_INSPECTION - C1980007 (46) - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 13, 2010 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine TK Sediment has been removed from Freshwater pond#2 and the plastic liner was being repaired. Pond SG-1 contained a small pool of water below the discharge level(discharge is controlled by a gate valve). Construction has been completed in the last few months on the following structures that were approved in TR-119: new pond MB-5E, a 48-inch diameter HDPE pipe that was buried and will feed runoff to pond MB-5E,a bridge across the North Fork that provides access to pond MB-5E,and a concrete-lined sediment sump next to the construction site of stacktube ST-5 (site of recently removed pond MB-2R). Pond MB-5E was built at the same location as former pond MB-5 (which was the Bear Mine pond),and replaces pond MB-2R which recently was removed. Pond MB-1 will be converted to freshwater storage and will be re-named pond FW-2. No discharge was occurring at the outlet of pond MB-5E(two gate-valved culverts that extend through the pond embankment and have hinged flap gates on their outlet ends for blocking wildlife access). The operator's representative explained that MCC has applied to the Colorado Water Quality Control Division for replacing outfall 004(at the recently removed pond MB-2R)with an outfall at the outlet of the newly contructed pond MB- 5E. This new two-celled pond contained small pools of water. If discharge from MB-5E becomes necessary before an outfall is approved at this location,the plan is to pipe water from MB-5E to the existing 004 outfall. The open-channel discharge structure of the waste water plant(outfall 007)was in good condition. The black plastic pipe discharge structure of the train loadout sediment sump(outfall 004)was also in good condition. 007 and 004 were not discharging. Ditches next to roads appeared in good repair. No discharge was occurring at the underground mine water pumping site in Sylvester Gulch(CDPS outfall 017). GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLANCE: The operator appeared to be following the approved mine plan. PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES—Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface Stabilization; Placement: See Support Facilities. ROADS—Rule 4.03; Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3);Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4); Surfacing and Maintenance4.03.1(5) and(6)/4.03.2(5)and(6); Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): Road surfaces were well-maintained in the main surface facilities area, Sylvester Gulch,and the Sylvester Gulch Road Extension. No signs of excessive erosion were found on road embankments. REVEGETATION—Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing: The operator's summer weed spraying program is in progress,and no significant weed problems were found during the inspection. As previously mentioned, small patches of thistle need spraying along the north side Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 0 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 3 of 10