2010-04-16_REPORT - C1982056 (3)

Home Browse Search

is Emergency Discharge Permit COG-850048 In late August 2008, an unanticipated rise in water levels within sealed mine areas resulted in a condition where water was backed-up against the mine seals in two areas of the mine (old WMD and EMD). Due to concerns'of a potential inundation hazard to the safety of the miners, TCC temporarily suspended operations, withdrew all personnel and notified MSHA. The mine was shut down for approximately 10 days. During this period an emergency discharge permit was obtained from CDPHE, and a 12-inch diameter high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline was installed from the existing TORT pump in the EMD to a drainage ditch and flume leading to Foidel Creek, east of the intersection of County Road 33, the railroad tracks, and the entrance road for 6MN pad. In addition HDPE piping was also installed from a pump located at the old Fish Creek Ventilation Shaft (FCVS) in the old WMD to the Area # 1 Pit for dewatering. As of the first week in March 2010, there is approximately 30.5 feet of freeboard in the old WMD. As a result of the flooding, a water balance study was conducted by TCC in early 2009, and is discussed further under section 3.9. Discharge at 1ORt was initiated in early September 2008. During discharge, downstream water quality samples were collected to verify potential impacts. Samples collected at site 1005 (Trout Creek) downstream of confluences from Fish Creek and Foidel Creek. The secondary stream standard of 250 mg/l for sulfate was of concern. In discussions with CDPHE, they indicated that their database showed no down stream portable water users for Trout Creek, so the standard was not applicable, however TCC was aware that a family (Richard Jones) did utilize an alluvial well for showering, washing dishes and clothes. In 2008, TCC purchased two 2000 gallon storage tanks for the Jones, and had them buried on his property at his direction with the appropriate plumbing hook-ups to his home. TCC is currently paying for clean imported water (i.e. Raindrop, Inc.) to be delivered to their new tanks, so they would discontinue using their alluvial well. Subsequent water quality data from the TORT raw effluent indicated some exceedances for total recoverable iron. In addition it became obvious that the raw effluent would not be able to pass the required quarterly Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) test. Note that water quality samples collected at site 900, downstream of the TORT and upstream of the confluence with Middle Creek, passed three consecutive WET tests and met iron requirements. Bench tests on the raw effluent were conducted by the analytical laboratory Aqua-Tox of Wheatridge, Colorado. These tests suggested that elevated concentrations of sulfate and ammonia contributed to the WET test failures. Based upon TORT exceedances, TCC discontinued discharge in early 2009, and utilized a new piping system that pumped water from TORT to the area # 1 Pit impoundment. To date, mine water that has overflowed from the Pit (through site 7) to Pond D has meet CDPS permit limitations at Outfall 005A, as well as WET test requirements. This is attributed to the significant resonance time for water passing through both impoundments, allowing for aeration and some mineral constituents to drop out. The emergency discharge permit was allowed to expire in September 2009. Despite the success of mine discharge through the two impoundments, TCC is still considering applying with CDPHE for a permanent CDPS discharge Outfall for TORT (east of the original discharge location). A proposal to create to baffled pond, leading 14