Laserfiche WebLink
M. COMMENTS - COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made during the <br />inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection and the facts or <br />evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />This was a partial inspection conducted by Joe Dudash of the Colorado DRMS. Bill Bear represented the <br />operator. The longwall is currently operating in the B8 panel, although methane problems continue in the mine. <br />Main Mine <br />There was only a little coal stockpiled on the coal stockpile bench adjacent to the highway and on the D seam <br />portal bench. The operator still is washing and shipping coal from West Elk. The West Elk coal is being trucked <br />over to Bowie No. 2 and the coal waste is being trucked back to West Elk for permanent storage. The operator is <br />doing a good job of controlling any coal dust on the haul road. <br />There was only a little standing water in pond B. The float was on the primary discharge hose and the pond's <br />primary discharge gated valve was closed. The pond embankment was stable and the ditches leading into pond <br />B had sufficient capacity. <br />The paved haul road was in good condition. The cut and fill slopes of the various mine benches were well <br />vegetated and appeared to be stable. Surface disturbance markers were up around the disturbed area and the <br />mine ID sign was up at the main entrance. The topsoil stockpile was well vegetated, although the vegetation was <br />turning brown due to the time of year. Topsoil signs were up. <br />Unit Train Loadout <br />There was no unit train on site. There was a little coal dust at the base of the loadout bin but it was not a <br />problem. The loadout bench outslope was well vegetated. Pond J and pond K were dry. <br />Hubbard Creek Loadout <br />The road leading to the site was in very good condition. Water from a seep was being channeled into a french <br />drain under the road. There was n6 activity on site although the entrance gate was open. The vent was <br />exhausting air from the mine. The methane pump had been removed and the operator will be constructing a vent <br />fan on the shaft within a month or so. Also, the operator will be installing a nitrogen generator housed in a <br />quonset but on site. <br />The upland diversion ditch was in place and had sufficient capacity. The riprapped section of the ditch was <br />intact. The mud pit used in drilling 'the vent shaft had been filled in. Surface disturbance markers and the mine id <br />sign were in place. The operator is working with the Division and the USDA-Forest Service on the appropriate <br />sediment control measures once the vent shaft facilities are completed. <br />c:/word2007/bowie2/insp0809