INSPEC17917

• Permit No: C1981035
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 9/10/2007
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE
Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made
during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the inspection
and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action.
This partial inspection of the King Coal Mine was conducted by DRMS staff from the Durango Office,
701 Camino del Rio, Room 125, Durango, CO 81301, phone [phone]. Operations were active
during the time of the inspection. Cliff Sandlin accompanied the DRMS inspector throughout the
inspection.
This inspection focused on the sediment containment system for the King Coal 1 mine. The sediment
containment system appeared to be functioning as designed; evidence of affected area drainage
escaping the area prior to treatment was not observed. However, sediment clean out for all sediment
sumps and ponds may be necessary prior to the winter season to ensure sufficient capacity of the
system prior to spring snow melt. Two photos accompany this report.
The large sediment pond was holding water near the outlet end of the pond. Water depth was visually
estimated at 12 inches. The embankment appeared sufficiently vegetated to stabilize the surface of
the embankment with no evidence of seepage, slumping or erosion. The minor infestation of White
top and mustard weeds on the embankment, previously identified in the Division's report generated
from the May 31, 2007 inspection, appeared to have been recently treated. Primary and secondary
spillways appeared clear and functional with no discharge noted. The large sediment pond receives
affected area drainage.from the majority of the yard areas, which includes the portal, coal stockpile
and processing areas, and refuse disposal pile. Significant sediment had been deposited in the pond
from recent precipitation events.
The small sediment pond was holding water approximately 6 inches deep. The embankment
appeared well vegetated and stable with no evidence of seepage, slumping or erosion. Primary and
secondary spillways appeared clear and functional with no discharge noted. A minor occurrence of
Russian knapweed was observed at the open channel secondary spillway. Affected area drainage is
routed from the lower yard area to the small sediment pond by a sediment containment berm across
the entrance road. The sediment containment berm appeared intact and functional.
Drainage from the short portion of the mine entrance/haul road located outside of the sediment pond
treatment area is treated for sediment by three small sediment traps with filter fabric. All three
sediment traps for the entrance road appeared to be functioning as designed but nearly filled with
sediment and drainage. Magnesium chloride had been recently applied to the entrance road.
The sediment sump for the east upland diversion ditch had been filled with sediment to within 12
inches of the top of the sump. The sediment sump for the east diversion ditch traps sediment from the
undisturbed uplands prior to leaving the site. The sediment sump for the east diversion d'+tch is not
part of the sediment containment system for affected lands, but provides sediment containment for the
clean water diversion prior to discharge onto neighboring hay fields. Sediment clean out of the sump
appears critical if the sump is to continue to function as designed. A minor occurrence of Russian
knapweed was observed at the outlet of the east upland diversion ditch.