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Project 22
Mine Safety Closures
Standard Mine District
Mojave National Preserve, California
The Standard Mine District was comprised of 36 different high risk areas that were evaluated for closure. The sites included horizontal adits and vertical shafts and stopes. Desert Tortoise, owls, and bats were present at some of the locations and closure schedules were adjusted to accommodate and avoid disturbances to these species. Burleson completed the Project Design and Management Plan for review by the National Park Service (NPS). The plan provided conceptual drawings of the proposed closures at each of the unique sites. The plan identified any outstanding issues, such as biological or safety hazards would impede the timeliness of the project.
Safety was a primary concern
for the public visitors and also
to the construction crews
on site for this project. Our
team on-site personnel
completed Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA)
mine safety training and some
are certified miners and safety
instructors. Mr. David Elskamp,
Certified Industrial Hygienist
(CIH) with Burleson prepared
the Accident Prevention Plan(APP) and reviewed the Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) forms.
The Project Design and Management Plan identified safety and engineering risks associated with the designs. Burleson's biologist reviewed the bat survey information that was used for determining the best approach for closure. Burleson's construction manager worked closely with NPS staff to listen to their concerns and ideas for closure. The NPS was concerned with visual impacts and wanted to allow future access for NPS personnel.
Burleson met NPS needs by providing low profile safety grates for non-sensitive areas and bate gate for areas where bats were present. Burleson followed the Bat Conservation International (BCI) Bat and Mines guidance for construction specifications.
Burleson utilized a locked removable bar to allow access to these sites by biologists or NPS personnel once they have been gated. These locks provide the highest level of security with the lowest frequency of defeat. The NPS was pleased with Burleson's work and our approach. They were particularly happy with the conceptual renderings that allowed for discussion and changes prior to starting work.
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