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PERMIT #: M-1988-10 n LINSPECTOR'S INITIALS: JLE <br />INSPECTION DATE: August 27, 2010 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Fondis Pit, DRMS File No. M-1988-101 operated by Elbert County. This <br />site is located approximately .5 miles southeast of Fondis, Colorado in Elbert County. I, Jared Ebert of the Colorado <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the inspection. Mr. Jeremy McKnight of Elbert County <br />accompanied me on the inspection. <br />This is a 68.7 acre 112c mining operation. The proper mine entrance sign was in pace and the permit boundary was <br />marked with metal posts. The haul road enters the site from County Road 94 and heads north into the mine area. Along <br />the haul road, the Operator has created a small parking/equipment storage area. The current mining area is located in Area <br />B identified on the current approved mining plan map. It appears the Operator has two working faces, advancing to the <br />east. The pit excavation daylights to the west. The Operator pushes the mined material into the base of the pit at a 3:1 <br />horizontal to vertical ratio. The mining activity is approaching the eastern boundary. The County has placed posts with <br />bright flagging near the eastern mining limits to signal their employees to not go beyond the boundary. Topsoil has been <br />stripped and stockpiled adjacent to the mine area. The topsoil stockpiles were stabilized from wind and water erosion <br />with vegetative cover. <br />North of the active mine area is a portion of the site previously excavated. This area is in the process of reclamation. The <br />pit slopes have been graded to a 3:1 ratio or less. According to Mr. McKnight, this area has been topsoiled and seeded. <br />Grass has begun to grow in this area, however it was sparse and the area was primarily vegetated with annual weeds and <br />what appears to be a species of sweet clover. The Operator will need to monitor the grass establishment and conduct <br />weed control if needed. The site will not be released unless the grass species identified in the reclamation plan have <br />established on the site. <br />PHOTOGRAPHS <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Figure 2.) Mining area. North central portion of the permit <br />area looking east at southern working face. <br />Figure 1.) Parking/equipment storage area along the haul road.