Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action
The surrounding terrain is hilly and the ground surface rocky. The goal of reclamation was to
return the topography at each of the vent shaft pads to a condition similar to that of the premining
natural topography. The challenge was to establish natural grades while limiting
disturbance to stable slopes and vegetated areas. Backfilled soils were then placed on the
reclaimed areas, compacted, and graded. The reclaimed areas were then revegetated by
conditioning the soils (adding mulch, compost, and an organic fertilizer) and reseeding the areas.
The seed mix selected for the site was formulated specifically for this arid desert region to
establish plant life as quickly as possible, as well as achieve long-term growth and survival in a
highly erosive setting. The seed mixture (applied at a rate of 17.12 lbs/acre) was mixed with a
granular Mycorrhizae (applied at a rate of 20 lbs/acre) before being hand broadcast. The
revegetation monitoring program will continue for 12 years or as long as required by MMD
(Intera, 2011a).
San Mateo Uranium Mine
Past mine, Current Cleanup
Conventional Underground Uranium Mine
The San Mateo Mine site is located on the Cibola National Forest’s Mt. Taylor Ranger District,
approximately 5.5 miles west of the town of San Mateo. This inactive mine operated sporadically
from 1959 through 1971, then briefly in the 1980s under four different operators. No uranium ore
was milled onsite. Waste rock was disposed at the head of the mine in a series of waste rock
terraces. Although not typically ore quality, it can contain elevated concentrations of uranium, its
decay products, and other heavy metals. In addition, a pad consisting of material similar to the
main waste rock pile was constructed on a flat area northeast of the main rock pile. Since closure
of the mine, all buildings and surface facilities have been removed (though foundations remain),
and the main shaft and all emergency shafts and air shafts have been sealed. The mine road, waste
rock pile, north pad, and several settlings ponds remain at the site (USFS, 2009a).
The San Mateo Mine area is not a popular recreation area due to its remote, inaccessible setting.
Although camping is allowed, there is no indication of overnight use. Uranium-bearing rock
exposed by mining is a source of elevated gamma radiation, to which hunters, hikers, and/or
ATV-riders can be exposed by walking or driving through the area. These areas include the waste
rock pile where remnants of uranium-bearing rock formation may be exposed (USFS, 2009a).
The Forest Service has recently started the reclamation process, placing a geo-membrane cover
with rock armoring.
Mt. Taylor Uranium Mine
Past Mine; Either Future Mine or Reclamation
Conventional Underground Mine
The inactive Mt. Taylor Mine is located about 1/2 mile northeast of the village of San Mateo and
is accessible from New Mexico State Route 605. It was developed in the 1970s by Gulf Mineral
Resources Company. After excavating two 3,300-foot shafts, Gulf began production in 1980
using the room-and-pillar and stope mining methods; production continued until September 1982,
when the market price of uranium dropped suddenly, causing a temporary cessation of
production. Mine water continued to be pumped during this shutdown period. Mining resumed
but was suspended again in 1990, and has not taken place since then (RGRC, 2012).
DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest 85