Colorado PUC E-Filings System Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Overview Department of Regulatory Agencies Public Utilities Commission July 9, 2013
DRMS Organization Department of Natural Resources DRMS Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board Office of Active and Inactive Mines Office of Mined Land Reclamation Colorado Inactive Mine Reclamation Program Coal Regulatory Program Mine Safety Training Program Minerals Regulatory Program
Coal Program
Statutory and Regulatory Authorities Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 34-33-101--Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act 1970 Regulations of Colorado Mined land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining
Coal Regulatory Program The Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (Coal Act) was passed by the Colorado General Assembly in response to the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 (PL 95-87). SMCRA requires all coal mines in the United States to meet minimum performance standards for environmental and public protection and reclamation. A state may gain primacy and administer its own program under this Act provided that the state coal mining and reclamation law and regulatory program meet national minimum requirements. Federal Oversight of the program is conducted by the Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining.
Coal Mining in Colorado There are currently nine active coal sites producing coal; six are underground mines, three are surface mines. Last year (2012) Colorado produced 28,791,021 ton of coal. The industry employs about 2,000 miners.
Colorado Coal Regions
Coal Stats FY 11-12 # of active mines includes prospecting 166 # of Acres Permitted 171,050 # of New Permit Applications/ Modifications 182 # of Inspections completed 443 # of Citizens Complaints 4 # of NOV issued 8 # of Acres /Reclaimed/Released 366 Financial Warranty $199 M
Objectives of Regulatory Program Objective #1: Promote the responsible development of the State s mineral and energy resources while protecting public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. Objective #2: Reclaim coal mined acres to beneficial post mining land use. Objective #3: Protect the environment by ensuring regulatory compliance at coal mine sites. Objective #4: Coordinate permitting, regulatory and public review processes with federal, state and local agencies and implement interagency agreements for groundwater, storm water, point source and mine waste issues.
Coal Mine Methane Drainage/Monitoring Wells Methane drainage wells are utilized in underground coal mine operations Wells are typically drilled and installed above projected longwall panels for the purpose of pre and post-mining gas removal. Reducing methane content in the mine significantly contributes to mine safety and productivity. Methane drainage wells may passively vent to the surface or may require pumping to liberate methane from underground.
Working Gob Vent hole at Bowie
In Active Vent Well at Bowie
Inactive or Abandoned Mines Mine program addresses hazards and environmental problems associated with abandoned or inactive legacy mines. Mine properties that operated prior to 1977 before reclamation laws were enacted. 23,000 abandoned mines
Abandoned Mines in Colorado
Coal Mine Hazards
Coal Mine Fire Abatement Thirty-four known AML coal mine fires exist statewide: Clearing Vegetation for Wild Fire Mitigation Exclusion Fencing for Public Protection Subsidence Abatement Coal Fire Control and extinguishment where possible
Coal Mine Fires and Methane Evaluated Relationship Of Fires to Natural Methane Seeps; In Limited Cases, Methane May Provide Fuel to Fires In Many Cases, Heating Releases Methane Down-Dip Interception of Methane Not Required For Successful Fire Abatement.