_INSPECTION - C1981022 ‎(27)‎

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 1/12/2010
• Email Name: MPB
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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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 on January 12, 2010 by
Mike Boulay of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety(DRMS). Marcia
Talvitie of the DRMS met with me prior to going to the mine site to transfer her copies of
the permit document and files as I will be taking over as the lead DRMS inspector for this
mine site from this point forward. Ms. Talvitie accompanied me to the mine and
introduced me to Jim Kiger, Environmental Manager for Oxbow Mining LLC (OMLLC).
Mr. Kiger provided an orientation of the mine site and then accompanied me during a
partial inspection of the major mine site facility areas. Ms. Talvitie participated in the
orientation but did not attend the site inspection. Weather conditions were sunny and
cold. The majority of the mine site was snow covered at the time of the inspection.
The main access road, the office, warehouse, shop, and the employee parking areas were
muddy but perimeter areas were well kept.
The reclaimed Sanborn Creek portals and the Sanborn Creek fan site, topsoil pile and
sediment pond were inspected. Facilities located along the Elk Creek, Bear Creek, and
Hubbard Creek drainages were also inspected. Roads accessing these drainages were
partially snow packed but all mine facility areas were accessible. Roads were well
maintained and stable. Cut slopes along these drainages appeared to be stable with no
apparent slides or damage. Facilities along these drainages including the downhill
conveyor from the Elk Creek Portals to the coal stockpile, Pond D and the explosives
storage area were all in good condition. The Bear Creek vent and fan site appeared to be
very well maintained. The Hubbard Creek facilities including the remaining fan site, one
borehole location use for water monitoring and two remaining sediment ponds were all
viewed and no problems were identified.
No problems were noted at any of the mine site facility areas during this inspection.