_INSPECTION - C1981022 ‎(49)‎

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 5/20/2008
• Email Name: MLT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE
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 Mine and Sanborn Creek Mine (Permit No. C-1981-
022) conducted by Marcia Talvitie of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety
on 20-May-2008. Jim Kiger, Environmental Manager of Oxbow Mining, LLC (OMLLC) was present
throughout the entire inspection.
Sanborn Creek Vent Shaft and Substation
The facility is located approximately three miles east of the main support facilities at Elk Creek,
on private land. OMLLC indicated that the methane being vented may be gathered and used
in the generation of electricity.
Hubbard Creek Fan and Substation
The site was fenced and securely locked. The cut slope above appeared to be stable. Pond F
contained a small amount of water (Figure 1). Collection ditches were functioning as designed.
Hubbard Creek Access Road
The Upper Hubbard Gulch Sedimentation Pond (Pond 007), across from the Blue Ribbon Mine,
did not contain any water. The side slopes were well-vegetated and stable. Bowie Resources,
LLC was utilizing the Forest Access Road turnaround (within OMLLC's permit boundary) as a
staging area for its operations in the construction of its Hubbard Creek Ventilation Shaft project.
Hay bales were staked securely around the perimeter of the area, providing effective sediment
control (Figure 2).
Somerset Mine-B-Seam Portal
These workings'were reclaimed approximately 10 years ago. Appropriate Mine Identification
Sign and surface disturbance markers were in place.
Bear Creek Road
Bear Creek was running at the time of the inspection (flow normally occurs from March thru
June). Peak flow had passed, and the operator used the inspection trip as an opportunity to
dislodge branches from several culvert inlets. The road accesses numerous methane
degasification well sites, including previous, current and proposed. Steel T-posts marked the
locations of wells immediately adjacent to the road. Several locations were viewed on top of
the mesa, in various stages of disturbance, operation, and reclamation (Figure 3). The operator
appears to have a systematic approach to development and reclamation of the pad sites and
the roads by which they are accessed.
Ponds
OMLLC,plans to have sediment mucked out from Pond B during 2008. Wet material so removed
will be transported to the East Yard Sedimentation Pond located further east for drying prior to
being incorporated in one of the Valley Fills. A spill kit was conveniently located at Pond D
(Figure 4). The oil-absorbent booms that have been suspended in Ponds B and D will be
replac6d during 2008, when the summer employees are hired. The interns will also be tasked
with silt fence repair and wattle placement.
Elk Creek Mine C-1981-022 20-May-2008