_INSPECTION - C1981022 ‎(58)‎

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 8/19/2009
• Email Name: MLT
• 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.
This was a Partial Inspection of the Elk Creek Mine conducted by Marcia Talvitie of the Colorado DRMS
beginning at 9:30 a.m. on 19 August 2009. Jim Kiger represented the operator, Oxbow Mining LLC,
during the inspection. The weather was clear and warm.
Permitting
• OMLLC continues to work to gain approval from the USDA for construction of the three methane
ventilation boreholes (and associated temporary light use roads) that fall within the bounds of the
Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) in the northeast corner of the permit boundary. These holes were
originally included in the application for TR-62, but were deleted from consideration due to the IRA
issues.
• OMLLC has been in pursuit of a new coal lease with the BLM for lands immediately east of the
current permit boundary. The Environmental Assessment (EA,) conducted by a third party
consultant on behalf of the BLM, is due to be published with the next Federal Register Notice.
OMLLC will not be able to view the EA prior to its release to the public.
• Vessels Gas is exploring the possibility of constructing a methane gathering system at the mine, with
collection lines running on the ground surface and leading to the Bear Creek Fansite. The methane
would then be flared off at the Fansite, allowing the accumulation of carbon credits.
• When construction of the Bear Creek Fansite is complete, OMLLC will submit As-Built plans for
incorporation into the permit application package. In accordance with Rule 2.10.3(1)(e), the
Division requests that the revision application include details for the power line that was constructed
to supply the Fansite substation. This information has previously been provided for other Elk Creek
Mine facilities as follows:
Map series 2.05-M 1 - General Facilities illustrates power pole locations on Sheets 1, 2 and 3.
They are not included on Sheet 4, but Sheet 5 shows power poles and lines.
Exhibit 2.05-E 1 includes a series of maps which detail the Powerline Layout for Hubbard
Canyon Ventilation Facilities No. 2. Figure No. S-101 in the same Exhibit illustrates the Elk
Creek powerline.
Roads
• The Elk Creek roads were in good condition and surfaces were damp.
• Bear Creek Canyon Road was dry from SH 133 to the Fansite. The road was slightly rutted, but in fair
condition overall.
Hydrologic Balance
• Ponds A1, B and D have been recently dredged. Muck removed from the ponds has been placed
in the East Yard Pond for drying, prior to being hauled to the Coal Refuse Facility.
• The water level in Pond D had been lowered by pumping, in order to re-tar the surface of the
corrugated metal pipe which is the primary spillway. Pond slopes were well-vegetated and stable,
with no signs of rills or gullies (Figure 1).
• Pond E was dry; the entire pond floor is grass-covered.
• Pond F at the Hubbard Creek Fansite is overgrown with cattails and willows.
Elk Creek Mine C-1981-022 19-Aug-2009
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