Laserfiche WebLink
February 4, 2014 C- 1981 - 022 /Elk Creek Mine MLT <br />Inspection Topic Summary <br />NOTE: Y= Inspected N =Not Inspected R= Comments Noted V= Violation Issued NA =Not Applicable <br />Y - Air Resource Protection <br />N - Availability of Records <br />N - Backfill & Grading <br />N - Excess Spoil and Dev. Waste <br />N - Explosives <br />N - Fish & Wildlife <br />R - Hydrologic Balance <br />R - Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan <br />R - Other <br />N - Processing Waste <br />R - Roads <br />N - Reclamation Success <br />N - Revegetation <br />N - Subsidence <br />N - Slides and Other Damage <br />R - Support Facilities On -site <br />N - Signs and Markers <br />NA - Support Facilities Not On -site <br />NA - Special Categories Of Mining <br />N - Topsoil <br />COMMENTS <br />A partial inspection of the Elk Creek Mine was conducted by Marcia Talvitie of the CDRMS on <br />Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Jim Kiger represented the operator, Oxbow Mining, LLC, <br />throughout the inspection. The North Fork area had received snowfall in the weeks prior to the <br />inspection, and fresh snow fell earlier in the morning. The temperature was approximately 30 <br />degrees. <br />The Elk Creek Mine continues to be idled, due to issues related to methane in the workings. <br />HYDROLOGIC BALANCE - Rule 4.05 <br />Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures <br />4.05.7, 4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; <br />Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage — Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments <br />4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: <br />We observed Ponds A, B, D, and the East Yard Pond. All of the ponds were blanketed with <br />snow. It appeared that B and D may have had water and ice beneath the snow. <br />GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLIANCE: <br />The operator has continued to ventilate the East District, where development has been <br />complete. A lease modification with the BLM is being pursued, and the period for public <br />comment will close in the near future. The lease modification would allow the operator to <br />continue to mine to the northeast. A portion of this area is on USFS (Roadless) surface, with <br />the remainder being on BLM land. <br />OTHER (METHANE COLLECTION): <br />In December 2013, a new facet of Vessels' methane collection was put into operation. Gas is <br />now being drawn from the portal of the Sanborn Creek Mine. It flows overland through a <br />pipeline to the generating station at the upper end of the Elk Creek facilities. <br />• Vessels is now pursuing a permit with the OGCC for similar use of the Bear Creek Fansite. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 9 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 2 of 3 <br />