />INSPECTION DATE 5/27/10 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS RCO <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a pre-operation inspection performed by the Division as part of its review of the areas and facilities proposed <br />under Amendment no. AM-2 of this Hard Rock/Metals 110(2) permit. The operator was contacted about scheduling an <br />inspection. The operator's representatives named on page one were present during the inspection. <br />The required notice for AM-2 was posted on the entrance gate to the permit. The required permit ID sign was posted at <br />the entrance gate. The gate is on the permit boundary, and several permit boundary corner posts were also observed. <br />The SW permit boundary runs approximately parallel to Sneffels Creek. Since the mine waste dump extends toward the <br />creek bank along the entire length of the SW boundary, the operator should ensure that the actual location of the <br />boundary (or a uniform setback distance) is well marked, so that onsite activities and disturbance (such as dumping waste <br />rock, routing uncontrolled drainage, or placement of debris or equipment) do not encroach on the creek. The operator is <br />reminded that offsite damage is considered to be a possible violation. There is no problem at this time. <br />There are two approved portals to the underground workings in this permitted area. The upper portal at the NW end of <br />the permit is dry and accesses the underground mining areas. The lower portal near the east end of the permit is an <br />approved discharge point. Both portals were closed and secured. The underground mine pool has risen to the level of <br />the portal since the operator has ceased dewatering the lower workings. The discharge from the lower portal was visually <br />estimated at 50 gpm. The water reported directly to a 3-cell series of unlined sediment ponds (constructed of waste rock). <br />The water level in the lowest pond does not overtop the sediment pond, since the water appears to percolate into the <br />rock. There is, however, a PVC pipe extending from the waste rock slope near the creek about 50 feet below the <br />sediment pond, which is discharging at approximately the same rate. The operator could not verify whether there was a <br />connection. One of the mine staff samples the surface water daily at several locations, and showed the records to this <br />inspector during the inspection. <br />The purpose of the current amendment AM-2 application is to gain approval for adding a milling facility to the permit. No <br />additional land is to be added to the permit under this amendment. The proposed location of the mill is at the large door <br />to an underground room, between the office building and the upper portal. This site is also just feet away from the base of <br />the avalanche path. Portions of the crushing and conveying activity would be performed outside the room on an existing <br />concrete pad. A strong shed roof structure is proposed for covering the concrete pad, to protect it from weather and the <br />occasional avalanche. The permit area is situated at a high elevation, in a narrow high gradient setting, at the bottom of <br />an avalanche chute (which enters the site from the NE). Most of the milling activities would be carried out inside the <br />existing underground room. The room measures about 50 ft long x 20 feet high x 20 feet wide, and is dry. There are <br />three smaller rooms or alcoves extending off the main room. The floor is concrete and contains a slight lip at the <br />threshold; the floor is sloped for drainage to a central sump. The capacity of the sump appears adequate for containing <br />the proposed mill circuit vessels, but it must be maintained by cleaning out sediments and fluids. <br />Additional to the large underground room is an elevated crosscut at the rear of the room, where the operator proposes to <br />place sub-ore (mineralized material that is not economic to consider as ore) for storage. The crosscut is reported to be <br />approximately 1200 feet long, and dry. Sub-ore would be processed, slurried to the rear, emplaced and allowed to <br />decant. That water would be collected and pumped back to the mill for reuse. Issues further to the mill equipment, <br />location, and circuits wil be discussed in the amendment adequacy review letters and not in this report. <br />The upper bench of the permit contains a small shed with a generator and the office building. Both are protected <br />locations. The western end of the upper bench and the mid-level bench contain two smaller sheds and various pieces of <br />equipment, parts and debris. After constructing the mill and its cover, all items not being used will be removed from the <br />permit area. Besides there being a very limited amount of available room on the permit, the operator is reminded that junk <br />and debris add to the reclamation cost, which will be reflected in a higher bond. <br />Besides the lower portal and sediment ponds, the lower bench contains a concrete ore storage pad (40 ft x 40 ft approx), <br />and some stockpiled ore. The pile contains about 300 cubic yards and there are about 15 sacks of over one ton each. <br />No mining is occurring and the ore pile is not growing. After the mill becomes operational and mining resumes, the ore <br />pile should not grow very large either, since it will be processed as it is mined. This is not a highly sulfidic or pyritic ore, as <br />very little orange staining is evident, but the operator is cautioned against leaving mined ore on the surface subject to <br />weathering and leaching. If this particular ore will be in this location for longer than 180 days, the ore must be completely <br />covered by an impermeable cover and/or placed on an impermeable lined pad. At this time there is no problem.