_INSPECTION - C1981022 (42) - Laserfiche WebLink

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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 Elk Creek Mine conducted by Marcia Talvitie of the Colorado DRMS beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, 26 February 2009. Jim Kiger represented the operator, Oxbow Mining LLC, during the inspection. The weather was chilly and partly cloudy, and the area had received a sizable precipitation event (rain and/or snow) on February 23rd. Ground surfaces throughout the permit area were either wet, muddy, or snow-covered. Availability of Records Records were available at the OMLLC office for inspection. A completed DRMS Availability of Records form is attached to this report. Roads Roads throughout the permit area were moist due to the recent precipitation event, but passable by vehicle. Hydrologic Balance • Elk Creek was flowing at a very low rate into the culvert that runs beneath the upper fan bench. • Pond Al appeared to be full or nearly so. • Pond B was full and still predominantly covered with ice. • Pond C-The bottom of the pond appeared to be muddy, but there was no standing water. • Pond D - This pond was nearly full at the time of the inspection, with a low-volume discharge into the Elk Creek culvert below. Sampling of the discharge had occurred earlier in the month. Impoundment banks were well vegetated, and appeared to be stable with respect to erosion (Figure 1). Pond E was dry. • Pond F-The side slopes were still covered with snow, and the small amount of water in the bottom of the pond was frozen. • East Yard Pond -The pond bottom was partially covered with a shallow puddle of water. The outer fill slope of the East Yard, above the railroad tracks, was stable and well vegetated along its entire length (Figure 2). • Substation No. 3 Pond-The ditch approaching the pond from the west showed signs of recent flow; the culvert inlet was clear. The ditch approaching the pond from the east was dry, with vegetation well established. The bottom of the pond was nearly covered with water and ice (Figure 3). No discharge had yet occurred through the primary dewatering pipe. Explosives Explosives and blasting caps are stored in separate magazines. Jim Kiger said that ATF had conducted an inspection the previous week, for the purpose of renewing the company's Explosives permit. The steel protecting one lock required an upgrade. This was fixed; renewal of the permit is expected. Support Facilities A diesel tank was stored at the East Yard. The tank was empty, and should be tagged as such, in order to negate requirements for secondary containment. Elk Creek Mine C-1981-022 26-Feb-2009 -1-