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INSPECTION REPORT Site: National King Coat Mine, Hesperus, Colorado Inspected By: Don R. May, P.E., Project Engineer Inspection Date: Quarterly Inspection, Jan, 2005 Pon s: The east and west sedimentation ponds and their embankments and outlets appear in good condition. Photo 1 shows the west pond blanketed in snow. The west pond is in need of cleaning, especially at the entrance and near the edges. Drainage Ditches: The east and west drainage channels, on the sides of the waste rock pile, appear in good general condition. Photo 2 shows the pipe entrance near the bottom of this diversion. Although snow cover makes detailed assessment difficult, it appears that the ditches along the waste pile access road and other roads at the mine are performing according to the design plan. The upper and lower yards are all in good shape, Photo 3, 4. All other ditches and drainage structures were inspected and appear in good operating condition. Except where noted, all drainage features have been constructed and are operating as stated in the drainage plan submitted to the Division of Minerals and Geology. Coal Waste Pile: As mentioned in previous inspection reports, over-steepening of the waste pile face at the toe of the slope still exists. Although hard to see, this is shown on on photo 5. Care should be taken to assure that this area is re-graded and compacted to design specifications. The lower portion of the waste rock pile face should be vegetated in acx:ordance with the approved mine plan. At this time there are no visible signs of structural instability on the waste pile. Drainage in the ditch along the right side of the top of the waste pile (looking up the valley) is currently flowing toward the north (upstream end of the pile) instead of toward the toe of the pile (yard side). This 'reverse flow' could result in ponding of water and subsequent saturation of the waste pile. The top of the pile, and the ditch, should be sloped towarcl the pile face as stated in the design document. The top of the pile and . the ditch should be re-graded. This condition appears unchanged from the October inspection. This area is shown on photo 6 but snow and lighting make it hard to see. Top ofweste pile ~;,;;~l -• .. . /'\ (.tinrmt direGion of flow N ditch end on piles Ikeiign requires that flow he toward the pih: fee (oppmite ofdirection shown} Except for the items mentioned above the fill on the waste pile has been constructed as specified in the design approved by the Division of Minerals and Geology.