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West Elk Mine(C-1980-007) MT-9 <br /> the North Fork of the Gunnison River and Highway 133. Coal is shipped from the West Elk Mine by <br /> rail. <br /> Coal mine waste at the mine is generated during underground construction activities and mining. <br /> Other sources of coal mine waste are contaminated coal spillage, material cleaned out of sediment <br /> ponds, and soils contaminated with non-hazardous materials. These other sources of waste comprise <br /> only a small portion of the coal mine waste produced at the mine. Coal mine waste is currently being <br /> processed in a plant that MCC constructed on the Lower Refuse Pile (LRP). The processing plant and <br /> an adjacent coal stockpile and laboratory were approved in TR-118. The refuse generated by the <br /> processing plant was initially disposed of in a permanent coal mine waste pile called the Refuse Pile <br /> Expansion area (RPE). This is a 20 acre site to the east of the LRP, and is east of Sylvester Gulch. The <br /> level area on top of the RPE is used as an equipment lay down area and a temporary stockpile area, <br /> and the slopes have been topsoiled and seeded. As the RPE neared its design capacity, a new refuse <br /> pile, the Refuse Pile Expansion East (RPEE) was constructed in the drainage immediately east of the <br /> RPE. Material is transported to and from the RPEE by haul truck. An Upper Refuse Disposal Area has <br /> also been approved for construction, but has not been built. Although MCC has verbally indicated this <br /> pile will not be needed, Stipulation #7 requires MCC to complete a geotechnical investigation prior to <br /> constructing the pile. <br /> Topsoil and subsoil storage areas are located around the disturbed areas. The main topsoil stockpile <br /> is to the south of the run-of-mine coal stack pad, and will be used during reclamation to cover the <br /> majority of the disturbance to a depth of 12 to 18 inches. Other significant topsoil and subsoil piles <br /> are located north of Highway 133 in the North Soil Storage Area (NSSA), south of the potable water <br /> tank, south of the Materials Storage Bench (MSB), adjacent to the Sylvester Gulch haul road, and <br /> adjacent to the RPEE haul road. <br /> Of the 19,854.9 acres in the permit area, 547.37 acres are approved to be disturbed, which primarily <br /> includes long-term surface facilities, and MVB pads and roads. Upon cessation of mining at the West <br /> Elk Mine, reclamation will return the disturbed land to rangeland and wildlife habitat land use. Some <br /> reclamation activities (particularly of MVB pads and roads) will occur during the life of the mine as <br /> areas cease to be used for mining activities. Final reclamation includes sealing the mine portals, <br /> removing the surface facilities, and returning all disturbed areas to the approximate original contour. <br /> The waste pile will be shaped to blend into adjacent topography. The mine area will be smooth- <br /> graded, and compacted areas will be ripped or scarified to eliminate slippage surfaces, establishing a <br /> suitable bond for the overlying seedbed material. Topsoil, which has been salvaged during <br /> construction of the surface facilities, will be redistributed over the disturbed area. Drainage control <br /> will be retained until the revegetation operation is underway and erosion is under control. Following <br /> the distribution of topsoil and final grading, the newly shaped surface will be prepared for planting. <br /> Surface preparation will include loosening and roughening the surface by disking, harrowing, or <br /> dragging. Various conditioners and neutralizers may be used to modify the seedbed conditions to <br /> ensure successful establishment of a vegetative cover. The site will then be planted using West Elk <br /> Mine's Permanent and Riparian Seeding mix. <br /> Page 10 of 14 <br />