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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This report will summarize observations made by the Office of <br />Surface Mining (OSM) and the Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) <br />during an OSM oversight inspection at the Bear No. 1, 2, and 3 <br />Mines. OSM inspector Mitch Rollings and DMG inspectors David Berry <br />and Mike Boulay conducted a complete inspection of the mine sites. <br />Bear Coal Company personnel Dan Bear accompanied the OSM and DMG <br />during the entire inspection. Basil Bear of Bear Coal Company was <br />present during the availability of records inspection. <br />The Bear No. 1 and 2 Mines are no longer in operation and have been <br />reclaimed. The Bear No. 3 Mine ceased operations in November, 1996 <br />due to geological conditions encountered throughout the mine. <br />Reclamation and cleanup of the site is currently underway. The <br />coal stacking tube and conveyor structure have been removed. The <br />coal stockpile, scrap metal, and other debris have been removed <br />from the site. Dismantling of building structures has begun. The <br />three mine portal openings have been backfilled and sealed. <br />Discharge pipes have been installed to allow for potential drainage <br />from each of the sealed portals. The portal bench area and <br />surrounding hillside have been reclaimed. The backfilled and <br />reclaimed portions of the hillside have been seeded. Reclamation <br />of the site generally looks very good, with good progress being <br />made. Specific issues/recommendations identified during the <br />inspection are discussed below. <br />Availability of Records <br />The records file needs to be updated with the 1996 Annual <br />Reclamation Report and the most current Bond Document. A <br />discrepancy was noted for the current bond amount held. The bond <br />document shows a current bond of $160,000.00 for the Bear No. 3 <br />Mine, whereas, the latest reclamation cost estimate (from 1995 <br />Midterm Review) shows an estimate of $173,156.00. The Division is <br />in the process of reviewing the Bear No. 3 Mine bond amount as part <br />of the renewal process. A new reclamation cost estimate will be <br />completed and if additional bond is required, the Division will <br />notify Bear Coal Company. The OSM noted that the Bear Mine Permit <br />number and location should be included on the Certificate of <br />Insurance. Also, Anchor Coal should not be a coinsured party on <br />the certificate. Please make this required change to the <br />Certificate of Insurance. <br />1 <br />