_INSPECTION - C1981022 ‎(29)‎

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 9/23/2009
• 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.
added GVB pad sites for future longwall panels 15, 16, 18 and 19.
• OMLLC has contracted with a drilling company and a geologist to complete construction of
the approved boreholes this year.
• Due to the steepness of the terrain, GVB 15-01 A and -01 B will be accessed from the level of
the roadway below, rather than the temporary road shown on the map. Angle drilling may
be employed.
• A prep crew was working on the pad for GVB 15-03 (Figure 2), and topsoil had been pushed
to the uphill and downhill sides of the disturbed area. Jim Kiger directed the crew to be sure
to strip topsoil completely away from the downhill toe of slope so that none of the resource is
buried during grading of the site.
• Drilling of GVBs 15-06 and 15-07 had been completed and the sites were partially backfilled.
Equipment was observed working at 15-08, backfilling the mud pit (Figure 3) following drilling
and installation of the borehole casing.
• GVB 16-01 A and -Ol B were had been recently completed. At the time of the inspection,
drilling equipment was located at GVB 16-05 (Figure 4) and the pad site for 16-04 had been
freshly prepared for commencement of drilling operations.
• Exploration drilling of GVBs 18-01 A, 18-03, 19-01 A and 19-03 has already been accomplished.
19-03 is constructed on a sandy area; erosion control mats were being placed on the outer
slopes to prevent erosion (Figure 5). Because panels 18 and 19 will not be mined in the very
near future, the holes have been sealed off and the mud pits have been backfilled.
Completion of the boreholes for methane ventilation will be accomplished at a later date.
Air Resource Protection
• A water truck was actively spraying the roads and parking areas during the inspection. No
problems with dust were observed.
• The CDPHE Air Quality Bureau conducted an inspection of the Elk Creek Mine at the end of
August.
Excess Spoil & Development Waste
o The top level of the II West Coal Refuse area had been recently compacted using a
sheepsfoot roller. Jim Kiger said that compaction tests had been done earlier in the week
and that results would be submitted to the DRMS.
Reclamation Success
• We stopped at two recent exploration sites that have been partially reclaimed. The ground
surface had been returned to its approximate original contour; topsoil had been
redistributed; and the surface had been roughened. Rocks and wood debris had been
scattered over the surface, creating a very appealing appearance (Figure 6).
• OMLLC has implemented what appears to be a well-designed and executed program for
pad site development, drilling, operation and ultimately reclamation when the purpose has
been served.
The inspection concluded at 3:45 p.m.
Elk Creek Mine C-1981-022 23-Sep-2009
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