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PERMIT #: M-1987-027 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: JLE <br />INSPECTION DATE: April 25, 2011 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a normal monitoring inspection of the Hardship Lode Quarry; Operated by Colorado Quarries, Inc. <br />This site is located approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Westcliffe, Colorado in Custer County. I, Jared Ebert <br />of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety conducted the inspection. Mr. Aaron Tezak of <br />Colorado Quarries, Inc. and Stephanie Carter of the Bureau of Land Management accompanied me on -the <br />inspection. <br />The mine identification sign was not posted at the entrance to the mine site. This issue is cited as a problem <br />at the beginning of the inspection report and will require the Operator to take corrective action. The entire <br />permit boundary was marked with posts, and the location of these posts were mapped using a Trimble GPS <br />unit. A map of the Division's findings is enclosed with this report. The site is split into two mining areas. The <br />Pit 1 area is located in the northwest half of the site. The current disturbance is located in the Pit 1 area. The <br />Pit 2 area is located in the southeast half of the site. This area has not been affected by the mining operation <br />at this time. <br />Approximately 10 acres appears to have been affected by the mining operation. A highwall is located near the <br />northwest boundary line. The highwall is about 15 to 25 feet high, and the slope of the highwall is nearly <br />vertical in most places. Topsoil has been stripped in advance of the operation. One pile of soil was recently <br />stripped and stockpile west of the highwall. An older stockpile is located along the eastern boundary of the Pit <br />1 area. The Operator was reminded they are required to seed the newly stripped stockpile of topsoil with <br />grasses to stabilize it from wind and water erosion when they move the material to the final storage area. <br />According to Mr. Tezak, they intend to move the recently stripped topsoil to the stockpile area along the <br />eastern boundary. The area south of the highwall is relatively flat and is used as a material stockpile area. <br />Large piles of crushed material and larger boulder rock piles are located in this area. <br />In accordance with Rule 3.1.12, at the entrance to the mine site, the Operator shall post a sign, which shall be <br />clearly visible from the access road with the following Information: <br />1. The name of the Operator <br />2. A statement that a reclamation permit for the operation has been issued by the Colorado Mined Land <br />Reclamation Board; and <br />3. The permit number (M-1987-027) <br />The Operator will need to post this sign at the entrance to the mine site in accordance with the above stated <br />rule and submit photographic documentation to the Division by the corrective action date listed at the <br />beginning of the inspection report. <br />Page 2 of 5