INSPEC33664 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~, _ III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE 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 supporFing the enforcement action. This was an aerial inspection of the Sanborn Creek and Elk Creek mines. Photos were taken by Harry Ranney of the DMG on March 9, 2001. Attempts to conduct this aerial inspection in February were thwarted by poor weather conditions. Weather during this inspection was partially cloudy. Ground conditions varied depending upon the elevation. At the Elk Creek facilities area, the ground appears to be fairly dry with pockets of snow in the brush. On the road to the CM drill pad, the road appears to be muddy and there is snow cover on the ground surrounding the drill pad. Photos of the CBM drill pad and the upper Elk Creek mine facilities area are attached. Areas covered by this inspection were the Elk Creek mine facilities, the West Valley waste pile, the CBM degasification wells and drill pad and access road. Construction continues at the Elk Creek mine facilities area. The lower topsoil stockpile appears to be nearly all relocated to the upper location. Little additional disturbance was observed on the "slope stabilization" area where fill material will be removed and used as bench fill. A backhoe appears to be working at the site of the proposed mine entries hwere a pad has been constructed. Both of the upper air shafts have been drilled. The "holding pond" above the proposed facilities area is in place until the Elk Creek culvert is completely installed and operable. Oxbow Mining Inc. has started drilling the second desgasification well at the CBM drill pad site. A drill rig and several support vehicles and tools are visible at the site. Three mud pits contain drilling mud below the pad. All runoff appears to be contained within the drill pad site. A diversion ditch is apparent above the pad. The access road to the drill site is clear of snow and appears muddy. A photo of the West Valley fill shows that most of the outslope of the lower bench has been covered with matting. No new waste deposition is apparent.