INSPEC12735

• Permit No: C1981033
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 7/20/2004
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

should be filled so as to ensure entry closure and watched for any further signs of instability.
The inspection of the two backfilled westernmost portals of the Bear No. 3 Mine, the beltline portal
and the air intake portal, revealed several problems as well. Several cracks and holes have opened up in
the location of the two backfilled portals. One of the holes that has opened up has uncovered the top
section of a steel beam. This hole is in a line with cracks above it and below it. The cracks above and
below were previously identified by the Colorado Inactive Mines Program as hot spots. There was an
odor of smoldering or burning coal in this specific azea. A steel structure is also exposed at the
westernmost portal location. Also, about fifty feet to the west and down gradient of this azea, a small
uprooted tree with charred roots was observed.
It was not cleaz during the inspection what exactly caused these holes and cracks to open up. The holes
and cracks aze in the area of the backfilled westernmost Beaz No. 3 portals and may be from the effects
of settling, in which case repairs to the backfill need to be made. This area is also very close to the
eastern edge of the landslide. The landslide may be affecting the adjacent reclamation backfill. Even
though the landslide may be affecting the portal backfill work, the portals still need to be properly
sealed and backfilled. Finally, there may be settling of the slope due to the effects from the underlying
burning coal. Again, the portals need to be properly sealed and backfilled. No matter what the cause, it
appeazed to the Division that the reclamation backfilling of the westernmost Bear No. 3 Mine portals,
the beltline portal and the air intake portal, is not stable. In addition, because of the openings in the
backfill, this area poses a public safety risk. BCC needs to repair the backfill of the reclaimed beltline
portal and the air intake portal.
Finally, as evidenced by the charred tree root near the backfilled westernmost Bear No. 3 Mine portals,
there is a potential for the mine fire to start a surface fire. Bear Coal Company needs to implement
surface fire prevention measures on this mine site as soon as possible.
Because of the possibility that the mine fire may be having a negative effect on the backfilling and
grading work and on public safety, the Division needs to bring the issue of the mine fire formally into
the Phase One bond release process. Therefore, please provide a demonstration identifying the source
of the mine fire and whether it is the result of the Bear No. 3 Mine operation.
After the examination of the backfilling and regrading work, the bond release inspection turned to the
sedimentation control system. There is one collection ditch that takes disturbed water from the mine
site and undisturbed water from above the mine site and carries it into the sedimentation pond. The
collection ditch had sufficient capacity and was well vegetated. This collection ditch has been
performing well over many years.
There also is a culvert under the entrance road at the mine site gate that carries water from the azea just
south of the entrance gate and carries it into the sediment pond. The culvert was clear and functional.
The sediment pond had sufficient capacity. The pond inslopes and outslopes were stable. The gated
primary spillway and the riprapped emergency spillway were functional. The gated valve was closed.
There was only a little water in the sediment pond at the time of the inspection.
The mine site is protected from a 100 year flood event of the North Fork of the Gunnison River by a
designed flood control berm. The berm was well vegetated and appeared to be functional. As
mentioned previously, the berm will remain in support of one of the post mining Iand uses of limited
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