1985-10-23_INSPECTION - M1977378

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Potential Sludge Disposal Sites Tailings Pond No. 3 Standard Metals Corporation Silverton Operations Application for the use of the Tailings Pond No. 3 as a permanent insitu mine sludge disposal site. Rationale 1. The engineering office sludge disposal site has become inactive. 2. The immediate need to commence dredging of the American Tunnel sludge settling ponds to achieve winter compliance with effluent discharge limitations enforced by the Colorado Department of Health at the American Tunnel site. 3. The use of the currently non-operational but active No. 4 Tailings Pond site may significantly degrade the water quality for the effluent discharge limitations set by the CDH. Issues that still need to be addressed prior to disposal: 1. The analysis of mine sludges to assess potential for permanent disposal. 2. Analysis and methodology of standing water on the No. 3 site. (See enclosed memo: American Tunnel Sludge Disposal.) 3. Analysis of Tailing Pond No. 3 for permeability. Upon evlauation of the analysis issues mentioned above, the use of the No. 3 Tailings Pond site for a permanent insitu disposal site would adhere to the following guidelines: 1. The excavation and maintenance of adequate surface drainage control ditches (see surface drainage control plan, enclosed) . Contingency: The decanting of standing waters on the site to the Animas River: To monitor the effluent waters when discharged. 2. To pump standing waters to the active No. 4 Tailing Pond. 3. The insitu disposal of existing Town refuse on the northeast corner of the site. 4. To adhere, where feasible, to the guidelines and recommendations set forth in the April 28, 1976, Geotechnical Investigation of Tailings Pond No. 3 by F.M. Fox and Associates, Inc. , and the October 9, 1985, American Tunnel Sludge Disposal Report by Dave Moody.