2014-07-02_INSPECTION - C1980007

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Mine Site Inspection Mine Name: West Elk Mine Permittee: Mountain Coal Company, LLC Permit ID #: C -1980 -007 Inspection Date: 5/20/2014 Start Time: 8:10 a.m. End Time: 12:15 p.m. Inspection Type: Coal Partial/Topic Specific -Coal Mine Waste Banks Weather Conditions: Participants: Spencer Shumate, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) #545 Jeremy Spangler, (OSMRE) Jim Stark, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (DRMS) Jessica Loveland, Mountain Coal, LLC Weston Norris, Mountain Coal, LLC Coal Mine Waste (Rules 4.10 and 4.11) Refuse Pile East Extension (RPEE) Activity at the refuse pile east extension (RPEE) was not occurring at the time of our inspection. We', did observe a small pile of refuse that has not been worked in this area. Water was not ponding on this refuse pile and all perimeter drainages were in place with no visual concerns. The underdrain was exposed (approximately 50') at the toe because of the extension of the fill. Slope measurements were recorded on the face of the three benches of the RPEE pile to ensure the operator has constructed the refuse pile within the maximum allowable slope of 2:5:1 (40 %). Each measurement was confirmed with a 3 8 -40% slope. Some minor rilling is evident at the toe of the first bench and will require maintenance to ensure that the overall stability of the refuse pile is not jeopardized. Additionally, maintenance is needed on the east side of the RPEE where the fiber matting and straw waddles have been degraded due to surface movement. This slope is fairly steep and has had a history of slippage but the causes of what facilitated this are not clear. We speculate that the winter snow loading and spring melt may have contributed to the damage. Regardless of what the reason may be for the failure of the BMP's, it is important to consider all potential factors and ensure that the BMP's are installed correctly and even possibly reinforced in this area. Refuse Pile East (RPE) The RPE is currently being utilized to temporarily store and dry the refuse before material is hauled up to the RPEE for final disposal and grading. A small ditch has been cut in the middle at the RPE area to ensure that there is positive drainage from the temporary storage area to the RPE Pond via the east ditch. Water was not ponding on the surface of the stockpile area. West Elk has recently finished grading, topsoil redistribution and reseeding a portion of the east end of the RPE. A successful first season establishment of vegetation is obvious. A measurement of soil depth was not verified during this inspection.