1999-11-15_INSPECTION - M1977378

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Y i (Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-77-378 INSPECTION DATE 10/19/99 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE OBSERVATIONS This inspection occurred as part of DMG's routine monitoring plan for permitted operations. Larry Perino accompanied the DMG inspector throughout the inspection. The Sunnyside Mine is currently approved for 243.65 acres affected area. DMG holds $1 ,250,000 financial warranty. Operator has commenced final reclamation. On 10/19/99, DMG also inspected the Upland Hydrological Control Project, completed under the Consent Decree and Order, Case No. 94 CV 5459, as requested by WQCD. Observations made by DMG for the Upland Hydrological Control Project are recorded under a separate inspection report. American Tunnel Mine identification sign and affected area boundary markers were posted. Water treatment plant was intact and active. Operator indicated that sludge clean out for the treatment ponds was scheduled to occur in the immediate future. Cement Creek diversion was intact but not active, water from Cement Creek was not being diverted into the treatment plant during this inspection. Reclaimed mine dump area appeared stable, no evidence of slumping, sliding or excessive erosion observed. Drainage for the mine dump area is routed to constructed channels and treated for sediment by straw bails prior to leaving the site. Vegetative cover appeared diverse and well established for most portions of the reclaimed dump and wetland areas. Operator has applied composted cow manure to assist revegetation efforts. Stockpile of composted manure was located adjacent to the reclaimed dump area. Graded slopes of the mine bench, adjacent to Cement Creek channel, appeared stable, vegetative cover was becoming established. Buildings, facilities and access roads were well maintained. Mogul Tunnel The upper basin of the Cement Creek drainage was inspected in response to operator's 10/13/99 report of elevated discharge levels from the Mogul Tunnel. Water was flowing in established drainage channels throughout the Cement Creek upper drainage basin and in other basins in the region. Flowing water was evident in some ephemeral channels, which typically flow only during spring melt or as a immediate result of precipitation. Discharge was observed from most of the mine openings, even relatively shallow holes, throughout the region. One of the discharging collapsed portals was identified by the operator as the Upper Mogul. The Upper Mogul is monitored by the operator as site M-3, as part of SGC's spring and seep survey. Operator indicated that the present discharge levels from M-3 are unusually high for the fall season. Surface drainage was observed entering pre-law stopes and mine openings, located above and possibly connected to the Mogul Tunnel. The area received heavy precipitation throughout August '99 but has not received significant precipitation in recent weeks. Quantity of runoff observed throughout the drainage basin, and in other basins in the region, appeared more consistent with spring melt rather than those typically observed during the dry fall season. Discharge from the Mogul Tunnel appeared similar to the levels measured on 10/1/99 and reported by the operator on 10/13/99 (approximately 140 gpm). Depth of mine drainage was sufficient to overtop the flume previously constructed to measure discharge. Mogul Tunnel discharge is contained in a lined ditch and diverted around most of the Mogul waste dump.