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STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman St, Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (303) 866-3567 <br />FAX: (303) 832106 <br />May 26, 2004 <br />Dave Schneck <br />Director, Environmental Health Department <br />San Miguel County <br />P.O. Box 4130 <br />Telluride, CO 81435 <br />COLORADO <br />DIVISION O F <br />MIN SRALS <br />GEOLOGY <br />0.ECLA MATIO N•MINING <br />SAFETY•s<IENCE <br />Bill Owens <br />Governor <br />Russell George <br />Executive Dlrec[or <br />Ronald W. Cattany <br />Division Director <br />Natural Resource Trustee <br />~,i <br />Re: Idazado Mine, Permit No. M-1977-403 HR, Importing Offsite Materials into Permitted Area. <br />Deaz Mr. Schneck, <br />Mr. Bill Lyle, representing Idarado Mining Co., the permittee of the above-named permitted mining <br />operation, contacted me recently in regard to a proposed activity that may occur at or near the Pandora <br />mill site. The activity involves importing old tailings material that was used for bedding pipes laid in an <br />area that formerly contained mine personnel housing. The tailings originated from the Pandora Mill at a <br />time prior to the issuance of this permit (captioned above). <br />Mr. Lyle briefly explained the proposed activity to me, as follows: the operator wishes to remove pre-law <br />tailings from an area that lacks adequate containment on land they own, which is outside of the permitted <br />azea. It is to be hauled and placed for proper, permanent disposal at the Pandora mill site. The mill site is <br />within the permitted area, and as such, is one of the onsite features that is required to be reclaimed. The <br />tailings will be placed with other mill-related materials that will originate in the final reclamation of the <br />mill. The tailings will be characterized upon excavation, and temporarily stored near the mill before final <br />placement. The extent of the excavation will be guided by the need for complete removal of the materials <br />meeting specific criteria. <br />The Hard Rock and Metals Rules and Regulations allow for the importing of materials generated offsite, <br />in certain circumstances. Pursuant to Rule 3.1.5(9), an operator may file with this office a notice of <br />proposed importing of offsite materials. The operator must provide all pertinent details of the material: <br />source, characterization, and volume. The notice also is to include where the material is to be moved, <br />how it is to be handled, If there is an inherent contaminant in the material, the operator must adequately <br />describe how it will be managed or disposed. There will be certain information that is normally part of <br />such a notice that is not yet known. The operator's proposal must include, therefore, an adequate plan for <br />the testing, handling, and management of the materials, as well as ensure that the proposed plan fits the <br />approved final reclamation. The present permit and the rules and regulations include the necessary <br />mechanisms for such a proposal from the operator, and defines the Division's jurisdiction and role in this <br />situation. <br />Office of Office of Colorado <br />