1990-05-10_REVISION - M1988112 (2)

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~, III'IIIIIIIII'll'II • '~+ G~'~ ~ ~ n ~ 1 1 ~ i ~'Fl`' I© I~Y~ h,,.. o~A,-.. ,~7t,RD COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH {Dater Quality Control Division - GJO INTER-OFFICE COMMUNICATION T0: Pat Nelson FROM: James B. Horn DATE: May 8, 1990 ~~ l- ~s"N 1~ SUBJECT: Inspection of Battle Mountain Gold Company, Costilla County I toured the proposed git mine on Wednesday, April 25, 1990, with Joel Lenz, Plant Superintendent, to investigate rumors of possible groundwater contamination. The people who complained stated that chemicals in drama were being dumped onto the ground and into pipes going into the ground. The facility can be divided into five parts, 1) present office trailers and old test heap site, 2) proposed mill site and tailings pile, 3) proposed west pit; 4) proposed east pit, and 5) the old Earth Sciences CN heap Mach site. 1. The office site contains some on site chemicals in small containers. Also, the old experimental heap is located in the center of the fenced area. 2. They are in the process of constructing the mill site, and tailings site. They propose to recycle process water for the gold extraction process, and do not intend to discharge either to surface or groundwater. Presently, a maintenance garage and new office buildings are constructed on site. Used oil and antifreeze are presently being stockpiled to be recycled. 3. The west pit is to be dewatered at a rate to allow dry excavation.. Thie water is "nontributary" and is of lower quality than the Rito Seco Creek. This water is to be used at the mill. The west pit also will 6e the closest to the Creek. 4. The east pit apparently does not need to be dewatered. This pit is considerably further from the Creek. 5. Battle Mountain Gold is going to remove the Earth Sciences lea^h pit to recover gold, and then reclaim this site.