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III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE Below are convents on the inspection. The wnvents include discussion of observations made during the inspection. Comments also dzscribe any enforcement actions talzn during the inspection and the facts or e~'idence supporting the enforcement action. This was a partial inspection of the West Elk Mine. The inspection was conducted in the company of Christine Johnston and Henry Barbe. During the initial portion of the inspection the weather was very snowy and with brisk winds. The latter portion of the inspection was conducted in cool and partly sunny weather. Within the past few weeks the mine site has experienced several instances of landsliding and soil movement. MCC is working to evaluate the cause of these occurrences and plan for remediation. With the advent of spring runoff MCC has been working to conduct normal spring maintenance. The inspection included the main mine facility area, the Lone Pine fan and substation, the Sylvester Gulch fan and access road, and the area of the proposed refuse pile expansion adjacent to Sylvester Gulch. Availability of Records The records file at the mine include the most recent haul and access road certifications, the 1996 annual reclamation report and the mid-year 1996 subsidence monitoring report. The final year 1996 report has not yet been completed and is therfore not included in the file. Signs and Markers Subsoil signs have been re-erected on the stockpile on the west end of the lower refuse pile. Hydrologic Balance Mine water from both behind the seals and from within the active mining areas is being dischazged at the surface immediately outside the conveyor portals. Currently the water is dischazging at a rate of 350 g.p.m. The temperature of the water when it exits from behind the seals is approximately 89 degrees F. It is a few tens of degrees cooler when dischazged outside the portals. The water is then directed through a series of ABS flexible black plastic culverts and ditches to pond MB-2R. MCC has the ability to direct the mine water to MB-1 as well. Flocculants are being added to the mine water as it enters the pond. Mr. Bazbe indicated the MCC has plans to spray alum on the pond in order to complete settling of solids within the water and to then allow final discharge. MCC has met with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment to begin the process of requesting am amendment to their discharge permit to allow direct discharge of mine water from behind the seals to the North Fork of the Gunnison. The water from behind the seals appears to be of good quality. _" / 9i= Y~~ Pond MB-1 was discharging considerable water on 4-9-97. Today the dischazge rate is much lower, as the pond water level is now near the bottom of the pond. Sediment which has built up in the south cell of the pond will need to be removed during the summer.