_INSPECTION - C1981022 ‎(16)‎

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 10/21/2010
• Email Name: MPB
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

October 21, 2010 C-1981-022/Elk Creek Mine MPB
Inspection Topic Summary
NOTE: Y=Inspected N=Not Inspected R=Comments Noted V=Violation Issued NA=Not Applicable
N -Air Resource Protection R -Roads
N -Availability of Records N -Reclamation Success
N -Backfill&Grading N -Revegetation
NA -Excess Spoil and Dev. Waste N - Subsidence
Y -Explosives N - Slides and Other Damage
N -Fish&Wildlife R - Support Facilities On-site
R -Hydrologic Balance N - Signs and Markers
N -Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan N - Support Facilities Not On-site
R -Other NA - Special Categories Of Mining
N -Processing Waste N -Topsoil
COMMENTS
INTRODUCTION
This was a partial inspection of the Elk Creek Mine conducted on October 21,2010 by Mike Boulay of the
Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety. I checked in at the mine office on the morning of October 21. Jim
Kiger,Environmental Manager for Oxbow Mining LLC routinely accompanies me on inspection but he was
unavailable that morning. He had gone out to the Bear Creek drainage to a drill pad site. Since he was not
available I conducted a partial inspection of the major mine site facility areas and was not accompanied by an
operator representative during the inspection. Weather conditions were overcast and cool at the time of the
inspection.
HYDROLOGIC BALANCE -Rule 4.05
Drainage Control 4.05.1,4.05.2,4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5,4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7,
4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring
4.05.13; Drainage—Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6,4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18:
Sediment Ponds A,B, and D were inspected. Ponds B and D were retaining water and the water levels in both of
these ponds were about 1-2 feet below the principal spillways. Pond A was retaining only a small amount of
water. Pond embankments were stable and discharge structures at all pond locations were functioning properly.
The Elk Creek Fan bench was inspected. The methane exhauster system was operating. Elk Creek located
adjacent to the gob vent borehole and methane ventilation system is well protected by a rock and earthen berm.
The large riprap and berm protect the creek from any potential impacts from the disturbed areas. Elk Creek is an
intermittent stream at this location and was not flowing(see attached Photograph No. 1)
Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 3
Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1
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