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INSPECTION REPORT - PAGE 2 <br /> FILE NO. 77-378 <br /> DATE: July 10, �985 <br /> OBSERVATIONS OF IMPORTANCE: <br /> 1 . The inspectors were accompanied by Mr. Doug Murray during the <br /> inspection. Prior to the field inspection mine activities and annual <br /> report maps were reviewed. It was discussed that at the present time, <br /> Mr. Murray is in charge of the mine, he was the only staff member <br /> retained along with 9 mine guards after a recent lay-off. <br /> American Tunnel Portal Area <br /> 2. This site was inspected. This site consists of the tunnel and <br /> associated facilities, a water treatment facility with four ponds, a <br /> tailings and pond-sludge disposal area and a waste rock dump. <br /> 3. This site is located at the confluence of the North Fork and the South <br /> Fork of Cement Creek. It is evident that water quality in these creeks <br /> above and below the site is poor. In general , drainage control at this <br /> site is poor. Upland diversion of undisturbed runoff is inadequate. It <br /> was discussed that use of the existing roads may be used for controlling <br /> drainage if properly graded. See Recommendation No. 1 . <br /> 4. The water treatment facility was not in operation at the time of this <br /> inspection. Untreated mine waters were being routed through the ponds <br /> and then discharged into the North Fork of Cement Creek. Mr. Murray <br /> stated that the Colorado Department of Health was aware of this <br /> situation. The four water treatment ponds are constructed adjacent to <br /> the North Fork of Cement Creek. Pond embankment/stream channel bank <br /> stability was discussed. It was discussed that riprapping and <br /> reinforcing the pond embankments on the stream channel side may be <br /> needed to increase stability. <br /> 5. Sludge from these ponds was originally disposed of in an old tailings <br /> disposal pond. This site was approved in the permitted plan and appears <br /> that with adequate maintenance could be a good location for disposal . <br /> The sludge is rich in iron, and would be considered acid and toxic <br /> forming. This sludge has also been disposed in an unapproved area <br /> adjacent to the Animas River, this location will be discussed later in <br /> this report. No samples of the sludge were taken by the Mined Land <br /> Reclamation Division. See Recommendation No. 2. <br /> 6. The waste rock dump has been constructed with little engineering <br /> concern. It is apparently constructed in a swampy area with no rock <br /> drains. In addition, it appears as though some sludge material has been <br />