2018-09-04_REVISION - C1980007 (11)

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51 the West Elk Mine. This variance is discussed further in Section VIII, Coal Mine Waste Banks in this Findings Document. After the soil has been replaced, the surface is loosened and roughened by disking, harrowing, or dragging, which will increase infiltration, thereby reducing surface runoff. Various conditioners and neutralizers may be used to modify seedbed conditions, or enhance vegetative cover. V. Sealing of Drilled Holes and Underground Openings 1. The Division will require that each hole, well or other underground opening be capped, sealed, backfilled, or otherwise properly managed (4.07.3). VI. Use of Explosives 1. Mining techniques used at the West Elk Mine do not require blasting as part of the regular extraction cycle. Occasionally, explosives are used for underground construction purposes. These uses only require small quantities of explosives. MCC's Explosives Handling and Blasting Procedures are presented in Exhibit 41 of the permit document. Map 53 shows the location of the powder magazine. Limited application of explosives may be necessary for additional future surface construction. Pursuant to Rule 4.08.1(2), blasts that use more than five pounds of explosives or a blasting agent will be conducted according to the blasting schedule required by 4.08.3. As appropriate, a pre-blasting survey will be performed (4.08.2). VII. Disposal of Excess Spoil 1. The West Elk Mine will not require a disposal area for excess spoil (4.09). VIII. Coal Mine Waste Banks The West Elk Mine is currently permitted for five refuse disposal areas – the Lower Refuse Pile (LRP), the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE), the Refuse Pile Expansion East (RPEE), the Upper Refuse Pile and the Lone Pine Refuse Pile. The Upper Refuse Pile has not been constructed and is on indefinite hold. Specific information on that waste pile can be found in Exhibit 50 of the permit application package. Construction of the LRP is complete and a coal processing plant has been constructed on top of it. The design for the LRP, RPE and RPEE are contained in Exhibits 51, 70 and 82, respectively. As of 2018 refuse is being disposed of on the RPEE. The LRP is located adjacent to Highway 133, at the west side of the mouth of Sylvester Gulch. MCC initially proposed the disposal of waste rock within two waste piles in the original permit application. One pile, the "initial waste rock pile," would contain approximately 1.25 million cubic yards and would be located on the lower facilities bench (the current location of the shop). Subsequent to permit approval, this initial waste rock pile was deleted from MCC's permit.