On the morning of Oct. 3, Alma Placer Mine operations resulted in the discharge of sediment into the Middle Fork of the South Platte River. At the Nov. 19 meeting of the Colorado Mine Land Reclamation Board, the mine was fined $48,000, with a penalty assessment reduced to $5,000, for violations of mining operations.
The mine operator, Jim Murray of High Mountain Mining, LLC, was informed by the CMRB on Oct. 16 that they believed wash water from pond four back-flowed through the fresh water intake pipe into the river.
The CMRB determined that the mine was in violation of statutes and regulations in regards to a discharge of sediment into the river. Sediment was discovered at Fairplay Beach and in other areas downstream from the mine.
