REP35442

• Permit No: C1981038
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 12/9/1998
• Doc Name: OLD WASTE PILE, OSM SPECIAL OVERSIGHT INSEPCTION RESOLUTION OF EXISTING SITUATION BOWIE 1 MINE PN
• From: JIM PENDLETON
• To: JOE DUDASH
• Permit Index Doc Type: Waste Pile/Fill Report
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman SL, Roam 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
DATE: December 9, 1998
TO: Joe Dudash
c
FROM: Jim Pendleton
RE: Old W e Pi SM Special Oversight Inspection
Resolution of Existing Situation, Bowie No. 1 Mine
(Permit No: C-81-038)
II~~~
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Roy Rnmer
Gnvemor
dames S. Lo<hhead
E¢eculrve Direcbr
Michael B. Long
Division Director
I have reviewed the information regarding the Bowie No. 1 "old" waste pile, which you
forwarded to my attention. As I understand the situation, a question regarding
certification of the as-built pile arose during a joint special oversight inspection with OSM.
Further, the consulting engineers to Bowie Resources, Inc., who now owns and operates
the mine, declined to certify the pile as having been constructed in accordance with the
approved plan. Since the outslope is apparently over-steepened, it is rather obvious that
it was riot constructed in accordance with the approved design.
Having a recollection of the original permanent program permitting of the Orchard Valley
Mine, now the Bowie No. 1 Mine, I am not surprised that such an oversight might have
occurred. In relation to the significant permitting adequacy problems regarding topics
such as overall stability of the surface facilities, sediment control, and subsidence control,
the old waste pile was a minor concern at the time. As your documentation describes,
allowances were made to allow the operator to complete the pile and begin use of the
new pile. The old pile had a spontaneous combustion problem following its first remedial
treatment and had to be extinguished. It is possible that additional material was placed at
that time to cap the pile and prevent ignition. My recollection is vague concerning this
distant past. Realistically, I'm pessimistic that records research would enlighten us
concerning the topic of the exact total volume of the pile. Relatively speaking, however,
the pile is small. In my opinion an extensive investigation to establish whether the
volume is small ± 10% would be an inappropriate expenditure of time and effort.
In accordance with our regulations and the approved permit the old waste pile should
have been certified. It was not. To his credit, the consultant is not willing to certify a
pile he does not believe meets the design requirements. Certification of the pile by any