2024-08-29_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 8/29/2024
• Doc Name: 2.05-15 Thru 2.05-49
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05.3 Operation Plan - Permit Area
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

West Elk Mine

2.05-38 Rev. 06/05, 01/06, 03/06, 04&05/06- PR10; 01/09- MR350; 04/09- TR116; 05/09- MR354; 08/09- TR119; 5/20- MR443;
10/20- MR450; 10/21- MR456; 6/24-TR156
Sediment contributions from drill sites constructed by MCC within the permit area will be
minimized by clearing the smallest area possible, containing drilling water and cuttings in an
appropriately-sized pit and reclaiming the site promptly upon completion. Reclamation would
include grading the site, redistributing topsoil, scattering vegetative slash, seeding, and mulching,
if necessary.

Figure 17 (Intentionally Left Blank)

Hydrologic Protection During Operation

Once construction of the mine facilities was completed and mining operations commenced, surface
facilities site runoff was diverted into the surface site sedimentation ponds (see the Collection and
Diversion Channels Section of this Chapter).
Any discharge of water from the ponds to the North Fork of the Gunnison River is in accordance
with effluent limitations and monitoring requirements stipulated in the NPDES permit. See Exhibit
7 to this Mining and Reclamation Plan. Should monitoring data indicate a violation of any effluent
limitation specified, MCC will notify the State, and proceed immediately to correct the violation.
MCC will periodically conduct maintenance and install erosion control in channels to minimize
contributions of sediment to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area.

Management of the refuse disposal areas and sedimentation ponds to minimize water pollution are
the major hydrological concern during operations. During operations, water will be discharged
from the mine. The water from the mine is routed through the surface drainage system into the
sedimentation ponds or discharged via the Lone Pine Pipeline or Sylvester Gulch Dewatering
Facility. No appreciable amounts of water discharges from the portal tunnels. The discharge water
is treated, if necessary, to meet water quality standards. Should more groundwater be encountered
than anticipated, prior to discharge of excess mine water, an analysis of anticipated water quality
and quantity and its effects on the receiving stream will be provided. The F, E and B coal seams are
not of an acid- or iron-producing nature. The discharge from the mine has a minimal effect upon
the existing hydrologic balance.

The loadout facilities consisting of the silo, loadout conveyor, and loadout building are designed to
prevent negative impacts to the river. Transfer points at the silo and the loadout building are
enclosed, and have dust suppression systems (water sprays). The loadout conveyor is in an
enclosed gallery where it crosses the river and the CDOT highway bridge. The loadout building is
totally enclosed and runoff from the area impounded within the limits of the facility where it is
treated before discharging.

Impacts of Overtopping Hydrologic Structures

All diversion structures are designed for use throughout the life of the West Elk Mine. See Exhibit
44, Exhibit 47, and Exhibit 66 for details of the design of these structures, including stability
analyses, where appropriate. The ditches have been designed and constructed to follow existing
drainage routes. Overtopping the collection and diversion ditches would create localized flooding
of the immediate area; however, damage would be minimal as flows would most likely enter the
next downstream ditch or culvert and flow to the sediment pond. The future access road to the