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Mine) was mined first by the room-and-pillaz method and subsequently by the longwall method. <br />The pitch of the longwall is 26 degrees westerly. Some development extraction of the B seam <br />was accomplished at the No. 1 Mine. Eight continuous mining machines were used in the <br />Anderson seam (No. 3 Mine). l.ongwall techniques were not used in No. 3 Mine. <br />Coal from both mines was conveyed to a central surge bin and breaker via two elevated conveyor <br />systems. The office azea, two coal storage silos, a wash plant, and aclosed-system washwater <br />recycling system were located adjacent to the breaker. Small amounts of coal were occasionally <br />stockpiled next to the coal silos. <br />Coal for the silos was transported by truck to the loadout truck dump via PCR 001 and GCR 108. <br />The coal was then unloaded into a truck dump bin/60-ton hopper on the west side of the Roaring <br />Fork River and subsequently conveyed by a conveyor belt over the river to a surge bin located <br />adjacent to the railroad spur where coal was loaded directly into the cazs. <br />The coal refuse disposal azea was located at the mine site about 1,500 feet east of the above- <br />mentioned wash plant. Coal refuse from the wash plant system, as well as underground <br />development waste, was disposed of at this location. <br />On July 31, 19$4, the North Thompson Creek Mines filed for temporary cessation of operations <br />with the Division. Reclamation of the mine and loadout facilities involved two phases: an interim <br />and a fmal phase. The interim reclamation phase was ongoing and was designed to add to <br />stability and aesthetics during mining and to provide an opportunity for testing and improving <br />revegetation techniques. The specified goals of interim reclamation at the mine site were to <br />stabilize slopes and prevent erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and beautify the azea. The interim <br />plan at the mine site included incremental seeding of the refuse azea as the pile was constructed. <br />The first increment was seeded in 1979. <br />The goals of the interim reclamation plan for the loadout were to minimize visual impact and to <br />prevent the topsoil pile from becoming contaminated. Visual impact was minimized through <br />revegetation that involved the planting of native and exotic ornamental species. Revegetation <br />commenced in 1980 and was in a state of maintenance by 1982. Topsoil was protected from <br />possible sources of contamination by relocating the pile to a protected azea. In 1981, the topsoil <br />stockpiles were reshaped, fertilized and planted to protect them against erosion and <br />contamination. Additional protective measures, including drainage control and dust suppression, <br />were used to protect stockpiles located neaz coal loading structures. <br />The operator, then the Snowmass Coal Company, notified the Division of permanent cessation of <br />operations by letter of August 15, 1986. Final reclamation of the refuse azea was completed in <br />1986. The reclamation included regrading the top bench and covering the refuse with one foot of <br />cover. Some of the soil used to cover the refuse pile was imported, because topsoil was not saved <br />during the eazly yeazs of mine operation. In 1987, the rest of the mine site was reclaimed. The <br />surface facilities were removed and the portals, shafts, exploration holes, and wells were sealed. <br />On Apri128, 1988, a dischazge of iron-laden water was discovered entering North Thompson <br />Creek. The dischazge was traced back to the No. 1 Mine portal seal and adjacent airshaft, which <br />