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June 18, 2012 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine JRS <br /> <br /> <br />GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLANCE: <br />- The West Elk Mine is currently mining in the E-Seam in longwall panel E3. They are almost to cross-cut 26, at <br />station 46+40. The mine has developed the E-South Mains to cross-cut 79. The longwall panel E5 headgate has <br />been completed almost to cross-cut 9 and is at station 11+60. The longwall panel E4 headgate and start room has <br />been completed. West Elk shortened the panel E4 approximately 1,000 feet to avoid the historic sand channel and <br />hydrocarbons they encountered in panel E3. Finally, they have started development work on the longwall panel <br />E6 headgate. They are to cross-cut 2. All of the mining at the West Elk Mine appears to be progressing as <br />permitted and shown on Map 51 - E-Seam Projected Operations. <br /> <br /> <br />PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES <br /> Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface <br />Stabilization; Placement: <br />- The operator was not actively placing refuse on the RPEE at the time of the inspection. This refuse was coming <br />from the stockpiled refuse on the RPE. Mike Peacock indicated that they will probably be finished moving this <br />stockpiled refuse by the end of July. They were doing work with dozers moving subsoil from the area above the <br />working portion of the pile in order extend the pile up the draw. This material will be used to complete the upper <br />portion of the haul road, HR-2. The portion of underdrain that was constructed and visible has now been partially <br />covered with refuse. Before the operator places any more refuse up the draw, another section of underdrain must <br />be built. The portion of the pile where refuse has been placed appeared to be well compacted and was graded to <br />ensure water would flow off of the pile and not pool on the surface. West Elk was drilling at the base of the pile/at <br />the top of the colluvial fill to install inclinometers at the time of the inspection. The operator has seeded the <br />colluvial fill and placed erosion control mats over the fill to help control erosion. There was also an excavator <br />There <br />working on the ditch below the pile. The operator must also complete the perimeter ditches for the RPEE. <br />was some material sloughing off of the cut slope just below the rock buttress. This material has the ability <br />to fill in the ditches below the pile. West Elk needs to visually monitor these slopes and, possibly, take <br />remedial action to keep the material from blocking the drainage ditches <br />. During the inspection the Division <br />took several elevation points at the RPEE. The first point was at the top of the rock buttress. The plan calls for a <br />buttress elevation of 6,490 feet. The Division measured the elevation at 6,487 feet (which is well within the error <br />highest elevation of refuse placement. That elevation was 6,598 feet. In its current configuration, West Elk is <br />allowed to place refuse up to an elevation of 6,775 feet, so they are well below the approved design elevation. <br />- The RPE remained stable at the time of the inspection. The small slump on the east edge, which was noted in <br /> has been repaired. Mike Peacock indicated that they installed a small drain in the area to <br />control the water that caused the slump. There will be another layer of soil placed on this area and it will be <br />seeded in the fall. The reclaimed slopes of the RPE are well vegetated, although very dry and crunchy because of <br />the weather, and remain stable. As noted above, West Elk is moving the refuse material that was stockpiled on the <br />RPE to the RPEE. <br />- The LRP was well vegetated and remains stable. There were no erosional problems noted on the LRP at the time <br />of the inspection. <br /> <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 12 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 <br /> <br />411 <br />Page of <br /> <br /> <br />