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Paper for SME by 1 <br /> Bob Kilborn <br /> "How did an existing operation such as the Climax Mine comply with the implementation of the Clean <br /> Water Act? <br /> Operations Overview <br /> Throughout most of its 75-year history, the Climax Mine has been the world's primary producer of <br /> molybdenum concentrates. For many years this single mine provided 70% of the free world's molybdenum <br /> supply. During the 1960's and 1970's, the supply of molybdenum from other sources expanded. By the <br /> early 1980's, Climax was operating at a rate of 50,000 tons ore per day, when worldwide over-supply of <br /> molybdenum became apparent. Climax responded by reducing its production to the point of temporary <br /> closures from 1982 to 1984 and again from 1987 to 1989. Limited production from underground was <br /> resumed from 1989 to 1990, and again in 1991. Currently the mine is on a standby basis, capable of <br /> resuming production on short notice. <br /> Geoaraphic and Climatic Conditions <br /> Located in central Colorado and straddling the Continental Divide, elevations at the property range <br /> from a low point of 3200 m above MSL to a high point of 4300 m above MSL. Mining activities have <br /> disturbed 1375 ha. Ambient temperatures range from -400C to 20°C. It is easy to discuss climatic region <br /> as an average; but averages do not really tell us much. Climax receives approximately 60 cm precipitation <br /> per year. Of this amount, approximately 80% falls as snow, resulting in some 760 cm snow-per year. <br /> Most of the water contained in the snow (approximately 50 cm) is released during the spring runoff. As a <br /> result, for the seven-month period of September to April, little flowing water is available for mining <br /> operations. During that time, Climax is an alpine desert. In the two-month period of May to June, spring <br /> comes to the mountains, the snow melts and the runoff flows at the rate of approximately 20 cm water <br /> per month, a rate equivalent to more than 450 cm per year. The remainder of the year is classified as <br /> semi-arid. In effect, the climate of Climax varies from alpine desert to extremely wet over the course of <br /> each year. <br />