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PERMIT #: M- 1978 - 091 -UG <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: RCO <br />INSPECTION DATE: July 22, 2011 <br />Hydrologic Balance: <br />There was no seepage observed from the face of the cut above the sump on the main gulch at the south end <br />of the 6 level pad. There was a little water impounded in that sump and the sump on the nearby secondary <br />gulch. No drainage was observed flowing in the lined channel along the edge of the pad. There was very little <br />impounded water on the 6 level pad and no runoff flows going down the new buried pipeline or limestone <br />channel. The toe of the dump face was dry, with no springs or seeps expressed there. The riprapped channel <br />below the sediment pond did have a trickle of water ( +1- 0.5 gpm) issuing from a section of PVC pipe placed <br />there for collecting water samples. The rocks in the lower channel are stained orange, but most were dry. <br />The operator needs to remove sediment from the sediment pond to ensure it retains its designed capacity. <br />The site of the slope failure below the 6 level dump has been more or less repaired. The operator has placed <br />numerous timbers in a rough random fashion on the slope. It is not clear yet if this will begin to catch rocks <br />and soil that may still be eroding. This feature will be inspected next year to see if the slope is becoming <br />stable, and if it is not, more remedial work may be needed. <br />The berm at the crest of the 6 level pad behind the storage building allows for pad drainage to flow down the <br />slope near the limestone channel. The drainage path is clearly evident, showing that the runoff is not being <br />controlled and diverted to the limestone riprap, but is being allowed to flow down the access trail and erode <br />it. The operator needs to promptly construct better stormwater control at the top of the slope, to either <br />direct the water into the grated inlet of the buried pipeline or into the top of the limestone -lined channel. <br />General Compliance With Mine Plan: <br />Ore that is brought out of the 6 level portal is stockpiled on the pad, and allowed to dry before crushing it for <br />bagging. There were several small stockpiles of ore drying onsite, with tarps placed nearby to cover them <br />against precipitation. The crusher was present but not running. There were no filled sacks of ore on the 6 <br />level. (There were no sacks of ore at Vickers Ranch either, as that activity was curtailed recently; a different <br />ore sack storage area was established at the north end of Lake City.) <br />The operator hauls muck and debris up to the 3 level dump for disposal. The 3 level dump consists of two <br />benches. The dumped materials cannot be placed carelessly or they may be unstable and move farther down <br />the hill. It has been observed during past inspections that the operator has cleaned up much of the junk left <br />by former operators, which can help improve the stability and conforms to the approved plan. Observations <br />during this inspection show that the operator has dumped more mine - related wood and metal debris and <br />mine muck from the upper bench. Wood and metal debris, and other forms of trash, must bnot be dumped <br />here. The dumping of materials from the upper bench of the 3 level is resulting in debris items perched on the <br />slopes where they could fall, and a mass of unconsolidated muck at the edge of the upper bench that shows <br />stress cracks indicating potential failure. Since placement of muck on the 3 level will be permanent, it must be <br />performed well the first time: it should be backfilled from the lower level, or if it is dumped from the upper <br />level, it must be pulled down to the lower bench and graded and compacted, to prevent mass wasting and <br />possible violation for offsite damage. Temporary placement of wood and ferrous debris may occur, but it <br />must not be in low or wet locations. The recent debris must be removed. <br />Borrowing of clean fill material from the upper edge of the 3 level continues, as material is needed. It is still <br />within the permitted area boundary, but the operator must not over - excavate (too close to the boundary or <br />too steep). Please be aware of the boundary location and leave sufficient material in order to be able to grade <br />the slope for reclamation. <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />