Laserfiche WebLink
Midterm Review -Southfield Mine <br />This document presents the results of the Midterm Review of Energy Fuels Coal, Incorporated (EFCI) <br />Southfield Mine, conducted by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (the Division). This <br />Midterm Review was conducted to fulfill the requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining <br />Reclamation Act, and Sections 2.08.3, 2.06.2(9), 2.06.3(4), 2.06.5(3), 2.06.7(5), and 3.02.2(4) of the <br />Rules and Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Boazd for Coal Mining, promulgated to <br />implement the Act. <br />Section 2.08.3 requires that the Division conduct a review of each permit issued, prior to its midterm (2%z <br />years). Based on this review, for good cause shown, the Division may require reasonable revisions to, or <br />modifications of, the permit provisions to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulations. <br />Sections 2.06.2, 2.06.3, 2.06.5, and 2.06.7 require that during the midterm review, where applicable, <br />experimental practices, mountaintop removal variances, variances from approximate original contour <br />(AOC), and variances from contemporaneous reclamation, respectively, be reviewed by the Division. <br />The Southfield Mine does not conduct experimental practices, nor have variances been granted for <br />mountain top removal, contemporaneous reclamation, or from approximate original contour. <br />Section 3.02.2(4) requires that the Division review the amount of performance bond liability and the <br />terms of acceptance of the bond every 2'/z yeazs. <br />This midterm review consisted of a detailed review of the Southfield Mine permit application and <br />previous Division findings of compliance to identify any items that may have been overlooked during the <br />initial review. The Division also reviewed all subsequent revisions and stipulation responses to ensure <br />that all pemut commitments and conditions were being followed. Problems and observations from past <br />Division inspection reports were also considered. <br />Section I - History <br />On 31 January 1999, Energy Fuels Coal, Incorporated submitted an application to renew the valid, <br />existing permit for surface mining operations at the Southfield Mine. The application was approved on <br />22 June 2001. The five-year permit term was renewed and a permit was issued on 18 September 2001, <br />and will expire on 30 July 2004. <br />On 18 December 2000, the Division received notice from EFCI of temporary cessation of operations. <br />The Operator indicated that they had completed extraction of all saleable coal. The Operator continued to <br />sell stockpiled coal in January 2001. On 6 August 2001 the Division received notice from EFCI of <br />permanent cessation of operations. The mine began reclamation activities in late August - eazly <br />September 2001. <br />The Southfield Mine is in permanent cessation and is currently perfomung reclamation work. To date the <br />reclamation work completed includes the demolition of the wash plant, removal of the conveyor system <br />and stacking tubes, removal of concrete associated with the wash plant and conveyor system, sealing of <br />the portals and the reconstruction of the permanent Magpie Creek diversion. The Division approved the <br />retention of the track tunnel in the facilities azea and the use of Pond 1 for demolition debris disposal <br />