Laserfiche WebLink
West Elk Mine <br />capacity. With the construction of pond MB -5E, the stormwater runoff control functions as <br />well as water storage capacity of former sediment pond MB -1 are handled in pond MB -5E. <br />This allowed the existing pond (formerly MB -1) to be converted and utilized as freshwater <br />pond FW -2. <br />Both FW -1 and FW -2 store water that is pumped from the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />These freshwater ponds supply raw water for potable use, dust suppression, and the fire <br />suppression system. These ponds were constructed from suitable site materials and have <br />engineered earth -fill embankments with 3H to 1V sideslopes. The pond is lined with a semi - <br />impermeable clay liner. Pond FW -1 specifications are contained in Exhibit 49. Exhibit 44 <br />contains design considerations and data. The original FW -2 design is similar in construction to <br />FW -1. The location of the original FW -2 pond (in the approximate location of MB -5E is <br />shown in Exhibit 43. The original design of FW -2 is contained in Exhibit 44, but is no longer <br />planned to be constructed. <br />(5) Topsoil <br />Whenever technically feasible, topsoil and subsoil on sites of proposed surface facilities will be <br />stripped and placed in appropriate stockpiles before any construction occurs. Map 53, Map <br />53A, and Map 53B show the location of West Elk Mine's topsoil and subsoil stockpiles. These <br />stockpiles are appropriately signed and will be maintained according to applicable regulations <br />for the life of the mine or until used for reclamation. Handling of topsoil is more thoroughly <br />discussed in Section 2.05(4). When a topsoil stockpile is expected to remain inactive for more <br />than one year, it is seeded with the permanent or temporary seed mix (described in Section <br />2.05.4.). This seeding will protect the stockpiles from wind and water erosion. <br />(6) Overburden <br />Because West Elk Mine is an underground mine and not a surface mine, no overburden is <br />removed, handled, or stored. Spoil from developing underground workings is handled as coal <br />mine waste. Therefore, the discussion of refuse disposal in Section 2.05.3(8) also applies to all <br />spoil generated during these developmental activities. <br />(7) Coal Handling Structures <br />At West Elk Mine, coal handling structures consist of belt conveyors, three run -of -mine <br />stacking tubes with an underground conveyor reclaim system, a double - roller crusher, <br />screening plant, rotary breaker, a coal preparation plant and associated coal handling facilities, <br />two silos, a crushed coal stack -tube with an underground conveyor reclaim system, a dozer <br />trap reclaim system, and a railroad loadout facility. Map 53 shows the locations of these coal <br />handling structures. Each facility or group of facilities is described below. <br />• <br />2.05 -41 Rev. 11/04, 03/06, 04/06 & 05/06- PR10; 08/09- TR118; 08/09- TR119; 09/09 - MR357 <br />