fs.ogm.utah.gov city field... · web view2008/09/16 · view, looking south, of site d, which is...

BLM Cedar City Field Office Site Inspection Report Sept. 17, 2008 File: UTU-82069 Gold Springs Exploration Project Astral Mining Company Inspector: Ed Ginouves, CCFO Mining Engineer On Sept. 16, 2008, I conducted an inspection of the Gold Springs Exploration project. The exploration target is vein and disseminated gold/silver in the Gold Springs District. The NOI for the project was originally received in April, 2005 and an acknowledgement letter sent in June, 2005, the delay being due to seasonal access restrictions and the need to complete a cultural resources survey. The original project proposed the drilling of up to 19 sites (two of which are in Nevada) and building up to 7,800’ of new access trails. The project was amended in March, 2006 to move site K, and the amendment was acknowledged in April, 2006. During the 2006 field season 13 of the sites were prepped for drilling and 8 of the sites were drilled. In July, 2008, Astral Mining amended the notice to add another five sites, one of which was later dropped. Approval for the amendment work was provided in August, 2008. Just before prepping the new sites, Astral carried out earthwork reclamation on all previously disturbed ground, with the exception of trail section needed to access the amended sites. The reclamation bond was increased from $17,000 to $24,080 to cover the amendment 2 sites. The current project geologist, Steve Jones, had indicated that the amendment 2 drilling work would be underway by mid-Sept. the weather was sunny and mild. Site conditions were very dry. Inspection Notes: I was disappointed to find that drilling equipment had yet to be mobilized to the project area. I visited each of the four amendment 2 drill sites and found a single 10’ by 10’ by 6’ deep mud sump dug at each site, this being the only prep work needed as the drill sites were either on an older unreclaimed drill pad or sited along an existing trail. The mitigation measures requested by the archeologist and wildlife biologist were adhered to; site C was moved ~100’ to the north and any access improvement along the existing trail to sites B & C were very minor and avoided impacting any riparian vegetation. No widening of either existing trail to sites B & C

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Page 1: fs.ogm.utah.gov City Field... · Web view2008/09/16 · View, looking south, of site D, which is located on an unreclaimed drill site that likely dates from the 1980’s. Mud sump

BLM Cedar City Field OfficeSite Inspection Report

Sept. 17, 2008

File: UTU-82069Gold Springs Exploration ProjectAstral Mining Company

Inspector: Ed Ginouves, CCFO Mining Engineer

On Sept. 16, 2008, I conducted an inspection of the Gold Springs Exploration project. The exploration target is vein and disseminated gold/silver in the Gold Springs District.

The NOI for the project was originally received in April, 2005 and an acknowledgement letter sent in June, 2005, the delay being due to seasonal access restrictions and the need to complete a cultural resources survey. The original project proposed the drilling of up to 19 sites (two of which are in Nevada) and building up to 7,800’ of new access trails. The project was amended in March, 2006 to move site K, and the amendment was acknowledged in April, 2006. During the 2006 field season 13 of the sites were prepped for drilling and 8 of the sites were drilled.

In July, 2008, Astral Mining amended the notice to add another five sites, one of which was later dropped. Approval for the amendment work was provided in August, 2008. Just before prepping the new sites, Astral carried out earthwork reclamation on all previously disturbed ground, with the exception of trail section needed to access the amended sites.

The reclamation bond was increased from $17,000 to $24,080 to cover the amendment 2 sites. The current project geologist, Steve Jones, had indicated that the amendment 2 drilling work would be underway by mid-Sept. the weather was sunny and mild. Site conditions were very dry.

Inspection Notes: I was disappointed to find that drilling equipment had yet to be mobilized to the project area. I visited each of the four amendment 2 drill sites and found a single 10’ by 10’ by 6’ deep mud sump dug at each site, this being the only prep work needed as the drill sites were either on an older unreclaimed drill pad or sited along an existing trail. The mitigation measures requested by the archeologist and wildlife biologist were adhered to; site C was moved ~100’ to the north and any access improvement along the existing trail to sites B & C were very minor and avoided impacting any riparian vegetation. No widening of either existing trail to sites B & C and D& E was carried out.

I inspected the earthwork reclamation carried out in August; the work conducted to date matches that depicted on Astral map (in green) provided in support of the amendment 2 work. The earthwork reclamation was carried out with a trackhoe and is very satisfactory. The reclaimed surface is very rough and pitted and dead trees were pulled back onto the reclaimed surface. Photographs were taken and are attached.

Page 2: fs.ogm.utah.gov City Field... · Web view2008/09/16 · View, looking south, of site D, which is located on an unreclaimed drill site that likely dates from the 1980’s. Mud sump

UTU-82069: Gold Springs ProjectSept. 16, 2008

View, looking north from site D of amendment 2 of reclaimed new road section from original notice. This is representative of all the earthwork reclamation carried out so far and is judged to be of excellent quality.