2012-02-13_REVISION - C1981012 (8)

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TH -201- Piezometers installed on the lowest, second and third benches of the Refuse TH -203: Disposal Area fill to determine the level of the piezometric surface within the embankment. NE -033: Grab samples from the sewage treatment plant intake and discharge. NEW -2: A sample from the New Elk East Portal shaft, used to assess the rate of flooding and the quality of water in the New Elk workings. NEW -3: A sample from the Apache Canyon shaft, used to assess the rate of flooding and the quality of water in the New Elk mine workings following sealing. NEW -4: A sample from the return water line shaft into the New Elk mine workings. This site is located north of the preparation plant adjacent to containment area 3, and will be used to assess the water level elevation in the mine as well as the quality of the water. Thickener This site was established to monitor flows from the New Elk pump thickener into Pump the New Elk workings (TR -34), once initiated. Recycling This site was established to document the pumping of water from the New Elk Pump workings at NEW -4 to the prep plant, once initiated. In addition to the monitoring points listed above, three monitoring wells were installed for the New Elk Mine in 2010. Wells NE -1 -10, NE- 6 -10a, and NE -6 -10b are completed in the Allen, Apache, and Blue coal seams, respectively, and are designed to monitor water level and water quality. Monitoring well NE -1 -10 is located southeast of the planned Allen Seam mining area. Wells NE- 6 -10a, and NE -6 -10b are located down dip about 1.5 miles northeast of the Allen Seam mining area. Completion details for the wells are included in Exhibit 8(4). Eight monitoring wells were drilled during 2011. They are all located south of the permit boundary. Well NE- 05-11 has completions in the Allen, Maxwell, Red and Apache Seams. Well NE -08 -11 has completions is the Allen, Maxwell, Apache and Blue Seams. The wells will be monitored quarterly for water levels and field and laboratory parameters presented in Table 28. Five wells that were part of the Golden Eagle Mine (C1981013) permit will be incorporated into the monitoring program at the New Elk Mine. The transferred wells are SF -2, NM -20, NM -21, NM -22, and NM -23. NM -20 is completed at a total depth of 507 ft approximately 764 ft above the Maxwell seam. NM -21, a well located between Snake and Gold Canyons, was established to monitor the level of water in the Maxwell coal seam. NM -22 is completed in the overburden 791 ft above the Maxwell seam. NM 23 is completed in the Maxwell seam at a total depth of 1,388.9 ft. Station SF -2, a well located in the upper reaches of Cherry Canyon, was established to monitor the level of groundwater in overburden. The monitoring schedule is included in Table 27. This information will be be used to evaluate the impact of mining activities on groundwater. The monitoring results for the wells will be included in the Annual Hydrology Report. PR -04 2.05 -90f Revised 02/09/12