_INSPECTION - C1981010 ‎(82)‎

• Permit No: C1981010
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 8/25/2009
• Email Name: JHB
• 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.
Revegetation: Two areas reclaimed in 2006 and 2005 were inspected. FAB-005 was walked. This area was
seeded aerially for small seeded species and drill seeded for larger seeded species. A considerable frequency of
Cheatgrass still persists on the FAB-006 reclamation parcel. Other perennial species area present; Thickspike
and slender wheatgrass, yarrow, wildrye, Sheep fescue, and occasional sagebrush could be observed on this
reclaimed area. Reclamation parcel FAB-005 has distinctly higher visual cover than FAB0-006, with many of
the same species observed on FA13-06. Though fewer weedy species were encountered , one noxious weed,
Musk thistle , exhibited a small patch. It appeared that this thistle patch.had been sprayed this summer. The
musk thistle showed signs of effect of herbicide. TCC will need to monitor the weeds and continue of their
ongoing efforts of the weed control plan. Environmental manager, Forrest Luke, said that the FAB-006 area
had been interseeded with the aerial mix in Fall 2008. Evidence of establishment of these species was not
obvious yet, through the existing vegetation.
Reclamation Success: The NW operators/CSU/DRMS shrub study was visited. As observed previously at
these study plots,the treatments reclaimed without topsoil continued to exhibit poor cover establishment. The
unfenced treatments showed signs of extensive browsing. A small heard of Pronghorn antelope were present in
the vicinity throughout the time we were in the plots. Graham indicated that there is a small herd that regularly
browses in this area. Antelope bitterbrush were the only woody species observed on the unfenced non-topsoiled
treatment. These individual plants were browsed to less than 4 inches in height. Fenced treatments showed
continued successful growth. The fenced non-topsoiled treatment had large(2.5 feet-3 feet high) antelope
bitterbrush. There had been signs of browsing within the fenced plots. Graham explained that wildlife
continues to get into the fence and TMI personnel continue to repair the fence, so browsing within the fence has
been minimized.
General Mine Plan: Graham indicated that the F pit currently has about 2 cuts left before it joins the western
endwall of the Z pit. F pit continues to be worked with 2 draglines. Z pit has progressed to the southeast extent
of its mine plan. Only a small pit remains in the Z pit and is being worked with the Molly Brown dragline. The
D pit is a small pit permitted to mine the I seam at the north end of the idle D pit. D pit is being mined with a
992 loader and 777 haul trucks. TMI indicated that they will use this pit to test the new mining equipment, the
LeToumeau Loader and the Koatsu 240 ton haul trucks.
No problems were identified during this inspection and no maintenance items were identified. The mine is
good condition and following the approved mine plan.
5 of 8 WHITE-File YELLOW-Operator PINK-Specialist