Laserfiche WebLink
III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during <br />the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the <br />facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a complete inspection conducted by Janet Binns of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining <br />and Safety. Mr. Brian Watterson of Twentymile Coal Company accompanied the field portion of the <br />inspection. The Foidel Creek Mine is a large active underground mine. The weather was mild, dry and <br />partly cloudy on the second day of the inspection. <br />Records: Records were checked at the mine office. Records were updated and in good order. TCC <br />provided copies of CPDS reports for August 2008 for CO-G072578, Jan. & Feb. 2009 for the same <br />CDPHE permit number and 4th Quarter 2008 for CO-0042161. TCC could not readily find records for <br />CO-GO72758 Jan & Feb 2008. TCC contacted CDPHE requesting copies of these reports be sent to <br />DRMS & TCC. TCC believes that these reports were misfiled. TCC also provided detail regarding the <br />change in CPDS # for CO-G072272/CO-G072758. Records checklist with comments is include as a part <br />of this report. <br />Roads: Haul Roads and access roads throughout the mine are in relatively good condition. Snow melt <br />and recent precipitation has left some portions of roads muddy, but these areas are limited and roadways <br />are beginning to dry up. As roads and ditches begin to dry, TCC is reshaping ditches and cleaning <br />culverts as needed. 6MN access road at the Fish Creek crossing held up well this runoff season. Most <br />ditches around facilities area are functional. TCC continues to maintain these ditches. TCC was <br />spraying the haul roads for dust control both days of the inspection. <br />Hydrologic Balance: Ponds throughout mine are discharging. 6MN pond had been pumped 4/17, 4/18, <br />and 4/19/2009 to maintain adequate freeboard. Mr. Watterson reported that water samples were <br />collected as required when discharging 6MN pond. On 4/21/09 6MN pond had approximately 21/z ft. <br />freeboard and the pump was reported to have been shut off the morning on 4/20/2009. 6MN reservoir <br />has begun to fill with snow melt run off. As-built certification for 6MN Reservoir has not been provided <br />to DRMS yet. This certification needs to be provided to DRMS and on file at the mine. Current water <br />level was approximately 5 ft. below the armored spillway elevation. The inspector took several slope <br />measurements on 6MN reservoir embankments. <br />East side of embankment: inslope=16°, outslope=20°, <br />South side of embankment: inslope=20.5°, outslope=19°, <br />South side of embankment (W) inslope=24°, outslope=25°. <br />6MN Upland Diversion ditch had a good flow of runoff. Ditch sides are steep. These side slopes need a <br />gentler grade. <br />TCC needs to complete hydraulic oil spill at 6MN facilities area. Sump and berm and previous <br />cleanup efforts appear to have kept the distribution of the oil to the former compressor building area but <br />final cleanup of this spill needs to happen. <br />18RT facilities area has also had a spill. Snow is melted off and a hydrocarbon liquid had been spilled <br />on the N injection hole drill area. Runoff from this drill pad runs into a ditch and then to a sump. <br />Spilled material has been contained in the sump. There was no evidence of any discharge of water or <br />hydrocarbon material from the sump. TCC placed absorbent pads into the sump on 4/21 after spill was <br />discovered. Clean up of the used pads and replacement with fresh pads is needed on 4/22. TCC <br />3 of 7 WHITE - File YELLOW - Operator PINK - Specialist