2013-03-14_REVISION - M1977342

• Permit No: M1977342
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 3/14/2013
• Doc Name: TR-14 MODIFICATION OF BARGE PUMP SYSTEM
• From: CLIMAX
• To: DRMS
• Type & Sequence: TR14
• Email Name: PSH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Climax Molybdenum COLORADO OPERATIONS
Mine d 68
Henderson Mine and Mill
A Freeport- McMoRan Company Empire, CO 80438
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
March 13, 2013
Certified Mail: 7006 2150 0001 8831 9391 RECEIVED
Mr. Peter Hays MAR 14 2011
Environmental Protection Specialist DIVISION OF WLAM fil@Y
1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 MININGAD §A&W
Denver, CO 80203
Re: Climax Molybdenum Company, Henderson Mill, Permit No. M- 1977 -342
Technical Revision No. 14, Modification of Barge Pump System
Dear Mr. Hays,
Climax Molybdenum Company (CMC) is hereby submitting this request for a modification to
Technical Revision 14 (TR -14) for the anticipated relocation of the existing Barge Pump Station
(BPS) at the Henderson Mill from its current location to approximately one mile to the north.
The BPS and associated infrastructure was approved by the DRMS under TR -14, and is also
included as an Environmental Protection Facility in the Henderson Operations Environmental
Protection Plan (TR -18). The BPS returns decanted water from the tailing impoundment to the
East Branch Reservoir, via a 26 -inch HDPE pipeline that follows the Ultimate Canal alignment
to the intersection of Ute Creek, then travels up and over a ridgeline into the East Branch
drainage, where it terminates at an energy- dissipation/bifurcation structure located on the
northwestern corner of East Branch Reservoir.
Under normal operating conditions, the BPS is periodically moved upgradient as tailing and
decant water pond levels increase over time. Recent deposition patterns and influx of fine
sediment load into the barge intake area at its current location, however, have created insufficient
draft -space and the potential to intake sediment -laden water. This scenario can impair the pumps
or cause premature wear due to increased abrasive characteristics of the water.
To address this, Henderson, in conjunction with W.W. Wheeler & Associates has developed the
attached plan to move the BPS approximately one mile to the north, which will require the
installation of 5,600 ft. of additional piping to a new barge channel, where the pump facility will
operate through the current anticipated life of mine. No major changes to the barge platform
itself will be made, and the BPS will continue to be maintained and operated as it is currently.
Additionally, power service lines will be extended from the existing location to the new location
and the existing transformer will be relocated to the upper extent of the barge channel.