Laserfiche WebLink
These model results indicate that mining at Energy Mine No. 3 <br />will produce a salt plume that may significantly increase the <br />dissolved solids concentration of ground water downgradient <br />from the mine; however, this effect should be attenuated with <br />increasing distance from the mine site due to dilution and <br />dispersion of the salt Dlume. It should be noted here that the <br />above analysis is conservative in that: <br />The mine area is considered as a single source rather than <br />as multiple point sources; <br />No retardation (chemical/physical attenuation) is assumed; <br />and, <br />A time-varying pattern of solute loading concentration has <br />not been considered. <br />Therefore, the actual solute loading concentrations <br />downgradient from the mine site will probably be less than that <br />predicted by the model. There are no known ground water use <br />wells downgradient from the proposed mining operation that <br />would be adversely impacted as a result of salt plume migration <br />in the Wadge Overburden Aquifer. However, one permitted ground <br />water use well (belonging to CYCC) does exist downgradient from <br />a previously mined and reclaimed area at the Energy Mine <br />No. 3. This well (CYCC Well No..B) is completed in the Wadge <br />Overburden Aquifer less than one mile west of an area that was <br />mined prior to August 3, 1977 (see Maps 4a and 8 of the permit <br />application). This well may, in the future, develop an <br />increase in TDS concentration due to mining that occurred in <br />this area. Thus far, hydrologic monitoring data from the mine <br />site has not indicated any detectable trends in increasing TDS <br />concentration in ground water downgradient from the existing <br />operations. In the future, data from the ongoing hydrologic <br />monitoring program will be used to monitor any changes in <br />ground water quality attributable to mining. <br />Surface Water Effects <br />Runoff, Erosion and Sediment Load <br />The anticipated rates of erosion and sediment yield from all <br />disturbed areas have been calculated by the applicant, and are <br />presented in Exhibit 3 of the permit application. During <br />mining operations, and fora period of time during reclamation, <br />runoff and erosion rates within disturbed areas will be higher <br />than that of undisturbed areas. The effect of runoff and <br />erosion should be minimized, however, by the construction of <br />small sumps, diversion ditches, and sediment control facilities <br />to treat runoff water prior to its release to receiving streams. <br />_ 2g _ <br />