2025-08-06_REVISION - C1981019 (16)

Home Browse Search

the approved elevations shown on SL-24 Map 2. Given the expanse of the mine site and the steepness of the terrain at Colowyo,the Division determined that the difference in elevation is acceptable. Summary and Conclusions The Division has completed its review and evaluation of the SL-24 partial Phase I Bond Release application submitted by Colowyo for the Colowyo Mine. The Division proposes to approve this Partial Phase I Bond Release on 145.8 acres associated with the West Pit,north and east of the Collom Pit,and northeast of the Gossard Loadout facility. Based upon a review of the mine permit,the applicant's bond release application, and site inspections,the Division finds that Colowyo has achieved a post-mining topography that resembles the general surface configuration of the land prior to mining and supports the approved post-mining land use. The reclamation parcels requested under SL-24 conform to post-mining contours as shown on the approved Postmining Topography Map of the PAP (Map 19, 19A and 19C) and were stable at the time of the inspection. The Division finds that Colowyo has achieved the requirements for partial Phase I Bond Release at the Colowyo Mine. V. PROPOSED DECISION Based on the observations in Section IV above,the Colorado Division of Reclamation,Mining,and Safety proposes to approve Colowyo's request for a partial Phase I Bond Release for the Colowyo Mine. This proposed decision will release the applicant from liability for 145.8 acres within the West Pit,north and east of the Collom Pit,and northeast of the Gossard Loadout facility,as shown on Figure 1 at the end of this document. The Division holds a performance bond in the amount of$119,000,000.00 for the Colowyo Mine. The Division has calculated the amount associated with the partial Phase I Bond Release area and it totals $6,121,323.00. Concurrent with the approval of this Surety Release request,the Division has initiated a Surety Increase(SI2)revision for Colowyo to account for cost increases associated with the issuance of Midterm No. 9(MT-9).Under MT-9,the Division estimates its cost to complete remaining reclamation work at the Colowyo Mine to be$131,989,553.00.All required reclamation costs associated with SL-24 release areas which are not currently bonded for,as discussed in Section IV above,will be accounted for under the ongoing Surety Increase (SI-2)revision. Colowyo and the Division are currently working together to assess these necessary bond updates. The recalculated bond amount approved under SI2 will be sufficient to assure completion of the remaining reclamation work to the Colowyo Mine if the work had to be performed by the Division,including the cost of reestablishing vegetation on any revegetated areas, should those areas fail. With the releasable amount of$6,121,323.00,and before the final approval of SI2,the Division will require a total bond in the amount of$125,868,230.00 which is$6,868,230.00 more than is what is currently held by the Division.A notice of Surety Increase(SI2)was proposed by the Division on July 1,2025,prior to the publication of the Division's SL-24 Findings. Once all adequacy items are addressed under SI2, Colowyo may submit an increase rider for SI2 which incorporates the released amount approved under SL-24. Any person with a valid legal interest which might be adversely affected by this proposed decision may request a formal public hearing before the Mined Land Reclamation Board in accordance with Rule 3.03.2(6). Public notice of this proposed decision will be published twice in the Craig Daily Press as soon as possible. Requests for public hearing must be submitted to the Division in writing within thirty days of the Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance Partial Phase I Bond Release SL-24 Page 8 of 14