ARC - Updates / June 4, 2021
Nick Peterson
Project Manager
201 Helios Way #6-392
Houston, TX 77079
(713) 998-2443 cell
June 4, 2021
Mr. Jeryl R. Gardner – via electronic mail
Supervisor, Abandoned Mine Lands Branch
Nevada Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Corrective Actions
901 S. Stewart St., Ste. 4001
Carson City, NV 89701
Subject:
Annual 2020 Status Report, Anaconda Copper Mine Site, Lyon County,
Nevada: Interim Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on
Consent for (i) Remedial Design/Remedial Action
Dear Mr. Gardner:
Pursuant to Paragraphs 55 and 75 of the above referenced IAOC (effective as of February 5, 2018),
Atlantic Richfield Company (ARC) has prepared this Annual Status Report for RD/RA activities at the
Anaconda Copper Mine Site (Site) from January 2020 to December 2020. This annual report
supplements and summarizes the quarterly reports for combined sitewide activities (FMS, RI/FS,
RD/RA) that were submitted to NDEP in 2020. Information related to the FMS Pond construction in
2020 was also provided periodically as construction progressed.
1.0
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Major Response Activities Completed
Completed construction of five supplemental FMS Ponds including
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VLT Heap Pond; Slot Heap Pond; Phase I/II Heap Pond (Burch Pond); and Phase III
South and 4X Heap Ponds (Ponds D and E)
Completed extensive improvements to the FMS draindown channels including addition of
new liner, drain rock, piping, sumps, vaults, and flow monitoring equipment.
Completed electrical upgrades at newly constructed ponds (except Burch Pond) to support
bird deterrents and leak detection equipment.
Submitted CMU 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 FMS Record of Construction Summary Report on August
21, including as-built drawings and QC records.
Provided OU8 Peripheral Areas (ROD 1A) Proposed Plan on August 19.
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Published for stakeholder review
Solicited construction subcontract bids for planned ROD 1 Heap Regrade and Cap
implementation
Mr. Jeryl R. Gardner
Anaconda Copper Mine Site Annual Status Report
June 4, 2021
Page 2
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7 firms submitted bids
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Reviewed technical and commercial proposals
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Short-listed to three firms
Finalized permitting with NV Energy and Lyon County for upgrades to the electrical service
at the new Burch Pond FMS facility
Installed security fencing, gates, and concrete protective railing around the Burch Pond
Conducted an engineering assessment of Burch Drive bridge to determine load limits
Initiated discussions and early conceptual designs for a new Weed Heights wastewater
treatment facility
Conducted a field-scale test of soil stabilization products at the South Waste Rock Area
(SWRA)
Applied for and received a temporary discharge monitoring permit (TNS-48362) allowing
us to conduct a pump test on well WW36
Installed a new automated access gate from Luzier Lane.
Conducted cultural resource monitoring in coordination with Tribal monitors throughout
construction.
Received Water Rights permit (Nos. 88982 and 88983) which moved Atlantic Richfield’s
point of diversion to the onsite well WW36.
2.0
Summary of Testing
The results of quality control (QC) testing and measurement conducted during the 2020 RD/RA
activities conducted are provided in:
CMU 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Fluid Management System, Record of Construction Report, Anaconda
Copper Mine Site ROD 1 RD/RA, Lyon County, NV (August 7, 2020).
3.0
Other Deliverables
In the 4th Quarter of 2020, the following DRAFT report was distributed for review and comment:
Anaconda Copper Mine Site Cultural Resource Monitoring Report for 2019 Tasks, Anaconda
Copper Mine Site, Yerington, Lyon County, Nevada
4.0
2021 RD/RA Objectives
In 2021, the following tasks are planned for the ROD 1 RD/RA implementation at ACMS.
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Select construction sub-contractor and finalize Agreement
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Initiate training and planning
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Complete necessary submittals and permits
Mr. Jeryl R. Gardner
Anaconda Copper Mine Site Annual Status Report
June 4, 2021
Page 3
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Develop schedule and work sequencing
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Order long-lead items (liner)
Complete power supply connection to the Burch Pond
Develop plans for local participation, economic benefit analysis
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Coordinate with EPA on JTI program
Mobilize construction equipment and personnel week of 14 June 2021
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Early activities to include drilling and blasting of W3 highwall and minor
demolition
Coordinate need for Class III landfill waiver
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VLT vault, megapond, SX/EW
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Screen specific buildings for hazmat
Establish haul roads
Begin grading and wing liner installation
Begin stormwater facilities construction
Complete design and permit for new Weed Heights Wastewater Treatment Ponds
Initiate design for closure of 4-Acre Pond (Pond A)
Begin diversion of FMS draindown to new FMS Ponds as necessary to manage flow
containment
5.0
Estimate of 2021 Costs
The projected cost to be incurred in 2021 for non-FMS RD/RA activities is estimated at $10
million. The projected 2021 costs for FMS O&M is estimated to be $1.3M.
6.0
RDRA Work Plan Modifications
The primary modification to ROD 1 RD/RA for 2021 will include the use of explosives to knock
down a section of the W3 highwall prior to the use of dozers for final grading. A contractor
(WESCO) has preparing a drilling and blasting plan that will involve drilling approximately 470
borings (approx. 5,100 drill footage) in three rows on a bench located on the south side of the
W3 high wall. The high wall will be detonated in two sections, each about 590 feet in length.
The blasting will require roughly 70,000 lbs of prilled ammonium nitrate (ANFO).
An extensive community notification protocol has been established, along with in-person
notifications of landowners within a 1,500-foot blast radius. Seismometers will be used at
varying distances within the blast radius to monitor ground velocity. Wood geotechnical and
mining engineers will be on site throughout the drilling and blasting program to inspect and
monitor the bench area for cracking and deformation, and to verify that the blasting achieved
objectives prior to further grading of the slope using dozers. The work is expected to be
completed during the first two weeks of June 2021.
Mr. Jeryl R. Gardner
Anaconda Copper Mine Site Annual Status Report
June 4, 2021
Page 4
7.0
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Community Relations
Public meetings are conducted once or twice per year depending upon site activities.
Community impact activities include: Use of local construction contractor(s)
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High Mark Construction (Elko, NV)
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Desert Engineering (Yerington, NV)
Use of local material suppliers
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Agru for liner (Fernley, NV)
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Desert Engineering for quarry materials (Yerington, NV)
Use of local fuel supplier
Use of local lodging – Weed Heights and Yerington
Advertisement for local labor / operators
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Plan for advertisements in Reno and Lyon county publications.
Community notification of blasting activities
Please contact me at (281) 886-4530 or via e-mail at Nick.Peterson@bp.com if you have any
questions or comments about this Annual 2020 status report.
Sincerely,
Nick Peterson
Project Manager
Attachment
cc:
Nathan Block, Atlantic Richfield Company – via electronic mail
Brian Johnson, Atlantic Richfield Company – via electronic mail
Travis Phelps, Arcadis – via electronic mail
Patrick Keller, Arcadis – via electronic mail
Adam Cohen, Davis Graham & Stubbs – via electronic mail
Sandy Riese, EnSci, Inc. – via electronic mail
Craig Weber, Wood – via electronic mail
Chuck Frey, Wood – via electronic mail
Jeff Collins, NDEP – via electronic mail
Mr. Jeryl R. Gardner
Anaconda Copper Mine Site Annual Status Report
June 4, 2021
Page 5
Kurt Miers, BLM – via electronic mail
Taurus Massey, Singatse Peak Services, LLP – via electronic mail
Dante Rodriguez, EPA – via electronic mail
Lyon County Library System Central – CD