1992-04-05_REVISION - M1988112 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: M1988112
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 4/5/1992
• Doc Name: WATER QUALITY MONITORING INADEQUACIES BATTLE MOUNTAIN GOLD MINE PN M-88-112
• From: MLRD
• To: LARRY D OEHLER
• Type & Sequence: TR3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

~= •-~ III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII` M ~
STATE O~ COLORADO
MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION of ~a~
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Department of Natural Resouroes Q ~.,.+
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t313 Sherman St., Room 215 {~r~o ~
Denver. C080203 ~, ~,~""„ -.fir
303 866-3567 'rate'
rnx:303 832-8106
Roy Romer,
Gavemor
Michael B Long,
Division Director
DATE: April 5, 1992
T0: Larry D. Oehler
~-~
FROM: Jim Pendleton ~ ~`~
RE: Water Qual'ty Monitor' Inadequacies - Battle Mountain Gold Mine
Permit 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, monitoring
requirements, and the 1989, 1990 and 1991 annual reports. My preliminary
conclusion is that the water quality monitoring evidenced by the annual
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 1989, BMR was
required to prepare and submit a summary of monitoring requirements for 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 the
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.1-2 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 monitoring results will be
compiled and evaluated as part of the project's annual report.
As part of the approved permit 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