_INSPECTION - C1981047 ‎(24)‎

• Permit No: C1981047
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 8/27/2009
• Email Name: JJD
• 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.
Piezometers and survey markers that had been located on the main mine site backfilled benches had
been reclaimed. The survey stakes and their associated pvc pipes had been pulled out and taken off
site. The piezometer pipes had been cut off at ground level and, along with the pvc pipes, had been
removed. Minrec had attempted to fill the piezometer holes with bentonite pellets, but the bentonite
pellets were bridging within the narrow piezometer holes. So, instead of filling the piezometer holes
with bentonite, the holes had been filled with soil. This revised reclamation process is acceptable
because the shallow depth piezometers were only in the backfill and did not penetrate any aquifers.
Minrec had sprayed some knapweed on the north side of the disturbed area and in an area next to
reclaimed pond 4. No other noxious weed occurrences were observed during the inspection.
The three underdrain pipes had been cut back to ground level and the pipe outlets were covered with
rocks.
The mine identification sign and the "records location" sign on the entrance gate had been removed.
Surface disturbance markers around the disturbed area had also been removed.
General Inspection
The road up Hubbard Creek canyon was dry and in good condition, as was the mine entrance road
over Hubbard Creek. The entrance gate was locked. The Hubbard Creek culvert was clear of any
debris. The gated entrance road and the Hubbard Creek culvert are to stay at the request of Oxbow
Mining. Also staying in place at the request of Oxbow Mining is the light use road that leads to the
reclaimed pond 5. The light use dirt road was in good condition and was passable.
There was a very good vegetative cover on the reclaimed slopes of the main mine site. There were no
indications of any erosional problems or slope stability issues. No cracks were seen in the backfill and
there were no indications of problems with the backfilled highwall. There was proper drainage on the
benches. The collection ditch that brings runoff around the reclaimed slopes had a good vegetative
cover and had sufficient capacity.
One of the underdrains at the base of the reclaimed slopes had a small seep. There were two
additional seeps further up the slope, one on the north end and the other in the central part of the
slope.
The vegetative cover at the reclaimed coal stockpile area was good. The upland diversion ditch was
well vegetated and had sufficient capacity.
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