2009-09-17_REVISION - C1980007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Wesi Elk Mine refuse disposal area was designed, The Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area was designed and prepared to the east of the Lower Refuse Pile and east of Sylvester Gulch. As described in Exhibit 51, refuse disposal at the LRP has ceased before reaching the maximum-designed storage capacity, because all refuse disposal is being handled in the RPE area (as of October 1998). The design information and baseline data for the RPE area are contained in Exhibit 70. The Lone Pine Gulch Development Waste Pile was designed to contain approximately 17,000 cubic yards of material generated from the development of the Lone Pine Gulch fan intake and return entries. Designs for this pile are contained in Exhibit 42A. This refuse pile was completed and was soil-covered and seeded in the fall of 1995. Although most of the refuse material generated at West Elk Mine will end up in the waste disposal areas, some non-coal waste may be disposed of in one of two other ways. First, some non-combustible materials may be placed in abandoned mine workings. Second, suitable materials may be crushed and used for graveling roadways in the mine. Overall, relatively little material will be disposed of using these alternate methods. All disposal areas and the development waste pile were designed and are maintained according to CDRMS regulations. They are not located near underground mine air shafts, tipples, or other surface installations. The Lower Refuse Disposal Area has a sign posted with the assigned MSHA identification number and other necessary information. In addition, the sign is at least six feet above the ground or waste surface and is located next to the area entrance. A similar sign has been posted at the RPE area. Refuse Production During Permit Term During the permit term, development and coal-processing wastes will be produced from mining in the E Seam and B Seam. Two-cycle mining on development and ventilation construction activities will be the primary sources of waste from the E Seam and B Seam. Some waste may also be generated from the continued rehabilitation of the F Seam main ventilation and access entries. With the crusher, screens and rotary breaker circuit, the least amount of coal processing waste will be produced. All refuse generated during this permit term will be disposed in the Lower Refuse Pile and the RPE area. The Lower Refuse Pile will reach its maximum storage capacity in 1997. Estimates of the annual waste production and storage capacity of the RPE area refuse are shown in Exhibit 70. These conservative estimates show that the RPE disposal area will handle all the waste generated during this permit term. (9) Return of Coal Mine Waste to Abandoned Workings MCC does not return coal waste generated from the mine to its abandoned mine workings at West Elk Mine. All refuse is disposed of in the Lower Refuse Pile and RPE area. 2.05-46 Rev. M04,03106.041064- (15106-PRIG.-08109- TR)18: 08/09-7R 119