State authorities served a search-and-seizure warrant at a Montrose County mining company last week on suspicion of illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste.
Inspectors issued multiple fire-code violations and state officials have begun a hazardous waste investigation at Elizabeth Mining and Development Inc., 11948 6300 Road.
The company violated codes concerning separation of incompatible materials, maintaining a hazardous material management plan, responsibility for cleanup, identification signs, spill controls, unauthorized discharges of materials and clearance of combustibles, according to Dale Erickson, the deputy fire chief of Montrose County Fire Protection District.
Elizabeth Mining and Development has until Thursday to address the fire code violations, Erickson said.
This week, officials at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment expect to issue an order for the company to comply with environmental standards, said Howard Roitman, director of state environmental programs.
Roitman said it is too early in the investigation to quantify the environmental damage.
Steve Casebolt, owner of Elizabeth Mining and Development, couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
