Laserfiche WebLink
OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M -1992 -102 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: GRM <br />INSPECTION DATE: September 27, 2011 <br />This inspection was conducted as part of pending enforcement action by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, <br />Mining, and Safety (Division) for failure to maintain a reclamation bored in good standing. This inspection is to <br />note current conditions to estimate the reclamation liability should the current reclamation bond be forfeited. <br />The South D -20 Pit is a 112c permit, south of Montrose, Colorado. Shauna Hovey, Western Gravel's <br />representative, accompanied the inspector on site. <br />The mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers are in place and in compliance with Rule <br />3.1.12. The sign is located at the entrance to the site. Perm t boundary markers were noted as the mesa <br />edge, t -posts and fencing. <br />The 2011 Annual report and others note reclamation of a portion of the permit area on the south end. Visual <br />observations versus what is represented on the map note some issues. There is some undisturbed land at the <br />entrance to the site and some minor grading beyond but there is little that can be accepted as meeting <br />approved reclamation plan standards. <br />The other issue with the 2011 report is the map depict only disturbance within what is considered Phase II. <br />The entire area noted as the processing area in Phase 1 and Phase II are disturbed. Overall, it appears that <br />most of the 51 acres of approved as affected lands are disturbed at this time. Very little materials appear to <br />be left to mine. There are a highwalls noted along the southern pit edge, around the power pole exclusion <br />area, and at the north end of the disturbance. The inspector" notes numerous piles of processed materials <br />located on the pit floor in both Phases. An accurate estimate of the tons on the ground will take extensive <br />surveys and calculations. However, a ball park figure is in the neighborhood of 75,000 to 90,000 tons. The <br />operator's representative did not have an estimate on the stockpile tonnages. The inspector noted a loader <br />and backhoe on site. The loader was parked by a stockpile that appeared to have been worked recently. No <br />fuels or mining related debris were observed. 1 <br />To reclaim the site highwalls need to be reduced to 3:1. Visual berms along the east need to be knocked down <br />to daylight the pit edge. Sloping of the west edge of the permit area needs to be completed. All stockpiles <br />need to be knocked down or removed. Pit floors need to be ripped, topsoil replaced, and seeding done for all <br />51 acres. <br />The commitment for concurrent reclamation and to reclaim Phase 1 prior to moving into Phase II per Page 6 <br />and 7 of the Conversion Application in 1995 and the approved reclamation plan has not been kept. The lack of <br />reclamation affects the reclamation liability extensively. <br />Under normal conditions, the Division would list the lack of reclamation as a Problem and require a Technical <br />Revision (TR) to the Mining and Reclamation Plans to adjust for the total disturbance. The TR would require a <br />reclamation liability update to cover the total disturbance of the permit area. The inaccurate Annual Report is <br />another issue that would be listed as a problem as well with corrective actions. However, based on the <br />circumstances, the Division will calculate the reclamation liability for, the current conditions as part of the <br />pending enforcement action. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />