2014-04-29_INSPECTION - C1981012

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April 21, 2014 C- 1981- 012/New Elk Mine LDS It was stressed that the status of the mine must be changed from "temporary cessation" to "active" before any mining activity could occur. Several permitting actions are in progress: • TR68 (which is a response to MT6). The proposed decision due date has been extended to April 30, 2014. The Division has received a response to the adequacy letters of November 27, 2013 & January 24, 2014, and is in the process of reviewing it. • TR69 (which is to abate NOV CV 2013 -009). An initial adequacy review was sent to NECC on April 3, 2014. The proposed decision due date is April 29, 2014 • RN6 has been found complete, but can't be reviewed for adequacy until TR68 has been approved PROCESSING WASTE /COAL MINE WASTE PILES — Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: All mine staff had been given shovels for two days to clear spilled refuse from underneath the RDA conveyor. A small berm had been left between the light -use road and the conveyor. ROADS — Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3); Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4); Surfacing and Maintenance 4.03). 1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6); Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): All of the roads around the mine site were passable and well maintained. None of the roads showed any sign of the recent precipitation. The RDA access road had been improved but not yet re- permitted for use as a haul road. REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover, Timing: Several areas had recently been seeded and mulched. The state of germination of the seed was closely related to the amount of sun each area receives. Certified weed -free straw had been purchased and was being stored under cover. SUPPORT FACILITIES - Rule 4.04: The fire hydrant to the east of pond 1 is plumbed in, but is not a finished job. The hydrant is too low by several feet. Raising it is not as simple as adding a section of pipe beneath the hydrant because there is a structure inside to drain the riser and prevent problems with it freezing in cold temperatures. OFFSITE SUPPORT FACILIITES - Rule 4.04,4.28: The airshafts up Apache Canyon and the groundwater monitoring locations in the Rancho Escondido subdivision were inspected. The Jansen load -out was inspected and was found to be clean and weed free. Mr Masarotti described recent problems with trespassers coming onto the site. Concrete barricades and spiked metal grids had been placed in an attempt to restrict access. Additionally, two motion sensitive cameras had been concealed in trees. During the Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 6 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 Page 6 of 23