ENFORCE24939

• Permit No: M1988112
• IBM Index Class Name: Enforcement
• Doc Date: 4/5/1992
• Doc Name: WATER QUALITY MONITORING INADEQUACIES BATTLE MTN GOLD MINE PN M-88-112
• From: MLRD
• To: LARRY D OEHLER
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION
Department of Natural Resources
7313 Sherman SI.. Room 215
Denver. CO 80203
303 866-3567
Fn x: 303 832-8106
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Ray Romer.
Governor
Michael B. Long,
Division Direnor
DATE: April 5, 1992
T0: Larry D. Oehler ~
FROM: Jim Pendleton ~-~'~~"
RE: Water Quality Monitor' Inadequacies - Battle Mountain Gold Mine
ermit No: M-88-112)
As a component of acquainting myself with the Battle Mountain Gold (~BMG) mine
and tailings area status, I examined the existing permit documents, 'onitoring
requirements, and the 1989, 1990 and 1991 annual reports. My preli inary
conclusion is that the water quality monitoring evidenced by the ann al
reports and the lack of separate data reports appears to be inadequate to
satisfy the monitoring commitments contained in the amended permit.
As a portion of their adequacy review of the Permit Amendment in 198, BMR was
required to prepare and submit a summary of monitoring requirements or the
amended permit. Under the subheading "2.2 Disposal Area and EmbankMent
System", the monitoring summary states that:
"Monitoring of the flow site and quarterly sampling of th~
seepage from the drain system at the base of the tailings will
be performed. A plot of the rate of seepage over time will be
maintained and compared to the predicted rate. Chemical
analysis of the collection pond seepage on a quarterly basis for
the parameters identified in Table G.l-2 of the approved permit)
will be performed. In addition, the leak detection system of
the collection pond will be monitored for any water weekly
during initial six month start-up and monthly thereafter."
Further, under the subheading "3.0 Reporting Requirements", the monitoring
summary states that:
"The data collected as part of the tailings monitoring program
will be compiled into an annual report for submittal to the
MLRD."
"Surface and groundwater
compiled and evaluated as part
As part of the apprcved permit
monitoring results will be
of the project's annual report.
BMR committed to monitoring
groundwater in wells adjacent to the heap leach facility on a
monthly basis and submitting the results as they became
available. This program will be applied to the tailings