_INSPECTION - C1996083 (37) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Bowie No. 2 Mine,pg.2 Annual impoundment re-certifications were complete for all impoundments (sediment ponds). The SPCC plan is on file and certified in 2005. The coal waste pile certifications and quarterly inspections were current. BRL anticipates the coal waste pile will reach the approved design capacity during the spring of 2008. A new coal waste disposal facility is being permitted south of old State Hwy. 133. The approved cover depth for the current pile is 3 feet of rooting media and 1 foot of topsoil; and the approved final slopes will be 5:1. Contemporaneous grading and reclamation is current, and surface water runoff was not a problem during the inspection. The final grading, compaction, and soil cover needs to be completed and seeded/mulched/stabilized when the pile is completed in 2008. The air quality permit was current. Personal liability insurance was current through May 31, 2007. The current bond amount is $ 8,948,517.00 and we briefly reviewed a comprehensive BRL bond release tracking document showing bonding amounts for both mines (Mine No. 1 also). The 2007 AHR is dated April 13, 2007, and contains the required information. Subsidence monitoring and disturbed acreage data is included in the 2007 Annual Reclamation Report. Inspection participants indicated there has been no reported subsidence damage above underground mine workings. Mining will not be authorized within one mile of the Terror Creek Reservoir, pending completion of the requirements in permit stipulation no. 9, and approval by DRMS. This concluded our office records review, and summarizes our discussions on the current status of permit conditions held at the conclusion of the inspection. We conducted a field inspection of the disturbed areas, and focused on surface water runoff control into the sediment ponds. Surface water runoff control appeared to be working as designed and we did not identify any problems. Sediment pond embankments and spillways were somewhat snow covered and any water was frozen, but they appeared to be functioning as designed. We began uphill from the main office and facilities area, and made inspection stops and observations progressing downhill, and through the railroad loadout facility. We began at the upper fan bench where surface water runoff was not a problem, and the immediate surrounding slopes appear stable. One problematic landslide area on a cut slope is being monitored and probably will require additional mitigation. The main office / facilities pad / shop area and coal stockpile areas were well organized and maintained and all ditches observed were stable and functioning.