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<br />-tt- <br />Su" rtmary <br />The Review Process <br /> <br />CFbI Steel Corporation is applying for a permit under the Colorado Surface <br />Coal Mining Reclamation Act to mine coal underground and develop and use <br />surface facilities at the Maxwell Mine. The mine is located in Las Animas <br />County, Colorado approximately 27 miles west of Trinidad, Colorado along State <br />Highway 12 in Section 29, T33S, R67W. <br />The Maxwell Mine has been in existence since 1977 and was operated under an <br />interim permit issued on January 25, 1918 pursuant to the Colorado Mined Land <br />Reclamation Act, by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division (the <br />Division). CFbI Steel Corporation submitted an application for a new permit <br />on February 4, 1981, pursuant to Section 34-33-109 of the Colorado Surface <br />Coal Mining Reclamation Act. Since that time the application has been under <br />review 6y the Division to determine compliance with the Rules and Regulations <br />of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. <br />Mining operations at the Maxwell Mine ceased in the early fall of 1981. <br />Maintenance activities only have occurred during the past two years. <br />CFbI sent a letter on June 4, 1982, notifying the Division of a temporary <br />cessation of operations. <br />On April 14, 1981, the Division sent a letter to CFbI Steel Corporation (CFbI) <br />which identified deficiencies in the application which were noted during the <br />preliminary adequacy review. Resolution of these deficiencies was required in <br />order for the Division to make determinations of compliance. Several meetings <br />were held with CFbI during the summer and fall of 1981 to discuss necessary <br />information and investigations, including a meeting at the mine site where <br />specific problem areas were examined and discussed. <br />CFbI responded to the April 14, 1981 letter by resubmitting anew permit <br />application package on November 13, 1981. Division concerns, regarding the <br />November l3, 1981 submittal were sent to CFbI on April 19, 1982. <br />The April 19, 1982 letter to CFbI was in the form of a Draft Findings <br />document. This document identified several conditions and numerous <br />stipulations that would affect permit approval. The operator was urged to <br />attempt to resolve as many of the conditions and stipulations as possible. <br />CFbI's responded to the Draft Findings document on August 24, 1982 and <br />December 20, 1982. <br />The Division reviewed the responses and has continued discussions with CFbI <br />personnel. These findings are the result of the final review and the <br />discussions. Deficiencies in the permit application still exist. <br />Because of these deficiencies the Division has included conditions and <br />stipulations in the proposed decision to approve the permit and limit the <br />approval in order to remain in compliance with the Act. This approval is for <br />activities related to modification and maintenance of surface facilities and <br />the limited extraction of coal during the development phase. Secondary or <br />retreat mining is not approved at this time under Santistevan, Apache and <br />Ciruela Canyons. <br />