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Wesel Elk Mine M Water pumped underground is used for dust suppression and to maintain fire-fighting systems. Currently, none of the water seeping into the mine is used in the mine. Water inflows typically are pumped-out of the mine, treated, and discharged according to NPDES pemut requirements. West Elk Mine has apackage-type wastewater treatment plant to treat sewage from the mine's facilities. The plant has a capacity of 10,000 gallons per day. With an aeration basin and clarifier, the plant provides primary and secondary treatment. The wastewater treatment plant is operated under applicable state laws that govern wastewater treatment facilities, administered by the CDPHE. In 1996, MCC expanded the wastewater plant to increase the throughput capacity to 20,000 gpd. The expansion included a 3,000-gallon flow equalization tank, an additional clarifier and a flocculent system. The clarifier is added to provide additional retention and clarification as a passive safeguazd to plant operation. The flocculent system will be used as a secondary safeguazd that may be operated to enhance solids settling in the primary clarifier. One of the major components of the mine ventilation program is the Sylvester Gulch Fan. This facility is located in Sylvester Gulch, approximately one-half mile south of the mine facilities area. Information concerning the design and operation of the fan is contained in Exhibit 42. The Lone Pine Gulch Portals were situated approximately one (1) mile west of Somerset, Colorado, at an elevation of approximately 6,480 feet. The Lone Pine Fan Facility was constructed in 1995, accessing the B Seam, to serve West Elk Mine as the primary ventilation facility for the then completed Northwest Longwall Panels (Nos. 1-7); the Jumbo Mountain Longwall Panels (Nos. 8 and 9), and the Southern Longwall Panels (Nos. 12, 13, 13A). These 12 longwall panels were isolated underground from the active workings, using explosion resistant seals, and the entire area is now abandoned. Watertight bulkheads were installed in each of the portals in 2001. The designs, portal profiles, and plan view of the bulkheads are shown on Drawing Nos. 42A-1, 42A-2, 42A-3 included in Exhibit 42A, in Volume 7 of the Permit Document. The azea was reclaimed in 2002 and 2003. In order to assure adequate mine ventilation for West Ells Mine's current and future mining azeas, new ventilation shafts (intake and exhaust shafts) were constructed. Construction of the site for the lazge intake shaft and the large return shaft began during spring of 1997 and shaft sinking began in the fall of 1997. The ventilation facility is located approximately one half mile from the existing Sylvester Gulch Fan (Map 53B). Information regarding the design, construction and operation of the ventilation facility is contained in Exhibit 69. A third ventilation shaft (Vent Shaft #3) was constructed during the summer and fall of 1997. Vent Shaft #3 is a 10-foot finished diameter shaft located approximately 400 feet east of the electric borehole site (Map 53B). Information regazding the design, construction, and operation of the ventilation facility is contained in Exhibit 69. A degasification borehole is located approximately 225 feet west of the electric borehole site in Sylvester Gulch. It was constructed during the summer of 1997. This borehole is not currently operating. Recent installation of methane drainage facilities in Sylvester Gulch accommodates West Elk Mine's "in-mine" methane collection and transmission system. • Methane gas, captured in the mine, is collected and transported in poly-pipe up Ventilation 1.05-20 Revised Nmember 2004 PRl0