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November 18, 20 10 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine TAK <br />pond MB-2R). The concrete sediment trap MB-4 at the train loadout (outfall 008) was in good shape. <br />Construction was completed this year on the following structures that were approved in TR-119: new pond MB- <br />5E, a 48-inch diameter HDPE pipe that was buried and will feed runoff to pond MB-5E, a bridge across the North <br />Fork that provides access to pond MB-5E, and a concrete-lined sediment sump next to the construction site of <br />stacktube ST-5 (former site of pond MB-2R). Pond MB-5E was built at the same location as former pond MB-5 <br />(which was the Bear Mine pond), and replaces removed pond MB-2R. Pond MB-1 has been converted to <br />freshwater storage and has been re-named pond FW-2. <br />No discharge was occurring at the two spillway culverts of pond MB-5E. MCC has applied to the Colorado Water <br />Quality Control Division for replacing outfall 004 (at the recently removed pond MB-2R) with an outfall at the <br />outlet of the newly constructed pond MB-5E. This new two-celled pond contained small pools of water. If <br />discharge from MB-5E becomes necessary before an outfall is approved at this location, the plan is to pipe water <br />from MB-5E to the existing 004 outfall. <br />The black plastic pipe discharge structure of the train loadout sediment sump (outfall 004) was in good condition. <br />004 was not discharging. <br />The fabric-lined, two-celled RPE ponds appeared in good condition and were not discharging. The upper cell of <br />the RPE ponds contained a large pool of water, but the lower cell was nearly dry. <br />Ditches next to roads throughout the Main Surface Facilities Area and in Sylvester Gulch appeared in good repair. <br />No discharge was occurring at the underground mine water pumping site in Sylvester Gulch (CDPS outfall 017). <br />GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLANCE: <br />The areal extent of underground workings appeared to be in compliance with the approved mine plan <br />based on comparison of the on-site mining progress map (MSHA map) with the approved mine plan map (Map 51 <br />in the permit application) <br />PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES - Rule 4.10 and 4.110 ? Drainage Control; Surface <br />Stabilization; Placement: <br />The RPE is nearing its maximum capacity. No problems were found on the RPE. The top surface of the <br />RPE was dry and it slopes gently to the back of the pile where runoff would enter a ditch that goes to the RPE two- <br />cell lined pond. The slopes of the RPE are well-vegetated and have survey mirrors in place. <br />Refuse Conveyor PP-4 (that extends over the mine entrance road) carries refuse from the recently constructed coal <br />preparation plant (located on top of the Lower Refuse Pile) to a Refuse Truck Bin (located on top of the RPE). <br />Trucks carry the refuse from the Bin to the other side of the RPE where it is dumped, and will be incorporated into <br />lifts. <br />Road construction for the RPE East began in the last few months (approved in TR-120). <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year, ending 6/30/2011: 3 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year, ending 6/30/2011: 2 <br />Page 3 of 9