2003-03-24_REPORT - M1977493 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Engineering Construction Report for No. 7 Shaft Cap at Climax Mine by Ellis Environmental Engineering, Inc., February 2003 1.0 Introduction and Background Engineering Construction Report for No. 7 Shaft Reinforced Concrete Cap Climax Mine Highway 91 Climax, Colorado 80429 Climax Molybdenum Company (Climax) capped the No. 7 Shaft at the Storke Area in the summer of 1996. This effort was a part of Climax's ongoing reclamation and closure activities that were focused on the Storke Area in the mid- 1990's. In the spring of 1996 Climax contacted Mr. Richard Gresham, P.E. of Ram Engineering to conduct a conceptual design for the capping of No. 7 Shaft, whereupon Gresham submitted several options to Climax Mine for consideration. These options included, but were not limited to: (1) a concrete plug extending down 12 feet from the collar, (2) a thin concrete diaphram [cap], and (3) a concrete cast -in -place cap overlying a series of W8 x 31 steel I- beams and bridge decking. After considerations for ease of construction, public safety, length of construction season remaining, and cost, Climax decided to select option (3). Ram Engineering was selected as the turnkey contractor to perform the design and construction of the No. 7 Shaft. Using Ram Engineering Drawing Number 181 -A, dated June 30, 1996, as the basis for design, the actual construction took place July - September of 1996. Prior to capping the shaft, several buildings were demolished including the fan building, the shaft turning vanes, and the compressor building. Ram Engineering charged Climax a construction fee, but also earned the salvage rights to demolition materials, according to discussions with Mr. Gresham. The author personally examined the site on three occasions (August 1, August 14, and September 17, 1996) during the construction, although not formally assigned as the project engineer. A number of photographs documenting construction were taken by Mr. Bryce Romig (Climax Environmental Manager) and the author. These photographs are included in Appendix 1. 2.0 Concerns Climax requested a reduction in the surety bond from the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) for the No. 7 Shaft in 2000, based on the fact that the shaft had successfully been capped and closed in the summer of 1996. During the surety reduction inspection in 2000 at Climax Mine, representatives of DMG noted that there were several administrative items that needed to be addressed. 3.0 Objective and Purpose The objective of this engineering report is to provide the necessary data and engineering demonstration that No. 7 Shaft has been capped in accordance with good engineering practices and will meet DMG's concerns. 1