2011-02-07_REVISION - M1983194 - Laserfiche WebLink

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??? r ASS STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY Department of Natural Resources 4--4C>_ 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866-3567 FAX: (303) 832-8106 February 7, 2011 R`Ccivsa FEB 09 2011 Bob Warneke Natural Soda, Inc. Division or Reclamatio Mining and n, S 3200 CR 31 ?tY Rifle, CO 81650 COLORADO D I V I S I ON OF RECLAMATION MINING SAFETY rno Gover Mike King Executive Director Loretta E. Pineda Director RE: Notice of Determination That File No. M-1983-194; Also known as Natural Soda, Inc., Nahcolite Project, is a Designated Mining Operation (DMO) -*"' Atq _D? Dear Mr. Warneke: As a result of a review of your operational conditions, to include: • pertinent site geology and geochemistry; • associated materials being or to be extracted; • extraction and processing operation plans and facilities design, and; • other applicable file documents; the Division has determined that your existing operation is a Designated Mining Operation (DMO). Specifically, this determination of DMO status is based on the following: Analyses of the pregnant nahcolite solution fi-onz the mining process confirm that the solution is high in total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, fluoride, boron, uranium and benzene which could cause material damage to surface and ground water quality and to soil, vegetation and wildlife if released to the environment. The process brines produced by Natural Soda's operation are considered to be toxic and could cause TDS, chloride, fluoride, boron, uranium and benzene water quality standards to be exceeded if released to an aquifer or a szaface stream and could potentially cause other standards to be exceeded due to the brine containing trace elements associated with accessory minerals in the saline minerals suite within the mining interval. This determination is made in conformance with the provisions of Rule 7.2 of the Minerals Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Hard Rock, Metal and Designated Mining Operations (Rules). If you agree with this determination, per Rule 7.2.3(1) you are required to notify the DRMS of your concurrence, by mail, within 30 days of the date of this notice and proceed to comply with the requirements of Rule 7.2.3(2) and (3). If you disagree with the Division's determination, per Rule 7.2.4, you must appeal this notice in writing, to the Division, within 30 days of the Notice date. Office of Office of Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines