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Keenesburg Midterm 5 Page 1 May 1, 2009
<br />Section I-Introduction
<br />Midterm Review Process
<br />The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) initiated this internal review in accordance
<br />with Rule 2.08.3 of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (Act) and the Regulations of the
<br />Colorado Mind Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining (Rules). The permit is required to be
<br />reviewed every two and a half years, or mid-way through the permit term, in accordance with Rules
<br />2.06.2(10), 2.06.3(4)(a), 2.06.5(3)(c), 2.06.7(5), 2.08.3(1) and 3.02.2(4). The Keenesburg Mine does not
<br />have any of the special circumstances outlined by Rules 2.06.2(l 0) (experimental practices),
<br />2.06.3(4)(a) (mountaintop removal), 2.06.5(3)(c) (steep slope mining), and 2.06.7(5)(combined surface
<br />and underground operations).
<br />The Coors Energy Company (CEC) is permitted, by Permit C1981-028, to conduct surface coal mining
<br />and reclamation operations at the Keenesburg Strip Mine. This mine is located on private lands in Weld
<br />County, Colorado, approximately seven miles north of Keenesburg, Colorado, at the north end of an
<br />extension to Weld County Road 59. That portion of the permit area where mining took place is located
<br />in Sections 25 and 36, Township 33 North, Range 64 West of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado.
<br />Mining was accomplished in two surface pits, Pit A and Pit B. An access road right of way and some
<br />topsand (sandy topsoil) storage areas are located in Sections 2 and 11, Township 2 North, Range 64
<br />West, and in Sections 25 and 36, Township 3 North, Range 64 West, of the 6th P.M., Weld County,
<br />Colorado. The total permit area contains 612.5 acres. CEC operations disturbed 439 acres within the
<br />permit area.
<br />History
<br />The permit was first issued on November 3, 1981. It was renewed on November 3, 1986, November 3,
<br />1991, November 3, 1996, November 3, 2001, and November 3, 2006. Approval of a technical revision
<br />to the permit in 1987 (TR13) provided for the controlled disposal of flyash as a portion of the backfill of
<br />mine pits. Coal extraction operations ceased in December 1987 (Findings, Permit Renewal No. 2,
<br />March 17, 1992), and operations at the site have been limited to reclamation since that time. Disposal of
<br />hard rock mine wastes was permitted via a minor revision (MR34, August 11, 1996) and a small amount
<br />of hard rock waste was placed in Pit B. Backfill of Pit A was completed in September 1998, and the
<br />placement of topsoil and initial seeding was accomplished in 1999 (1999 Annual Reclamation Report).
<br />The permit renewal (RN5) of November 3, 2006 allowed for continuation of flyash disposal and
<br />reclamation activities. Reclamation activities consist of progressive backfill of Pit B with flyash,
<br />followed by placement of spoil and topsoil (topsand) cover, and seeding.
<br />Reclamation work remaining at the site includes the completion of Pit B backfill, demolition of the
<br />remaining temporary facilities, grading, placement of topsoil and seeding.
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