Laserfiche WebLink
Mine Site Inspection <br />Mine Name: New Horizon North <br />Permittee: Western Fuels LLC <br />Permit ID#: C-2010-089 <br />Inspection Date: May 7, 2015 <br />Inspection Type: Partial Oversight <br />Weather Conditions: Rainy <br />Participants: <br />Brock Bowles, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) <br />Frank Ferris, New Horizon Mine -Western Fuels LLC <br />Spencer Shumate, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) #541 <br />Howard Strand, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement <br />Roads (Rule 4.03): All roads traveled were generally in good repair at the time of inspection. <br />Topsoil (Rule 4.06): Many topsoil stockpile areas and several newly redistributed topsoiled <br />areas throughout the mine are lacking in vegetative cover. OSMRE notes some stockpiles <br />observed were either currently being seeded or have just been seeded. Nevertheless, it is <br />apparent that due to the overall lack of successful vegetation establishment, the current seeding <br />practice is not effective. As part of the closeout meeting, the operator ensured the Team that <br />they will be working with DRMS to explore any potential alternative BMP methods. See <br />Figure 1 below. <br />Hydrology (Rule 4.05): <br />The approved permit specifies three drainage ditches for the permit area (NHN-001 East and <br />West, the NHN-002 North and South, and the NHN-003 North and South). In addition to these <br />drainages, the permit specifies three sedimentation ponds that each drainage reports to <br />accordingly (Sediment Pond NHN-1,-2, and -3). As of the date of this inspection, sediment pond <br />NHN-1 and NHN-2 are in place. The final NHN-3 sediment pond will be constructed as mining <br />advances. <br />NHN-1 Sediment Pond <br />Inspected the pond for overall stability and functionality. This included the inlet structure, <br />principle spillway, emergency spillway. NOTE: As part of OSMRE's 2014 Complete <br />Inspection, several areas were identified that needed maintenance at this location. All repairs <br />and maintenance have been completed. No areas of concern were identified at the time of <br />inspection. See Figure 2 below. <br />NHN-2 Sediment Pond <br />Inspected the pond for overall stability and functionality. This included the inlet structure, <br />principle spillway, emergency spillway. Due to the recent construction of this pond, vegetation <br />has not yet had an opportunity to establish. No areas of concern were identified at the time of <br />inspection. See Figure 3 below. <br />