INSPEC21221

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 9/17/2007
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE
Elk Creek C-1981-022
Pg 1/3 1i September 2007 QS~
Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations
made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during
the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action.
This was a complete inspection of the Elk Creek and Sanborn Creek Mines conducted on the afternoon
of 1i September 2007 and the morning of 18 September 2007 by Jim Stark of CDRMS. Jim Kiger of
Oxbow Mining, LLC accompanied me on the inspection. The mine was producing coal at the time of the
inspection and the coal stockpile was full. The weather was cool and raining on 17 September and
cool and overcast on 18 September and the ground was wet both days. Jim Kiger did indicate that
they had received a pretty good storm over the weekend as well and were in need of some
maintenance work because of the runoff.
Roads: -The mine access road is a paved road. The road is well maintained and in good condition.
- The road to the Elk Creek portals and facilities area appeared to be stable and well rnaintained at
the time of the inspection. No erosional problems were noted on the road at the time of the
inspection.
- The haul road to the West Valley Fill was wet and muddy due to the rains but it appeared to be
stable and there was no rutting on the road at the time of the inspection. The operator just
replaced the downhill conveyor belt (from the Elk Creek portals to the coal stockpile) and the ofd
belt was laid out on the road. The operator had rolled up approximately half of the belt at the time
of the inspection.
- The haul road to the II-West Valley Fill was inaccessible due to the muddy conditions. This
inaccessibility prohlem is an issue that will need to be addressed prior to finishing the West Valley
fill because the II-West Valley fill will be the only disposal area at that time. It was unclear if the
road has been bladed because it was inaccessible but the Division is requesting that the road
maintenance be completed prior to the start of the fourth quarter, 2001 (October 2007).
- The East Yard Haul Road was well maintained and stable at the time of the inspection. This road
is used for accessing the mine when a train is being loaded and for general mine storage. No
erosional problems were noted on the road at the time of the inspection.
- The road along Hubbard Creek was stable at the time of the inspection. The road was being
actively bladed by BRL in conjunction with their work on a new vent shaft farther up Hubbard Creek.
Hydrologic Balance: - Pond A contained water to the top of the discharge pipe but was not
discharging at the time of the inspection. The pond is an incised pond and has been cleaned. The
pond was stable at the time of the inspection.
- Pond B contained water approximately three feet below the emergency spillway at the time of the
inspection but was not discharging (discharge is through a gated valve below the water levell. The
embankment was well vegetated and appeared to be stable. No erosional problems were noted on
the pond embankment. The emergency spillway was stable.
- Pond C is a concrete dam below the West Valley Fill. The dam appeared to be stable at the time
of the inspection. The pond contained a small amount of water but was not discharging at the time
of the inspection.
- Pond E is a concrete dam below the II West Valley Fill. The dam appeared to be stable at the time
of the inspection. The pond •contained a small amount of water but was not discharging at the time
of the inspection.