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PERMIT #: M-1983-130 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: JLE <br />INSPECTION DATE: September 27, 2010 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the West Pit, DRMS File No. M-1983-130 operated by Elbert County. This <br />site is located approximately 13 miles south and 2 miles east of the town of Simla, Colorado in Elbert County. I, Jared <br />Ebert of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) conducted the inspection. Mr. Jeremy <br />McKnight of Elbert County accompanied me on the inspection. <br />This is a 9.0 acre 110c mining operation. The proper mine identification sign and permit boundary markers were in place. <br />Based on a 2009 aerial photograph of the site, it appears about 5.5 acres has been disturbed. The Operator mines this site <br />on an intermittent basis and excavates the area by pushing the mined material into a pile at the base of the pit. By <br />conducting mining in this fashion, they leave the excavation slopes set at a 3:1 horizontal to vertical angle. Small erosion <br />gullies have formed on the excavation slopes that will need to be repaired for final reclamation. Any sediment created by <br />these erosion gullies is captured in the pit excavation. Topsoil has been stripped in advance of the mining activity and <br />stockpiled north and east of the current pit excavation. These piles appeared to be vegetated with native grasses and <br />annual weeds. A small stockpile of mined material is located at the center of the pit. <br />South of the current pit excavation the Operator has reclaimed a small portion of an earlier excavation. The southern <br />slopes have been graded to a 3:1 ratio or less. Native vegetation has begun to establish in this area. The vegetation is <br />sparse in some areas and dense in others. The primary grass species established in this area is Blue Grama grass. <br />No problems were observed during this inspection. <br />PHOTOGRAPHS <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Figure 2.) From the eastern portion of the site looxmg west. <br />Excavation slopes. <br />Figure 1.) From the southwest corner of the site looking east. <br />Reclaimed southern section of the site.