PERMFILE132469

• Permit No: C1980007A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/2/2006
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05.4 Reclamation Plan
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

West Elk Mine
hydrographs; however, these changes have not corresponded with influxes of water into mine
workings. However, water level monitoring is important to continue, as well as in the Barren
Member wells, to document the relationship, or lack of, between mine water inflows and
groundwater systems in the overlying bedrock. No chemical abnormalities, which can be attributed
to mining, were observed in the historical monitoring data and there is no reason to anticipate that
mining will affect water quality in the future.
The refuse pile wells, GP-3, GP-4, GP-6, and GP-7 will continue to be monitored to detect future
impacts of the lower refuse pile on shallow groundwater resources.
As discussed previously in Section 2.04.7, the Rollins Sandstone monitoring wells do not provide
predictable information regarding Rollins Sandstone groundwater conditions. In addition,
groundwater systems in the Rollins Sandstone aze not azeally extensive and aze not in
hydrodynamic communication with each other and as such, the Rollins Sandstone is not an aquifer.
As could be expected, there aze no users of Rollins Sandstone water in the vicinity of the mine. For
these reasons, MCC does not plan to complete any additional monitoring wells in the Rollins
Sandstone.
Data, mining locations, interpretations, and predictions for the following year for B-Seam mining
will be incorporated into MCC's Annual Hydrology Report using the wells currently in the
monitoring program.
• Inflows to the B-Seam workings will be mapped and flows estimated similaz to that performed for
F-Seam inflows. Mine dischazges will be monitored, flows estimated or, where practical, measured,
and annual samples collected, as described previously.
Mitigation OfHvdrologiclmpacts
The final B-Seam pillaz retreat mining and longwall mining in the B-Seam will cause subsidence in
the North Fork of the Gunnison River drainage basin during the current permit term. Mining
impacts with respect to hydrology, both surface and groundwater are expected to be minimal. Any
water encountered during mining in sufficient quantities to require dischazge will be pumped from
the mine to an approved NPDES/CPDES discharge location. If water is of such quality as not to
require settling or other chemical or filter type treatment it may be dischazged directly to a receiving
water at an approved dischazge point, such as the Sylvester Gulch Fan (outfall 011). Water which
may or may not require treatment may be pumped to Sediment Pond MB-1 which has been sized to
handle 200 gpm continuous mine inflow. Water will be appropriately treated, if necessary, using
chemical additives to aid in settling of suspended solids, pH adjustment, or others, as necessary. All
precautions will be taken during the use of chemical additives to comply with State, Federal, and
local regulations. Water will be discharged in compliance with NPDES/CPDES permit
requirements for the West Elk Mine.
Water rights in the North Fork of Gunnison River aze not anticipated to be affected by hydrologic
impacts from mining, since mine inflows will ultimately be discharged to the North Fork of the
M Gunnison River. Mountain Coal Company shall comply with Rule 4.05.15 should a vested water
right be injured, as specified in the rule. No surface water impacts from mining are anticipated
2.05-80 Revised Dec. 1997 MR208; Revised Jan. /999 TR88; Rev. Agri[ 2006 PR70