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West EIk Mine <br />addition was also considered. "Mini-bubbles" were formed (by induction, rather than <br />sparging), the clays floated to the surface and a froth was formed that could be easily skimmed <br />from the water. The downsides were that a large amount of chemical could be required, the <br />cost of that chemical, and the process was a relatively new technology. <br />I ~. <br />C~ <br />In the mine MCC can minimise total suspended solids in mine water by: (1) Channel water <br />out of roadways wherever possible. (2) Utilize imported gravel for mine roadways with less <br />clay in the fines. (3) Segregate better quality water for direct discharge. (4) Utilize tanks or <br />small, lined dams, etc. to collect clear water from inflows for dtrect discharge. (5) Treat the <br />particles with the largest mass first (i.e., with baffles or dams constructed in the sumps). <br />MCC used the NW Panels sealed sump to reduce mine water outflows to assure that the <br />hydraulic capacities of the sedimentation ponds would not be exceeded and that NPDES permit <br />limits would be met. In light of the problems experienced with the effective treatment of TSS <br />in the fault inflow water, the use of previously mined own-dip sealed panels for storage <br />reservoirs (or sealed panel sumps) is a key component of MCC's overall mine water <br />management program. <br />MCC will utilize the NE Panels sealed sump along with the new, large capacity (up to 2,000 <br />gpm) water pumping facility, to optimize MCC's water management system. Given MCC's <br />experience to date (November 1998) with the good quality mine water discharges from the NW <br />Panels sealed sump through the Lone Pine Gulch pipeline, MCC has indefinitely postponed the <br />construction of the treatment components of the Sylvester Gulch Mine Dewatering & <br />Treatment Facilities (see the facilities description in Exhibit 69). MCC will construct only the <br />pumping components in a building and the finishing pond. However, dependent on the actual <br />quality of water pumped from the NE Panels sealed sump, MCC may build the treatment <br />facilities in the future. <br />Sanitary Wastewater -The West Elk Mine has apackage-type wastewater treatment plant to <br />treat sewage (primarily shower water) from the mine's facilities. The plant, constructed in <br />1982, has a designed throughput of 10,000 gallons per day. With an aeration basin and <br />clarifier, the plant provides primary and secondary treatment. The wastewater treatment plant <br />is operated under applicable state laws that govern wastewater treatment facilities, <br />administrated by the CDPHE. <br />In 1996, MCC expanded the plant to increase the throughput to 20,000 gpd. The expansion <br />included a 3,000 gallon flow equalization tank, an additional clarifier and a flocculent system. <br />The clarifier is added to provide additional retention and clarification as a passive safeguard to <br />plant operation. The flocculent system will be used as a secondary safeguard that may be <br />operated to entrance solids settling in the primary clarifier. <br />Runo(l' from Disturbed Areas -Overland runoff which passes over disturbed areas within the <br />permit area is channeled to one of the sedimentation ponds. Sediment pond water may be <br />discharged to the North Fork or stored when water rights are in priority for reuse within the <br />2.05-186 RevisedJ~m. 1995 PR06; RevisedNw. 1998 TR80: I/98 PRQ4 <br />