2011-03-14_REVISION - M1977493 ‎(44)‎

• Permit No: M1977493
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 3/14/2011
• Doc Name: Exhibit List, Exs. 80 to 82
• From: Climax
• To: MLRB
• Type & Sequence: AM6
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

CM0001993
Introduction
On August 5, 1993, Climax Mine and The Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) met to
discuss the Climax Mine and Mill Preliminary Ground Water Monitoring Plan. It was agreed that
the Preliminary Ground Water Monitoring Plan would be followed in order to develop five
quarters of monitoring data and additional requested information. The Division felt this
monitoring plan would provide adequate data to evaluate a 3rd quarter, 1995 Technical
Revision if proven necessary. This meeting was summarized in a August 31, 1993 letter from
Jay Jones, Environmental Manager of Colorado Operations for Climax Molybdenum Company,
to Bruce Humphries, Supervisor - Minerals Program, DMG.
While an Interim Narrative Standard for ground water quality, applicable statewide, was
established by the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) on January 31, 1994, DMG is
now the regulatory authority for ground water at mine sites in Colorado. The Interim Narrative
Standard adopted by DMG dictates that permit conditions and points of compliance be
established for operations that may affect the quality of ground water which has not been
classified by the WQCC.
On June 6, 1995, Allen Sorenson of the DMG met with representatives from Climax
Molybdenum Company to discuss the establishment of a ground water monitoring program at
the Climax Mine. This meeting outlined the need for, and substance of, a technical revision in
order to comply with the Interim Narrative Standard for ground water quality.
•
This document serves as the Climax Mine Ground Water Monitoring Plan submitted as a
technical revision to the Climax Mine Reclamation Permit No. M-77-493. •
The Climax Mine has a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP), Environmental Protection
Plan (EPP) and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures and Materials Containment Plan
(SPCC) in effect. These plans provide additional information which augment the information
presented herein for the Climax Mine Ground Water Monitoring Plan. The SWMP (W.W.
Wheeler, 1995), EPP (S.M. Stoller, 1995), and SPCC (S.M. Stoller, 1995) are therefore
included by reference.
Site Description
The Climax molybdenum mine is located in the Tenmile Mining District in Summit, Lake, Eagle
and Park Counties of Colorado. The mine site includes an open pit mine, underground mine
workings, mill/crusher facilities, associated tailings impoundments, and water control facilities.
The mine is located along the Continental Divide. The terrain at the site is mountainous with
elevations ranging from approximately 10,800 feet above mean sea level (msl) in the vicinity of
the mine to more than 14,000 feet msl on nearby mountain peaks. Weather conditions can be
severe at the mine, with temperatures ranging from -20°F to mid-70°F and an annual average
snowfall of 272 inches. Annual precipitation over a ten year average is 25 inches (74% by
snowpack).
Within the site there are three primary surface water and ground water drainages: the Arkansas •
River Valley, Eagle River Valley, and Tenmile Creek valley. The mine and mill are located at