2005-08-05_REVISION - M1977493 - Laserfiche WebLink

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deposition/filling in the Tenmile and Mayflower Tailing Impoundments. The upgrades will also assure compliance with current and projected effluent limitations associated with the Climax Mine CPDES Permit and provide for improved dischazge water quality. Once this project is completed, it is expected that the upgrades will serve water treatment system requirements for a period in excess of 20 yeazs. The principle driver for modification of the Climax Water Treatment System is limited low density water treatment sludge settling capacity in Mayflower and Temnile Tailing Ponds. Significant volumes of solids generated by water treatment activities over the past twenty yeazs have been deposited in the ponds, reducing settling azea and storage volume in Mayflower Tailing Pond. A secondary driver exists with the new statewide standazd for aluminum. Climax identified water management changes and treatment alternatives that would address the shrinking settling capacity in Mayflower Pond and the potential aluminum limitation and concluded that the existing pond treatment system requires neaz term modiflcafion to maintain sufficient residence time for metals precipitation in the treatment ponds. Moreover, improvements aze needed to the two stage pH adjustment currently used to treat water at Climax in order to effectively remove aluminum. Figure 1 shows the general layout of the proposed upgrades. The strategy for addressing water treatment needs calls for wllection and mixing of key impacted flows in a collection chamber neaz the existing Lime Station, and treatment of these combined flows in a Sludge Densification Plant (SDP). Treated water from the SDP will be routed through Tenmile Pond to a new second stage neutralization mix pond at the base of No. 3 Dam, prior to entering Mayflower Pond. The SDP and Tenmile Pond will be considered first stage treatment, while the No. 3 Dam mix pond and Mayflower Pond will continue to be considered second stage treatment. Also included within the process design aze necessary upgrades to the Lime Station and enhanced electronic process control at key site locations. The SDP will treat most of the flows throughout the yeaz, and during high flow periods, excess flows will be neutralized and handled in the existing pond system. On average, 95.3% of the solids loading to first stage neutralization will be handled by the SDP. Upon implementation of the water treatment upgrades, sludge loading to Mayflower pond will be reduced from the current estimated 25.6 million pounds to 6.4 million pounds per yeaz of dry solids. The densification plant will produce a 20%+ solids sludge that can be stored and disposed of in wnstructed cells on Tenmile tailing Pond. Two cells will be required to allow for alternative cell use and sludge densification to projected 50% solids. The Sludge Management Project is not in and of itself a water treatment system and therefore not singulazly capable of meeting dischazge permit limits. The upgrades are intended to complement and fortify the existing water treatment system at the Climax Mine. An addendum to the Climax Mine Reclamation Permit, Exhibit G, water Information is attached with feasibility level design considerations for the water treatment upgrades. Climax considers components of the constructed system to be Environmental Protection Facilities under the Climax Mine Environmental Protection Plan.