_INSPECTION - C1981008 ‎(28)‎

• Permit No: C1981008
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 10/15/2008
• 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 Complete Inspection of the New Horizon Mine conducted by Marcia Talvitie of the
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) and Henry Austin (HA) of the Office
of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) on October 15th and 16th, 2008. Ross
Gubka (RG) represented the operator, Western Fuels - Colorado (WFC), and was present
throughout the entire inspection.
General
The inspection began at the WFC mine office at 9:30 a.m. on October 15th. RG provided an
overview of activities at the mine, using a recent aerial photo for reference. Blasting records
were reviewed for compliance with regulatory requirements, and RG described the procedures
used to monitor the seismic effects of blasting. The field inspection of NH 2 and NH 1 followed,
lasting until 5:00 p.m. The records check took place on October 16th, from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m.
Permitting
The New Horizon Mine is in the midst of a number of permit changes at this time:
• RN-5-Permit Renewal No. 5-is dependent upon approval of TR-57
• TR-57-Soil Resource Information and Topsoil Redistribution
• SL-11 -Partial Phase I and Phase II bond releases for certain lands east of 2700 Road
• TR-58-Change in Revegetation Success Standard for Irrigated Pasture
Based on discussions with WFC, additional revisions are anticipated to be forthcoming:
• Permit Revision to address changes in post-mining land use
• Bond Release to address reconstructed portions of BB Road and 2700 Road now open to
the traveling public
Availability of Records
Records were available at the mine office for review. A completed DRMS Availability of Records
form is attached to this report.
Signs and Markers
Mine and Permit Identification Signs (Rule 4.02.2); Blasting Signs (Rule 4.02.6) and Topsoil Markers
(Rule 4.02.7) were properly placed and clearly visible throughout and surrounding the permit
area.
Roads
The BB Road Detour was previously constructed by WFC to carry public traffic around the
northeastern corner of the permit area. When the reconstructed BB Road was opened for
public use earlier this year, the Detour, no longer needed, was barricaded (Figure 1). During the
inspection, RG stated that it is likely a portion or all of the BB Road Detour will remain-as a
permanent feature, depending upon landowner wishes and access to the CCC Ditch box.
Haul roads within the permit area appeared to be well-maintained. The crossing of 2700, Road,
paved with concrete, is performing as designed. There were no signs of pavement distress.
New Horizon Mine C-1981-008 15 & 16-Oct-2008