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West Elk Mine <br />Other stops and observations included: Sediment Pond MB-4 at the train <br />loadout; pond MB-2 which has been enlarged and lined since the last OSM <br />oversight inspection of 8/12/93; refuse pile minor reconfiguration and the light <br />use access road and drainage ditch serving the refuse pile area were well <br />maintained; the reconfigured MB-3 pond and the stream buffer zone were <br />inspected; pond MB-1 has also been reconfigured through an approved revision <br />and will also be lined; relocated topsoil stockpile was inspected and we made <br />observations of the crusher/separator operation, the lower shop area and the <br />power substation. We proceeded to the upper benches and observed the <br />explosives/underground equipment storage area, the portal entrances areas <br />including the mine water discharge which was approximately 200 gpm; and we <br />concluded the days inspection activity with observations of the refuse pile <br />outslopes and the upper shop areas. TR No. 67 approved construction of an <br />additional materials storage bench. Construction of the storage bench is <br />expected to begin within days. <br />We began the inspection of 10/5/94 by driving to the new water tank site <br />approved in TR No. 70. Only the drilling has been completed at this site and <br />facilities installation is not planned until spring of 1995. We spent the rest of <br />the day doing office reviews of required records and permit review of the <br />special focus topics mentioned above, primarily AOC establishment during the <br />reclamation process. Maps 58, 58a & 59 depict approved cross-sections of the <br />proposed reclamation configurations and the cross-sections show all disturbed <br />areas being returned to AOC. The proposed reclamation configuration which <br />was discussed during last years OSM inspection concerning the Sylvester Gulch <br />Fan Site was clarified via MR No. 111 dated 12/3/93 which describes this fan <br />site being returned to AOC. Other MR's which were approved subsequent to <br />last year's inspection and resolved issues identified during that inspection <br />included MR No. 107 concerning designation of light use roads and MR No. 1 10 <br />concerning a topsoil balance evaluation. In addition, the public notifications of <br />undermining which were also discussed during last years inspection were <br />copied to OSM/Albuquerque Field Office (AFO) and dated 12/9 & 10/1993. <br />These notifications were adequate. We continued and reviewed records <br />including: new sediment pond certifications dated 9/14/94; sediment pond <br />quarterly inspections and refuse pile quarterly inspections including the required <br />density testing; and the current approved bonding (S 5,500,000 ). As <br />mentioned earlier we also reviewed applicable sections of the approved permit <br />for AOC provisions and the sections reviewed were in compliance with <br />Colorado's approved program. This concluded the site inspection and records <br />review on site. <br />