INSPEC17910

• Permit No: C1983059
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 1/4/2006
• Doc Name: OSM Inspection Report
• From: OSM
• Inspection Date: 12/7/2005
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

December 19. 2005
Oxbow Minerals, Inc.
PO Box 535
Somerset, CO 81434
Terror Creek Coal Loadout
Special focus evaluation /coal loading facilities.
December 7, 2005
Participants:
Jim Kilter, Oxbow Minerals, Inc.
Joe Dudash, Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG)
Henry Austin, Office of Surface Mining (OSM)
I participated with the above on a special focus evaluation regarding coal loading and handling
facilities. This topic and this facility were selected by the DMG / OSM Oversight Team to
evaluate offsite impacts from these facilities. No offsite impacts were documented during the
evaluation.
Mr. Dudash oriented us at the site using Map 14-Sediment Control and Small Area Drainage
Exemptions (SAE's), from the approved DMG permit. The primary offsite impacts to evaluate
include surface water runoff from affected areas leaving the permit area; and wind blown coal
fines from coal stockpiles and coal handling-loading operations leaving the permit area.
The site was snow covered, with very cold temperatures resulting in frozen ground conditions.
The primary sediment pond, and the dugout sediment pond located by the topsoil stockpile, were
either dry or frozen. Inspection participants indicated that neither of these structures has
discharged in 4 to 5 years, and probably longer. The topsoil stockpile's protective berm is intact
and functional. The small irrigation ditch through the western end of the affected area is stable,
and flow path reinforced with a half round culvert, at the small slope just north and adjacent to
the railroad track and ROW at west end of major affected area. The railroad ROW that we
walked from the topsoil stockpile to the primary sediment pond was partly snow covered, with
no evidence of ponded water, serious erosion from surface water runoff, or instability.
The SAE's evaluated appeared to be located and constructed as approved, and effective. Partial
snow cover and frozen ground conditions limited observations. We saw no evidence of surface
water runoff from affected areas leaving the permit area untreated, or evidence of past discharges
from either of the sediment ponds, nor the SAE areas inspected.
Mr. Kilter indicated Oxbow had been completing more of the crushing and screening of these
coal products (this facility is used primarily for stoker & nut coal handling and loading) at the
Elk Creek Mine coal handling facility, resulting in coal products being delivered to Tenor Creek
with less coal fines and coal dust. This is a good practice. We saw no evidence of coal fines
being blown off the permit area. The ]oadout yard and coal stockpiles were orderly, and both
road and diversion ditches appeared to be functioning. There was no problem with coal fines on
the public road at the ]oadout entrance. This concluded the evaluation, and no offsite impacts
were noted. Hand held GPS reading taken at Terror Creek office & parking area at:
N 38 55 200 W 107 32 484
Please address any questions concerning this report to Henry Austin, Senior Reclamation
Specialist, at [e-mail] or to [phone] x1466.