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PERMIT #: M- 1978-09 1 -UG <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: RCO <br />INSPECTION DATE: October 28, 2010 <br />pile of sub-ore on the level 6 pad. The piles were un-tarped at the time of the inspection to allow them to dry prior to <br />crushing; the tarps used for covering them during inclement weather were nearby, as indicated by the operator. There was <br />no sacked ore at the mine or down at Vickers Ranch waiting for shipment. Ore is crushed at the level 6, and the crusher <br />was present but not operating. Other equipment noted there included a grizzly, diesel generator, compressor, and <br />underground mucker/hauler. Structures included office, dry/change, and storage. Level 3 is kept accessible, for purposes <br />of maintaining a secondary escapeway, and so that the operator is able to sort the accumulated debris (from former <br />operators) and remove it for offsite disposal. No ore is mined from or hauled out of the level 3 portal. <br />(OD) Off-site Damage: <br />Narrative: Permit boundary markers were in place and visible, and there was no disturbance outside the boundary. The <br />additional permitted areas added under Amendment AM-3 included the failed "blow-out" slope adjacent to the level 6 <br />waste dump. The reclamation plan approved under AM-3 requires the operator to repair the failed slope, by placement of <br />cribbing, riprap, or other suitable materials. This was not accomplished in 2009, and the permittee was informed it must <br />be done in 2010. It is still not done, and it is too late to perform this task this year. The blow-out area and the now- <br />unused lower portion of the earlier diversion ditch were inspected, and possible repairs were discussed onsite today. The <br />current onsite operator was not aware of the requirements of this task. Given that this is anew (as of 2010) onsite <br />operator and that he is performing other clean-up activities besides just mining activity, this office will allow a one-year <br />extension (till 2011) for the blow-out to be repaired. After 2011, if this feature is not reclaimed this may become a <br />Problem. <br />(RD) Roads: <br />Narrative: Roads were bermed where needed, and drainage was being maintained to function as designed. The operator <br />should be diligent to ensure that muck is not being plowed or cast over the slopes of the roads and pads. <br />(RS) Reclamation Success: <br />Narrative: Other than sorting and removing unapproved debris items from the level 3 dump, there has been no <br />reclamation performed. <br />(RV) Revegetation: <br />Narrative: Other than minor encroachment of volunteer vegetation to the crest and face of the level 6 waste dump, there <br />has been no revegetation. Since much of this site is south-facing, rocky, devoid of good soil, acidic, mineralized and at <br />high elevation, it is expected that establishment of adequate revegetation (as required under the approved reclamation <br />plan) may take a long time. It is in the operator's best interest to commence seeding activities sooner than later on those <br />areas that will not be redisturbed during future operations or in final reclamation. Please review the approved reclamation <br />seeding plan prior to commencing activity. There was no presence of noxious weeds noted. <br />(SD) Slides and Other Damage: <br />Narrative: See the discussion of repair of the blow-out, under "offsite damage." <br />(SW) Storm Water MGT Plan: <br />Narrative: Stormwater is adequately being controlled by practices and onsite structures. However, it was noted that the <br />lower unused portion of the earlier diversion ditch still exists, and though upland Deadman Gulch flows are no longer <br />conveyed to it (they are now intercepted by the inlet of the buried pipeline), it does still capture upland flows from the <br />slopes above it, and convey those to the unarmored slope below. It was discussed that the unused ditch be changed thus: <br />remove its geotextile liner material, pull up and replace the berm soil into the ditch to provide positive drainage across the <br />ditch, and utilize any excess soils for repairing the blow-out feature. The footprint of the filled ditch may then be used as <br />an access way to allow small equipment to repair the blow-out. <br />PHOTOGRAPHS <br />(Photos placed after addresses, below.) <br />Page 3 of 4