GENERAL35013 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• Environmental Assessment • ?owderhorn Caal Company's Poadside and Cameo Mines Mining and Reclamation Plaa L`:TROD UCTION: The Roadside and Cameo Mines are located opposite one another on either side of the Colorado River about 3 miles Northeast of Palisade, Colorado along Interstate 70 (See legal description and map supplied with permit). These underground mines are operated by the Powderhorn Coal Company and have applied for a permit to continue underground mining operations at the Roadside and Cameo Mines. Powderhorn Coal Company is the successor to GE% Colorado, Inc. This transaction was completed Decembar 31, 1981. On January 13, 1982, the permit application was amended co include information on additional Federal Coal Leases which were obtained by Powderhorn Coal Company. Final cos erns regarding the adequacy of the companp's Mining and Reclamation Plan were provided to the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division on October 4, ]982 . The applicant has proposed a 272 acre disturbed area, a 2,077 acre affected area, and a 7,441 acre permit area (see permit with a nap). Approximately 526 acres have been affected by underground mining operation to date. Most of the acreage affected by surface disturbing activities have already occurred and little additional disturbance is expected during the life of the mine operation. The operation currently produces 1,100,000 tons of raw coal per year. The permit application indicates that mining will cease is the year 1995, although it is evident there are sufficient reserves to mine beyond that date. Ownership of the coal to be mined Ss approximately 87Z Federal and 13S fee (private). Cameo Mine is currently inactive and Roadside employs 192 hourly and 14 salaried workers. Employment is projected to remain stable at Roadside throughout the life of the mine. The Cameo Mine will reopen when market con- ditions Smprove. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division (CMLRD), in accordance with the approved Colorado State Program, has reviewed Powderhorn Coal Company's Road- side and Cameo mining and reclamation 5-year permit application and has sub- mitted a technical analysis (TA) document to the Department of Interior, OSM. CMLRD is now prepared co approve the permit application pursuant to the re- quirements of the State permanent program. Pursvaat to 30 CFR 741..i(b), OSM will approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve the permit for this surface coal mining and reclamation operation on Federal lands.