_INSPECTION - C1981008 (15) - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 17,2012 C-1981-008/New Horizon Mine MLT • A discussion of water chemistry also took place. Tom Fry conducts the water sampling for WFC's discharge permits issued by the CDPHE's Water Quality Control Division. Mr. Fry said that the chemistry of the San Miguel River and CCC Ditch can make compliance with the discharge permit a challenge. In particular,Mr. Fry noted that the pH of the river and ditch tends to approach 9.0 as the river's flow tapers off each season. In 2012, due to the dry winter and spring, the flow is dropping earlier than is typical. The upper limit for pH on the mine's discharge permit is 9.0. For Pond 007, the main source of inflow is runoff from irrigation. If water in the irrigation ditch is already approaching (or exceeding) a pH of 9.0, the mine may need to treat the water in the pond prior to discharge. WFC is exploring various options that might be available. AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS —Rule 5.02.4(l): • Permit records were available for inspection at the mine's office facilities. A completed DRMS Availability of Records form is attached to this report. AIR RESOURCE PROTECTION—Rule 4.17: • Water for use in dust control activities is presently stored in an elevated tank located immediately east of Pond 011. Mr. Gubka said that eventually, when this area of the permit is ready to be reclaimed, the water tank will need to be removed. WFC is currently evaluating alternative locations for the storage of dust control water. BACKFILL and GRADING—Rule 4.14 Contemporaneous Reclamation 4.14.1; Approximate Original Contour 4.14.2; Highwall Elimination 4.14.1(2)(f); Steep Slopes 4.14.2, 4.27; Handling of Acid and Toxic Materials 4.14.3; Stabilization of Rills and Gullies 4.14.6: • Coal extraction operations for the southern limb of the pit, which lies on the Morgan property,were finished earlier this summer. Backfilling of the final pit remains to be completed. The material for this operation will come either from the northern limb of the pit, which is still active, the temporary excess spoil pile, or a combination of the two. • Backfilling and Grading is described in Section 2.05.4(2)(c) of the PAP. Details specific to "Bench 1" overburden on the Morgan property appear on page 8 of that section. Beginning in June 2010, WFC has retained all of the unconsolidated Bench 1 overburden material generated from the Morgan property for use in reclamation of the property. Bench 1 surface spoil is to be placed in the upper portion of the finished graded backfill,just beneath the topsoil/subsoil at a minimum thickness of 3.0 feet, as described on page 2.05.4(2)(d)-12 of the PAP. Two stockpiles of Bench 1 (labeled "0131") have been created on the Morgan property, east of the open pit, for this purpose. • Mr. Gubka pointed out the area of Bench 2 backfill that WFC was bringing to final grade, prior to their distributing Bench 1 surface spoil across the top (Photo ). • The southern ramp that once accessed the Morgan portion of the pit has been largely backfilled with Bench 2 overburden that appears to have been end-dumped from above (Photo 1). A single ramp remains, at the northern end of the Morgan pit, providing access to the dewatering pump (Photo 2). Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: I Page 3 of 13