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<br /> STATE OF COLU1~yU <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Gt: p,vtm~~m of Ndniral Resource> <br />~ <br /> <br />1 1 1 7 Shcrm,in st.. Room ? I S <br />ortnv~r, rDlurado ao~o} '. <br />D I V I S I O N O F_ <br />Nr,~n~~: ro sl ue6asr,- MINERALS:' <br />FA'i: I}D fl a'R~a 1116 & <br /> GEOLOGY <br /> ( <br />R E C L A M A T I O N <br />MIN ING•SA FETY <br />DATE: March 22, 1999 <br /> Bill Owens <br /> Governor <br />TO: Joe Dudash Oreg E. watcher <br /> _ Executive Director <br /> <br /> <br />FROM: Jim Pendleton ' ~! <br />- lti ~ t. `, Michael B. Long <br />Dwision Dtreccor <br />RE: Old Wast MRE Special Oversight Inspection <br />Resolution of Existing Situation, Bowie No. 1 Mine <br />(Permit No: C-81-038) <br />I previously reviewed the information regarding the Bowie No. 1 "old" waste pile, which <br />you forwarded to my attention. As I understand the situation, a question regarding <br />certification of the as-built pile arose during a joint special oversight inspection with OSM. <br />Further, the consulting engineers to Bowie Resources, Inc., who now owns and operates <br />the mine, declined to certify the pile as having been constructed in accordance with the <br />approved plan. The out slope is apparently over-steepened, which has suggested that it <br />was not constructed in accordance with the approved design. <br />Having a r (.collection of the original permanent program permitting of the Orchard Vallev <br />Mine, nowthe Bowie No. 1 Mine, I am not surprised that such an situation might have <br />occurred. In relation to the significant permitting adequacy problems regarding topics <br />such as ov rall stability of the surface facilities, sediment control, and subsidence control, <br />the old wa~te pile was a minor concern at the time. As your documentation describes, <br />allowance were made to allow the operator to complete the pile and begin use of the <br />new pile. The old pile had a spontaneous combustion problem following its first remedial <br />treatment j3nd had to be extinguished. It is possible that additional material was placed at <br />that time t~~ cap the pile and prevent ignition. My recollection is vague concerning this <br />distant pa t. Realistically, I'm pessimistic that records research would enlighten us <br />concerning the topic of the exact total volume of the pile. Relatively speaking, however, <br />the pile is small. In my opinion an extensive investigation to establish whether the <br />volume is .mall (±10%) would be an inappropriate expenditure of time and effort. <br />In accordance with our regulations and the approved permit the old waste pile should <br />have been certified. It was not. To his credit, the consultant is not willing to certify a <br />pile he does not believe meets the design requirements. Certification of the pile by any <br />