Laserfiche WebLink
January 18,2011 C-1981-012/New Elk Mine KAG <br /> Inspection Topic Summary <br /> NOTE: Y=Inspected N=Not Inspected R=Comments Noted V=Violation Issued NA=Not Applicable <br /> N -Air Resource Protection R -Roads <br /> N -Availability of Records N -Reclamation Success <br /> N -Backfill&Grading N -Revegetation <br /> N -Excess Spoil and Dev.Waste N - Subsidence <br /> N -Explosives N -Slides and Other Damage <br /> N -Fish&Wildlife R - Support Facilities On-site <br /> R -Hydrologic Balance N - Signs and Markers <br /> N -Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan R -Support Facilities Not On-site <br /> N -Other N - Special Categories Of Mining <br /> N -Processing Waste N -Topsoil <br /> COMMENTS <br /> This was a partial inspection conducted by Kent Gorham of the Colorado Division of Reclamation,Mining, and <br /> Safety. Vince Massaroti of New Elk Coal Company was present during the inspection. Activities associated with <br /> rehabilitation of the mine site and the underground workings for future coal production continue. Ground <br /> conditions on this day were generally dry with patchy snow present in shaded areas. The weather was excellent, <br /> with clear skies and moderate temperatures. <br /> Hydrologic Balance <br /> The operator continues work to line the bottom of Pond 001,the mine dewatering pond. Side slopes of the pond <br /> have been graded and covered with a uniform thickness of fine soil material hauled in from off-site. <br /> The operator is also pursuing permitting with the Army Corps of Engineers to permit cleanout of the two culverts <br /> in the Purgatoire River under the mine access road. DRMS permitting is already in place to allow for cleanout of <br /> these two large culverts. <br /> The RDA sediment pond was 8-10 feet below the lowest point of discharge on the primary riser. Significant <br /> capacity for water and sediment exists before this pond would discharge. The east downdrain where it meets the <br /> lowest terrace bench should be re-shaped to keep flows confined to the downdrain to prevent future problems. <br /> Roads <br /> Mine roads around the facility area were found in excellent condition. The operator was actively and effectively <br /> watering roads to minimize fugitive dust. <br /> Support Facilities Not On-site <br /> Both the lower and upper Apache fan shaft sites were visited. Markers were noted at both locations. The upper <br /> site is fenced and the fenced gate was closed and locked. Both facilities appeared normal. <br /> Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 6 <br /> Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />