Laserfiche WebLink
May 7,2021 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine LDS <br /> Inspection Topic Summary <br /> NOTE: Y Inspected N=Not Inspected R=Comments Noted V=Violation Issued NA=Not Applicable <br /> N -Air Resource Protection N -Roads <br /> N -Availability of Records R -Reclamation Success <br /> N -Backfill&Grading N -Revegetation <br /> N -Excess Spoil and Dev. Waste N - Subsidence <br /> N -Explosives N - Slides and Other Damage <br /> N -Fish&Wildlife R - Support Facilities On-site <br /> R -Hydrologic Balance N - Signs and Markers <br /> R -Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan N - Support Facilities Not On-site <br /> N -Other N - Special Categories Of Mining <br /> N -Processing Waste N -Topsoil <br /> CONVOENTS <br /> This was a partial inspection by Leigh Simmons of the Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety <br /> (Division).Bob Munz of Mountain Coal Company(MCC)accompanied the inspection. The weather was fine and <br /> dry,but with clouds gathering.A trace of snow remained on the highest ground in shady spots. The mine was <br /> active. The inspection focussed on: (1)a group of monitoring wells that were included in the SL-12 Partial Phase I <br /> bond release application but that were not shown on the map in the application packet and were overlooked during <br /> the bond release inspection; and(2)the MVB pads and roads associated with the SS1 and SS2 longwall panels. <br /> HYDROLOGIC BALANCE-Rule 4.05 <br /> Drainage Control 4.05.1,4.05.2,4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5,4.05.6;Discharge Structures 4.05.7,4.05.10; <br /> Diversions 4.05.4;Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; <br /> Drainage—Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8;Impoundments 4.05.6,4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: <br /> The SS1-2 pad had been graded so as not drain, and sandbags were in place around the perimeters of the <br /> other SS1 and SS2 MVB pads.Approximately $15,000 worth of sandbags had been purchased and placed to <br /> prevent run-off from the pads while MCC were waiting for the approval of necessary permits from the Water <br /> Quality Control Division(WQCD). The Colorado Discharge Permit System(CDPS)permit(C00038776)was <br /> modified to include all of the Phase I released,active and proposed MVBs;the modification(modification 94)was <br /> issued on December 31,2020. A copy of the modified CDPS permit was added to Exhibit 7 of the PAP with <br /> Minor Revision MR-455.Under the terms of the modified permit the sandbags are no longer required. <br /> The grounding field for the mobile flare had been excavated on the SS 1-5 pad to allow the flare to be <br /> moved. Sediment had been eroded from the excavated trench and run off the edge of the pad. The sediment was <br /> effectively controlled by the brush adjacent to the pad. Less than 10 feet from the edge of the pad there was zero <br /> visible evidence of impact from the run off(see figures 15 and 16). <br /> The roads accessing pads associated with the SS1 through SS4 and E14 longwall panels are covered under <br /> a separate CDPS General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activities,(CDPS <br /> Permit Number COR400000,Certification Number: COR409912). Sediment controls were in place at low points <br /> along the roads(for example, see figure 18). <br /> Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 10 <br /> Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 3 <br /> Page 2 of 19 <br />