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Apri122, 2014 C- 1981 - 022 /Elk Creek Mine BFB <br />Drainage — Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: <br />Ponds A, B and D (photo 2) contained water but were not discharging. Ponds C, E, East Yard, Hubbard <br />Creek fansite (photo 3) and Hubbard Creek did not contain water. The catchment basins along the main West <br />Valley Haul road had all been recently cleaned (photo 4). <br />Elk Creek was flowing. The water above and below the mine was brown with sediment (photo 5). The North <br />Fork of the Gunnison River was high and brown with sediment (photo 6). The rock lined channels on either side <br />of the II West refuse pile were in good condition and appear to be stable. The ditch on the west side of the old <br />Hubbard Creek fansite was free and clear of debris. Bear Creek was flowing at the lower Bear Creek sampling <br />location. Hubbard Creek was flowing at bank full capacity. <br />OTHER (SPECIFY): <br />Approximately 75 yards North of the mine office a hole in the ground has formed emitting coal smoke <br />(photo 7). This is an indication that a coal fire is burning underground. The hole is approximately 4 -5 feet across <br />and the sides of the hole are lined with black soot. The hole is located on a hillside situated between the mine <br />office and coal stockpile. The area is used for equipment storage and does not get a lot of vehicular or pedestrian <br />traffic. Red danger tape is in place around the hole. It is suspected that the fire is in the old Sanborn Creek mine <br />workings which are now inactive and sealed. Jim Kiger has consulted with Steve Renner of CDRMS on possible <br />actions to take. At this time Oxbow is planning to fill the hole /vent with rocks and sand to slow the combustion. <br />It is not clear if other actions would be more effective at putting the fire out. <br />PROCESSING WASTE /COAL MINE WASTE PILES — Rule 4.10 and 4.11 <br />Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: <br />Coal waste was stacked on the II West Coal Refuse pile. Mine vehicles were being stored, with batteries <br />disconnected, on the top of the West Valley Coal Refuse Pile (photo 8). The top of the West Valley pile has not <br />been topsoiled or seeded and is used as a work and staging area. <br />ROADS — Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3) Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4) Surfacing and <br />Maintenance4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6) Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): <br />The West Valley Haul Road, parking areas, II West Refuse access road and Bear Creek were all well <br />maintained. <br />REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />Grasses were starting to sprout on the top section of the II West Refuse Pile (photo 9). This area was <br />seeded and covered with old shrubs and branches last fall. Many thistle rosettes were seen on the West Valley <br />Refuse Pile (photo 10) and along the storage bench east of the coal stock pile. These need to be treated. <br />SIGNS AND MARKERS — Rule 4.02: <br />The main entrance sign had all the required information and was legible. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 9 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />