GENERAL44637 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I. INTRODUCTION Purpose of this Document This document presents the findings of compliance and the proposed decision of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology ("Division") fora Phase I bond release at the West Elk Mine. The Division file number for the bond release application is SL-02. The mining and reclamation permit number is C-80-007. These findings and the decision are made in response to a request for the release of part of a reclamation bond at the West Elk Mine. The bond release request was submitted to the Division by the operator of the mine, Mountain Coal Company LLC (MCC). MCC is requesting release of $122,629 of reclamation bond. MCC has $11,500,000 of reclamation bond on deposit with the Division. The azea for which bond release is being requested (the "bond release azea")island disturbed by mining operations in the Lone Pine Gulch Ventilation Facilities azea. The bond release request is for Phase I release on approximately 5.5 acres. Contents of this Document This document contains the following five parts: I. Introduction; II. Summary of the Bond Release Process; III. Approval Criteria for Bond Release; IV. Observations and Findings; and V. Proposed Decision. Baclc¢round Information Sources Detailed information about the bond release review process can be found in the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, the Regulations ofthe Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Boazd for Coal Mining, and in the Guideline ReQardinr Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues, dated April 18, 1995. All "Sections" referenced within this document aze contained within the Regulations. Detailed information about mining and reclamation operations at the West Elk Mine can be found in mining and reclamation permit application C-80-007 on file at the Division offices, located at 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215, in Denver, Colorado. Location of Bond Release Area The West Elk Mine is located in Gunnison County, approximately 1 mile east of Somerset, Colorado. The bond release azea is located in SE 1 /4 Section 18, Township 13 South, Range 90 West. Land and Coal Ownership of the Bond Release Area Land ownership in the bond release azea is private (MCC and DLH Trust - Lazy H Ranch) and coal ownership is federal.