2017-05-01_INSPECTION - C1980007

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April 18, 2017 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine LDS Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 7 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 3 Page 3 of 10  RN-07 was found complete on February 1, 2016. The decision due date has been extended to May 5, 2017. PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES – Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: The wash plant was not operating since the coal currently being produced meets specifications without additional processing. The longwall move to panel E7 is anticipated in a few months at which time the wash plant is expected to be called into operation again. MCC needs to haul and grade more refuse on the RPEE surface before the swale can be constructed at the access point. It is anticipated that this project will be tackled later in the summer. SLIDES and DAMAGE - Rule 4.12: The slump on the outslope of the Materials Storage Bench (MSB) has continued to move and is being monitored by MCC. At the time of the inspection Weston Norris estimated the rate of displacement to be approximately half an inch per day. There was a clear bulge just below the midpoint of the slope, and a second bulge right at the toe which has compromised the ditch and the road. MCC have moved a communication pole on the bench, and have also moved some of the stored materials to remove weight from the affected area. More of the bench material had been excavated since the last inspection, and the excavation protected with a berm. MCC expects the bench material to continue to dry out and the movement to stop at some point; they do not intend to remove material from the toe of the bench or to attempt to repair the damage until movement has completely stopped. In the meantime the surface maintenance crew is maintaining flow in the ditch by clearing loose material. Some small surface slides on the road to the RPEE were evident, including at the point where the road accesses the refuse pile and a swale will be constructed, but they had been dealt with. There was a little damage on the diversion ditch on the eastern side of the RPEE. Mr. Gillenwater estimated that the ground would be dry enough to allow access for a repair within a week or so of the inspection. (MCC completed this repair, along with repairing the small scarp on the face pile during the week of 04/24/17) Another small surface slide was observed on the reclaimed outslope of the pile, Mr. Gillenwater though that this would also be accessible within the month and would be straightforward to repair, re-seed and protect with matting. Adjacent to the RPE, to the east, on the steep fill area below the RPEE road, a slide was noted earlier in the year which moved a large boulder. The slide has not had any impact of the road surface above it. Mr . Gillenwater plans to break up the boulder into smaller pieces and use the material in the slope repair. Again, this project will be tackled as and when the slope dries out later in the year. SUPPORT FACILITIES - Rule 4.04: Mike Peacock was in the forest above the facilities area at the time of the inspection, assessing access to the Mine Ventilation Borehole pads and roads.