_INSPECTION - C1981022 (55) - Laserfiche WebLink

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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 complete inspection of the Elk Creek Mine conducted on June 23, 2010 by Mike Boulay of the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety(DRMS). Howard Strand, Christine Belka, and Christy Hulsman from the Office of Surface Mining(OSM) conducted a complete oversight inspection and three special focus evaluations (signs &markers, de-gas borehole reclamation success, and de-gas borehole prevention of off-site impacts). Jim Kiger, Environmental Manager from Oxbow Mining, LLC (OMLLC) was present during the entire inspection. Weather conditions were sunny and warm and ground conditions were dry at the site. Numerous gob vent borehole (GVB) sites and associated drill pads and light use drill roads were inspected as part of the special focus evaluation and complete inspection. At the start of the inspection the pertinent sections of the permit application package regarding methane drainage wells and supporting permit documentation were reviewed by DRMS, OMLLC and OSM participants at the Elk Creek Mine office. Mr. Kiger gave an overview of Colorado's Roadless Rule and discussed specific requirements for accessing and drilling on USFS lands. Conditions of Surface Use for GVB sites as specified by the USFS with the recent approval of Technical Revision No.'s 64 and 65 (TR-64 &TR-65) were also reviewed prior to the inspection. To provide a good overview of reclamation success and prevention of off-site impacts with regard to methane drainage wells, a variety of GVB sites were inspected ranging from newly drilled boreholes to various stages of reclamation including fully reclaimed GVB sites. The inspection began at the Bear Creek Road and proceeded to the northwest on various light use roads accessing BLM and USFS property. Along the Bear Creek Road the Bear Creek Ventilation Fan site was operational and methane was being vented (see attached Photograph No. 1). There were no methane drainage wells being drilled at the time of the inspection. During the afternoon the Elk Creek Fan site was inspected. With Technical Revision No. 68, OMLLC was approved to install a steel cased methane drainage borehole and construct a twin electric driven methane exhauster system. The methane exhauster system would be similar to the facility located at the Bear Creek Fan site facility. The new location is at the far end of the disturbance boundary on the Elk Creek drainage specifically at the North SAE. Elk Creek is immediately adjacent to the Fan site facility. The Division has previously approved the diversion of an intermittent stream (Elk Creek). The stream channel will be reconstructed in accordance with 4.05.4(4). The Division has also approved surface and underground mining operations within and through Elk Creek, an intermittent stream at this location(see RN-5 Findings document dated February 9, 2009). Construction is well underway at the Elk Creek Fan site methane drainage facility. The methane drainage well has been completed and the concrete foundations are being constructed for the methane exhausters housing(see Photograph No. 2). Permit disturbance boundary markers were in place at the construction site and OMLLC has done a good job at constructing a rock and earthen berm to protect the creek from the disturbed area.