2012-02-22_INSPECTION - M1981088

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PERMIT #: M -1981 -088 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: DMC INSPECTION DATE: February 22, 2012 OBSERVATIONS This inspection was conducted by the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division), in response to the Succession of Operators application (S02) submitted on January 6, 2012, in order to review and update the required amount of reclamation liability. An updated reclamation cost estimate is enclosed with this report. Pending approval of S02, the permit will be transferred from Lafarge West, Inc. to Bratton Enterprises, Inc. Jim Bratton and Travis Pinnt, representing the successor operator, were present during this inspection. Photographs are included with this report in order to illustrate some of the conditions observed during this inspection. The McCoy Pit is located approximately 4.1 miles northeast of McCoy and accessed from CR4a. The site is a 112c operation that includes a total of 73.7 permitted acres. The Division currently holds a financial warranty amount of $335,500.00 for this site. Adequate mine identification signage was noted at the entrance to the site in accordance with Rule 3.1.12(1). The affected area was marked by t -posts that were clearly visible and adequate to delineate the affected area boundary 3.1.12(2). The volcanic material is mined from this site by use of front end loaders and /or dozers. Blasting is not required. Mining was occurring in an area north of the office building, on the north side of the deposit, during this inspection. There was no readily discernable pattern to the mining which has occurred at this site, which has left most of the permit area disturbed. There is an insufficient amount of topsoil and overburden at the site to cover the entire disturbed area for final reclamation. This issue was addressed through AM2. Highwalls up to 80 feet high, with slopes ranging from 1 H:1 V to near vertical, were noted around the mined area north and east of the office building, in the red scoria deposit. Highwalls up to 40 feet high, along the north permit area in the black scoria deposit, were observed with slopes ranging from approximately 1 H:1 V to near vertical. The operation produces a large amount of screen undersized material that is stockpiled in various locations throughout the permit area that will be available for reclamation backfill. Stockpiled slopes were approximately 1 H:1 V and appeared stable. Reclamation of the site will require reduction of the mined slopes and existing stockpile slopes to 3H:1V to create a hummocky grade, removal of a section of railroad track located on the site, removal of the office building and other support facilities and equipment, ripping compacted areas and placement of available overburden, and revegetation. No problems or violations were noted during this inspection. Responses to this inspection report should be directed to Dustin Czapla at the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Grand Junction Field Office, 101 South 3rd Street, Room 301, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501, phone number (970) 243 -6299. Page 2 of 6