2013-04-19_REPORT - M1977004

• Permit No: M1977004
• IBM Index Class Name: REPORT
• Doc Date: 4/19/2013
• Doc Name: ANNUAL FEE/REPORT
• From: OPERATOR
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: RCO
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Pitch Reclamation Project Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board — 2012 Annual Reclamation Report
In August 2011, piezometers 1C10300 and IC10370 were replaced after several years of issues
associated with corrosion and silt buildup in the well casing making it difficult to get an accurate reading of
the phreatic surface in the Indian Creek rock dump. They were replaced with two new piezometers at
approximately the same locations as shown on Figure 3. The replacement piezometer IC10300R is
located approximately 30 feet to the west of the former location of IC10300. Piezometer 1C10370R is
located approximately 67 feet to the west of the former location of IC10370. More details on the
replacement piezometers were provided in a detailed report to the Division in October 2011.
The 2012 water level measurements showed a maximum differential following snow melt at or below that
of the past five years due to a reduced snow pack. Following the dry conditions of 2001 through 2003, the
seasonal variations had increased in recent years as heavier snow packs occurred. The 2012 water level
measurements showed a maximum differential following snow melt at or below that of the past five years
due to a reduced snow pack. Following the dry conditions of 2001 through 2003, the seasonal variations
had increased in recent years as heavier snow packs had occurred. The replacement of two piezometers
in the Indian Creek rock dump in 2011 has alleviated issues in monitoring the phreatic surface in the
Indian Creek rock dump. Homestake will continue to monitor and evaluate the cause and effect of any
seasonal spikes in the piezometric water levels, and also observe any changes in surface features of the
rock dumps. There continues to be no indication of concern related to instability or foundation phreatic
surfaces in either the Indian Creek or Tie Camp Creek rock dumps.
A more detailed discussion of the waste rock dumps was presented in the 2012 Annual Geotechnical
Report filed with the Division in December 2012.
4.6 Water Quality Monitoring
As outlined in TR4, Homestake has monitored water quality since 1994 to verify the intended
effectiveness of installation of the Pinnacle Adit plug. Water quality monitoring was conducted in 2012
including sampling points located at the North Pit Lake discharge (Sample Point NPL), the Tie Camp
Creek drainage (Sample Points TCCDRN and TCC), the site discharge POC (Sample Point SW -33), as
well as spring and seep surveys performed in the spring and fall. Monthly discharge- monitoring reports
(DMRs), pursuant to Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) number CO- 0022756, were submitted to
the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for 2012. Monitoring for the CDPS
was conducted at the designated POC SW -33, shown on Figure 3. Analytical tests conducted for the
DMRs at SW -33 consist of flow; dissolved radium 226; total radium 226/228; total uranium; pH; total
suspended solids (TSS); total dissolved solids; oil and grease (visual only); potentially dissolved zinc; and
whole effluent toxicity (WET). During 2012, all analytical results were below the CDPS permit's 30-day
average or daily maximum limitations and WET testing results were within permit limits. The 2012 DMRs
are on file with the CDPHE -Water Quality Control Division. Water quality monitoring will continue in 2013.
4.7 Radioactive Materials License
The RTP building, foundation and sediments excavated from the upper portion of Indian Creek below the
old RTP area were placed in the Tie Camp Disposal Cell in 2001. Final grading and revegetation of the
RTP area was started in 2002 and completed in 2003. With the removal of the RTP, the radioactive
source material and any treatment capacity have been removed. Small concentrations of the Radium
226 isotope remain in the sediment deposited upstream of the sediment control embankment. The
Radioactive Materials License (RML) for the Pitch Reclamation Project was last renewed in April 2008
and will be renewed in 2013. License renewal #14 allows Homestake to manage the Tie Camp Low -
Grade Stockpile and the sediment upstream of the sediment control embankment within the guidelines of
the license. A copy of the 2012 Annual RML letter report is provided in electronic Adobe Acrobat©
Portable Document Format on the CD attached to this report.
Pitch 2012 Reclamation Report 04-16-13 Doc
21