GENERAL45286

• Permit No: C1981010
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 10/20/2006
• Doc Name: Letter Regarding Landslide October 2006
• From: DRMS
• To: Trapper Mining Inc.
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION Of RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: (303) 832$106
October 20, 2006
Mr. Forrest Luke
Trapper Mining Inc
F.G. BOX 187
Craig, CO 81626
Re: October 2006 Landslide, The Trapper Mine
Trapper Mining Inc, CDRMS Permit No. C-1981-010
Deaz Mr. Luke:
COLORADO
DIVISION OF
RECLAMATION
MINING
- &-
SAFETY
Bill Owens
Governor
Russell George
Executive Director
Ronald W. Cattany
Division Director
Natural Resource Trustee
Thank you for informing Coal Program staff on Monday, October 9, 2006 of the landslide at the
Trapper Mine that occurred on Sunday, October 8, 2006. As you know, the Coal Program is
conducting a regulatory compliance investigation into this matter. This investigation includes a review
of all existing permit-related information, detailed ground inspections, and review of all pertinent
environmental data.
This investigation is focused on ensuring the protection of human health and safety, environmental and
property resource protection, and mining/reclamation plan viability. Regulatory compliance is a
critical component of this investigation, and permitting actions and/or enforcement procedures may be
required. We will keep you informed as information, data, or regulatory actions are required.
Coal Program staff arrived at the Trapper Mine the afternoon of Tuesday, October 10, 2006. A
briefing with Trapper Mine personnel occurred at that time. Our on-the-ground inspection of the
landslide began the next morning. During the on-the-ground inspection, we documented that the
landslide had occurred at the east end of, and entirely within, the Trapper Mine permit area. At the
time of that inspection, the slide appeared situated immediately north of, and within and over portions
of, the partially-reclaimed G (Gatling) strike-line pit. The slide appeared to also be situated
immediately west of, and within portions of, the active G (Gatling) dip-line pit. We documented what
at that time appeazed to be the uphill, lateral, and downhill extent of the landslide, noting the existence
and locations of what appeared to be slide seeps, scarps, and toe bulges. GPS coordinates were
collected to provide an approximate boundary map. We understand that on October 13, 2006, TMI
conducted an aerial survey of the site, and we request receipt of the resulting photos and maps as soon
as possible.
During this initial inspection, we documented that the Gstrike-line and Gdip-line pits appeared to be
in general compliance with their approved topsoil stripping and overburden removal plans. We
documented the approximate locations of surface azeas impacted by the slide, but unapproved for
Office of Once of
Mined Land Reclamation Active and Inactive Mines