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Elk Creek Mine (C-1981-022) MT-8 <br /> Introduction <br /> This document presents the results of the Midterm Review of the Elk Creek Mine permit, conducted by <br /> the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety(Division). The Elk Creek Mine is owned and <br /> operated by Oxbow Mining, LLC. This Midterm Review was conducted to fulfill the requirements of the <br /> Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (Act), and Rules 2.08.3, 2.06.2(9), 2.06.3(4), 2.06.5(3), <br /> 2.06.7(5), and 3.02.2(4) of the Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for <br /> Coal Mining (Rules), which were promulgated to implement the Act. <br /> Rule 2.08.3 requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued not later than the middle of <br /> the permit term. Based on this review, for good cause shown, the Division may require reasonable <br /> revisions to, or modifications of,the permit provisions to ensure compliance with the Act and <br /> Regulations. <br /> Rules 2.06.2. 2.06.3, 2.06.5, and 2.06.7 require that during the midterm review, where applicable, <br /> experimental practices, mountaintop removal variances,variances from approximate original contour <br /> (ACC), and variances from contemporaneous reclamation, respectively, be reviewed by the Division. <br /> Rule 3.02.2(4) requires that the Division review the amount of performance bond liability and the terms <br /> of acceptance of the bond every 2%years. <br /> This Midterm Review consisted of a detailed review of the Elk Creek Mine permit application package <br /> and previous Division findings of compliance to ensure that the proposed operation is in compliance with <br /> the Rules and Act. The Division also reviewed all subsequent revisions and stipulation responses to <br /> ensure that all permit commitments and conditions were being followed. Problems and observations <br /> from past Division inspection reports were also considered. <br /> The document has seven sections. <br /> • Section I contains a brief description of the mine history and the surrounding environment. A <br /> detailed review of the Reclamation Plan has been added. <br /> • Section II contains a summary of permit actions since the last Permit Renewal. <br /> • Section III is a summary of the Division's review of the active stipulations attached to the <br /> permit. <br /> • Section IV is a summary of the review of any previously approved experimental practices, <br /> mountaintop removal variances,variances from approximate original contour(AOC), and <br /> variances from contemporaneous reclamation. <br /> • Section V summarizes any enforcement actions issued since the permit was last renewed, and <br /> the current status of any actions that were issued. <br /> • Section VI is a summary of the review and a discussion of any problems identified as a result <br /> of this review that are required to be resolved. <br /> • Section VII is a summary of the review of the reclamation cost estimate and the performance <br /> bond(s) held by the Division. <br /> Page 2 of 22 <br />