_INSPECTION - C1981019 (57) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Colowyo C-1981-019 18 August 2009 Pg 9/ Revegetation/Reclamation Success (cont.): - The East Pit reclamation was walked from the Prospect Ditch to approximately the Gulch A ditch. The vegetation in this area is very thick, with the Great Basin Wild Rye being over seven feet tall this year. The one problem that was noted was there were a large number of bull and musk (and possible wavy-leaf) thistle in the area. Most of the thistles noted were single plants. Colowyo had indicated that they just completed spraying last month prior to our inspection (14 July 2009) but they either missed these plants or they emerged late. Unfortunately most of the plants have already gone to seed. The Division recommends that Colowyo spray these areas again this fall to help control their spread next year. Colowyo will need to conduct an intensive survey of their weeds next year as well, and spray as necessary to get them back under control. The remaining Gulch A watershed and the Streeter Gulch watershed will be walked next month and reported at that time. *See pictures at the end of this inspection for pictures of the Gulch A reclamation.* Highwall Mining: - Currently Colowyo had ICG on site performing highwall mining. The highwall mining was taking place in the E2-Seam in the Taylor Draw area of the South Taylor Pit. They were moving the highwall miner to the next hole location at the time of the inspection. There were four holes currently open while all of the rest have been filled (as required by the permit). There is a large stockpile of coal behind the highwall miner that Colowyo will move out at some point (they are mining from south to north). ICG will be underming the ready line for the South Taylor Pit. Although Colowyo's highwall mining plan is designed for zero subsidence, Colowyo is taking extra precautions in this area. In the first hole under the ready line, Colowyo is having ICG mine the entire depth possible. After leaving a pillar (based on their design), they are only mining the next hole to within 100 feet of the ready line. Based on this plan Colowyo is only mining every other hole under the ready line. This area is constructed on fill and it is constantly monitored by Colowyo. Any subsidence will be immediately fixed. *See pictures at the end of this inspection report for the ICG highwall mining area.* Availability of Records: - All of the necessary records were available in the record room in the office building. See the Availability of Records form at the end of this inspection. This completes the 18 August 2009 inspection report for the Colowyo Mine.