Laserfiche WebLink
2.05 APPLICATION FOR 1'ERMI'C FOR SURFACE OIi UNDF,IiGROUNU <br />MINING APPLICATIONS <br />2.05.1 Objectives <br />The information provided by this Section reviews the underground mining operation <br />and the associated surface operations which Picketwire Processing LLC (PPLLC) or <br />other previous operators conducted at the New Elk Mining facility during previous <br />permit terms. It also details plans for the current and future permit terms. <br />Information is provided in this section to ensure that operations are conducted to <br />protect those environmental resources identified iu Section 2.04 of this application. <br />2.05.2 Oaeration Plan -Life of Operation <br />Current Status <br />During previous permit terms the underground workings were scaled and bond <br />release granted for those surface areas overlying underground workings not required <br />for continued operations of U~c sw~lace facilities. Flooding of the mine, which is <br />being monitored in accordance with the hydrologic moniloriug plan, and depletion of <br />mineable coal reserves makes re-entry into the New EIk (t111en) Mine unlikely. <br />During the more recent permit teens, the surface facilities were used to process and <br />ship coal from nearby mines. These mines, the Golden Eagle underground mine and <br />the Lorencito Canyon surface mine, have closed and are now in final reclamation. <br />The railroad tracks running from the Jansen Yard uear'frinidad to the New Elk mine <br />have been removed, as has the unit train loadout facility at the New Elk. This makes <br />it unlikely that coal processing will occur iu the future at the New Elk flcilities. <br />During the next permit term, it is anticipated that any useable surface facilities will be <br />dismantled and shipped for use at other mining operations. 'fhe remaining surface <br />facilities not required for servicing an approved post mining laud use will be salvaged <br />or disposed of in an approved manner. Removal of non-serviceable surface facilities <br />was begun near the end of the previous permit term: the East Portal I-foist I-louse and <br />the Core Storage Building were dismantled. Rough and final grading of areas of <br />disturbance west of the main entrance road was initiated. "this included removal of <br />Pond 5, Coal Storage area No. 4, and the non-coal storage area and warehouse #3. <br />~'~t-oa ~.r~s- r rz~~~rn~ .a,~~ra~ua <br />