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Introduction <br />This document presents the findings and proposed decision of the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety ("Division") for a reduction in the inspection frequency <br />of the Southfield Mine. The Southfield Mine was an underground coal mine operated by <br />Energy Fuels Coal, LLC. (EFC) where mining activities were most recently conducted <br />undermining and reclamation permit C-1981-014, which was revoked in 2018. The site <br />is located in Fremont County, Colorado, approximately eight miles south of the town of <br />Florence, next to Fremont County Route 15. The permit area is located on the USGS 7.5 <br />minute quadrangle map entitled "Rockvale." The load out was located on USGS 7.5 <br />minute quadrangle map entitled "Canon City." Of the original 2,735 acres, EFC has <br />achieved final reclamation and the Division has approved Phase III bond release of <br />approximately 2,733.55 acres. As such, the current permit area consists of 1.45 acres. The <br />Division issued the most recent Permit Renewal on April 21, 2015. <br />History of Permit and Operations <br />Permit no. C-1981-014 for the Southfield Mine was initially issued on July 30, 1984 for <br />approximately 2,735 acres of affected land for the life of the mine. Of the original 2,735 <br />acres, EFC has achieved final reclamation and the Division has approved Phase III bond <br />release of approximately 2,733.55 acres. As such, the current permit area consists of 1.45 <br />acres. The Division issued the most recent Permit Renewal on April 21, 2015. The <br />Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB) revoked permit C-1981-014 in August 2018 for <br />a pattern of violations, and ordered forfeiture of the $10,000.00 reclamation bond. <br />Reclamation Completed <br />As noted, EFC has achieved final reclamation and the Division has approved Phase III <br />bond release of approximately 2,733.55 acres. As such, the current permit area consists of <br />1.45 acres. Of the remaining 1.45 acres, 1.15 acres has achieved Phase I bond release. <br />The light -use road to access monitoring well pad MW -NW (0.3 acres) did not receive <br />bond release prior to revocation. <br />General Stability of Reclaimed Area <br />Generally, the Division's inspections have found no changes on the Southfield Mine site <br />from month-to-month. Other than limited weeds and small localized disturbance from <br />vehicle use along a portion of the reclaimed substation access road, the reclaimed area is <br />stable. The majority of the site has well vegetative cover outside of the light -use road <br />which accesses monitoring well pad MW -NW. This road did not receive reclamation <br />prior to revocation. However, due to lack of use, the light -use road has begun to self -heal <br />with vegetation. The Magpie Diversion, a permanent diversion within the permit area, is <br />stable and well armored with rip rap. Previous Division inspections have noted an area <br />devoid of rip -rap within the Magpie Diversion which approximates fifty square feet. This <br />area is stable with no erosion and shows no signs of potential impacts to the diversion <br />stability. Seeded species have developed locally, including: Indian ricegrass, <br />wheatgrass, wildrye, brome, buffalograss, and fescue. Small patches of bindweed along <br />