2016-12-14_INSPECTION - C1981012

Home Browse Search

November 16, 2016 C-1981-012/New Elk Mine RAR Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 3 of 10 o The mine site identification signs at the entrance to the site appeared intact, displaying all required information: mine name, operator name, address, phone number and DRMS permit number and contact information. 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). o The roads into and around the facility were inspected. Road to RDA had been graded. o Overall, it appears the operator maintains roads in good working order with the exception of: road to water tank requires grading. (Maintenance item #9) o Mr. Zuber in the June 2016 inspection report recommended the placement of sediment control structures at the toe of fill slopes on the RDA road. o Water trucks were observed being filled with pumpage from Pond 7 and road watering was taking place with this pumpage in order to reduce pond volume. SUPPORT FACILITIES- Rule 4.04: o Support facilites were idle as the mine is not currently operating. o The slurry injection system remains in place but is not in use at this time. o The repair of sediment control BMP’s at the upper water tanks appeared to be functioning adequately at the time of inspection. o Facilities observed at New Elk site at the time of inspection appeared in good repair, neat and orderly HYDROLOGIC BALANCE- Rule 4.05 General Requirements 4.05.1; Effluent Standards 4.05.2; Divergence and Conveyance of Overland Flow 4.05.3; Diversions 4.05.4; Sediment Control Measures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7; Impoundments 4.05.9; Underground Mine Entry 4.05.10; Surface and Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: Willows in ditches and ponds can be problematic, impeding water flow and capturing debris during high precipitation events thus compromising modeled water transport capacities. Established willows and a couple of established junipers have taken up residence in pond four. As the pond receives runoff from an area that has been reclaimed and comprises a small volume of water, the pond appears to be functioning adequately as is at this time. o Pond 001A was holding water but not discharging. The liner was in place. No problems were noted. o Pond 006A, held water but was not discharging. Structures appeared to be adequately functioning. A pumping system was in place to pump water from the pond to water trucks. Water trucks for road watering were observed being filled at the time of inspection, and road watering was taking place. o Pond 007A had been pumped almost dry. The sediment from the pond will be removed to the RDA sometime during the 2016/2017 winter. o Pond 08 was recently pumped (6 September 2016), and held some water due to recent precipitation. Embankments appeared stable and adequately vegetated at the time of inspection. o Pond 4 held some water and is densely populated with established willows.