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OBSERVATIONS <br />PERMIT #: M- 2004 -021 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: MAC <br />INSPECTION DATE: December 13, 2011 <br />The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(Division). Clint Mehring and Jason Lockard of the Washington County Road and Bridge District were also <br />present for the inspection. The Starlin Pit is located approximately 4.8 miles south of Akron, Colorado. The site <br />is permitted for 160 acres and the post- mining land use is rangeland. The inspection of the Starlin Pit was <br />unscheduled and was conducted at the request of the Operator. The last regular monitoring inspection of the <br />site was conducted on January 28, 2009. <br />The Starlin pit is being mined in eight phases; each of the phases is 20 acres in size. Mining commenced in the <br />northeast corner, phase 3, of the site. The maximum allowed disturbed acreage is 25 acres. The Operator is to <br />begin reclamation on the back portion of the actively mined phase as mining progresses onto the next phase. <br />This allows the Operator to mine a 20 acre phase while still having 5 acres available for processing, lay down <br />and storage requirements. Prior to opening a new phase, the Operator is to grade the pit walls to 4H:1V, <br />replace topsoil, and reseed the disturbed area. As noted during the previous inspection, the operation is <br />nearing a total disturbance of 25 acres. <br />The overburden stockpile which was located along the eastern perimeter of the site has been removed; the <br />topsoil stockpile along the north side of the pit is still in place. The vegetation in the area where the <br />overburden stockpile was located consists primarily of annual weeds. The approved Reclamation Permit <br />contains a Weed Control Plan, which calls for mechanical or chemical treatment of noxious weeds. The <br />Operator informed the Division that the weeds will be controlled through mowing prior to seeding the area in <br />the spring. In addition, the Operator will need to replace the topsoil and seed phase 3 prior opening a new <br />phase. <br />During the inspection, the Operator inquired about changing the maximum allowed disturbed acreage for the <br />site. Typically operations are mined in phases as a way to reduce the financial liability associated with <br />reclamation. The Division does not require financial warranties where the Operator is a unit of a municipal or <br />county government. However, the Division does encourage timely completion of reclamation and has found <br />that a phased Mining and Reclamation Plan will significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to reclaim a <br />site at the end of the life of the mine. The Operator may revise their Mining and Reclamation Plan at anytime <br />by submitting a Technical Revision along with a fee of $216. <br />This concluded the inspection. <br />Inspection Contact Address <br />Clint Mehring <br />Washington County Dist. #3 <br />150 Ash Avenue <br />Akron, CO 80720 <br />Page 2 of 2 <br />