_INSPECTION - C1981008 ‎(23)‎

• Permit No: C1981008
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 12/31/2008
• Email Name: MLT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Ill. 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 New Horizon Mine conducted by Marcia Talvitie of the Colorado
DRMS on 31-Dec-2008. Tom Fry represented the operator, Western Fuels- Colorado, and was present
throughout the entire inspection. The inspection focused on the Support Facilities; the Overburden
Stockpile ("Mt. Nucla") and topsoil stockpiles located south of the Support Facilities area; and the
active pit operations.
Hydrologic Balance
A series of diversion ditches collects runoff from Mt. Nucla and directs the flow to Pond 007 via Ditch
C 18 (formerly 007 East ditch) along the southern edge of the Staats parcel. The ditch bottom and side
slopes were well vegetated and appeared to be stable with respect to erosion (Figure 1).
Support Facilities
Various materials were stored in the pallet storage area: equipment parts, excelsior rolls, heavy
equipment tires and rims, 5-gallon buckets (sealed and labeled), totes (empty), and four 55-gallon
drums (labeled). All items were stored on pallets or over secondary storage. The area was neat and
well-kept. Empty drums are collected behind the storage building, and periodically disposed of by a
licensed contractor. The fuel storage area is surrounded by a lined berm. Fuel tanks (gasoline and
diesel) are clearly identified. Drip buckets had been placed beneath the valves to catch any
potential leaks (Figure 2). Ice and snow were observed in the bottom of the bermed area, a result of
recent snowfall.
Topsoil
Topsoil stockpiles A, B, C and D were well vegetated and stable with respect to erosion. Signs
identifying the stockpiles as Topsoil were posted (Figure 3).
General Mine Plan Compliance
Roads were icy to muddy due to recent snowfall, and the shovel was undergoing repairs at the time of
the inspection. Mining activities are currently occurring in Cut 87, and the drill rig had progressed north
of the Prime Farmland area. Two bulldozers were active at the for northern end of the cut (Figure 4),
gleaning coal from the site of pre-law underground workings which had been accessed via Tuttle
Draw.
Fish & Wildlife
Several groups of mule deer were sighted during the inspection: on Mt. Nucla, crossing the Moore
parcel, and along Tuttle draw. Tom Fry mentioned that elk are also seen frequently within the permit
area during the winter months.
Reveaetation
WFC had scheduled various areas to be seeded during the fall of 2008. Due to circumstances beyond
the company's control (personal issues of the seeding contractor), the seeding was not
accomplished, but will be done during the next appropriate season.
Excess Spoil and Development Waste
The side slopes of "Mt. Nucla" are steep and rocky,with zones of shale (Figure 5). Vegetation is sparse;
Rabbit Brush appears to be the predominant species. The slopes do appear to be reasonably stable,
however, with respect to erosion (Figure 6).
New Horizon Mine C-1981-008 31-Dec-2008