_INSPECTION - C1981022 (37) - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE Elk Creek C-1981-022 Pg 1/3 24 January 2008 Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. This was a partial inspection of the Elk Creek and Sanborn Creek Mines conducted on 24 January 2008 by Jim Stark of CORMS. Jim Kiger of Oxbow Mining, LLC accompanied me on the inspection. The mine was producing coal at the time of the inspection and the coal stockpile was full. The weather was cold and overcast and the ground was covered with snow. Signs and Markers: - The mine ID sign was in place at both the main entrance at the train loadout, the back entrance along old Highway 133 and the Hubbard Creek fan. The signs contained all of the required information. The sign was in place at the West Valley Fill and the topsoil stockpile sign was in place at the topsoil pile for the fill. Permit boundary and disturbed boundary markers were also in place as required. All of the topsoil stockpile signs, including the ones at the drill pads we visited, were in place as required. Roads: - The mine access road is a paved road. The road is well maintained and in good condition. - The road to the Elk Creek portals and facilities area was damp and covered with snow/ice but it appeared to be stable and well maintained at the time of the inspection. No erosional problems were noted on the road at the time of the inspection. - The haul road to the West Valley Fill was muddy but it appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. There was no major rutting or erosional problems noted on the road at the time of the inspection. There were some minor ruts developing because of the muddy conditions but they are not a problem at this time. - The haul road to the II-West valley fill was also muddy but it was well maintained and appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. Again, given the conditions there was some rutting developing on the road but it remains in overall good condition. No erosional problems were noted on the road at the time of the inspection. - The East Yard Haul Road was well maintained and stable at the time of the inspection. This road is used for accessing the mine when a train is being loaded and for general mine storage. No erosional problems were noted on the road at the time of the inspection. - The road to the Hubbard Creek fan site was covered with packed snow/ice but appeared to be well maintained and stable at the time of the inspection. This road is also used by Hotchkiss Ranch, the Bowie No. 2 Mine and outfitters and hunters. Bowie is actively working in the area and they have been keeping the road well graded. The road spur to the fan site itself was well maintained and stable. No erosional problems were noted on these roads. Hydrologic Balance: - Pond A contained a small pool of water approximately and was not discharging at the time of the inspection. The pond is an incised pond and was cleaned in early winter. The pond was stable at the time of the inspection. - Pond B contained water approximately four feet below the emergency spillway at the time of the inspection but was not discharging (discharge is through a gated valve below the water level). The embankment was covered with snow but appeared to be well vegetated and appeared to be stable. No erosional problems were noted on the pond embankment. The emergency spillway was stable at the time of the inspection.