_INSPECTION - C1981008 (15) - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 17,2012 C-1981-008/New Horizon Mine MLT • The backfill placed behind the pit appears to consist almost exclusively of grey to dark grey Bench 2 overburden. A few zones were dark brown in color, similar to some lower portions of Bench 1 overburden. The brown zones included an abundance of rocks, similar in size to those present in the Bench 2 backfill. I observed no evidence of Bench 1 spoil having been placed beneath Bench 2 material. EXPLOSIVES—Rule 4.08 Distance Prohibitions 4.08.4; Warnings 4.08.4; Control of Adverse Effects 4.08.4: • Late on the afternoon of the 17th, we observed a pattern of drill holes that had been completed into overburden on the WFC parcel (Photo 3). The next morning, blasting contractor personnel were busy connecting the leads in preparation for a blast scheduled for later that day. FISH and WILDLIFE—Rule 4.18: • A mule deer, with antlers in velvet,was seen moving across the reclaimed Staats parcel, south of 5th Road and east of the Pond 007 discharge structure. HYDROLOGIC BALANCE - Rule 4.05 Drainage Control 4.05.1, 4.05.2, 4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, 4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7, 4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage—Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; Impoundments 4.05.6, 4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: • The water level in Pond 007 was high enough for discharge to be occurring. Pond in-slopes were well vegetated and stable. • Pond 008 contained water, but not sufficient quantity for discharge to occur. Mr. Gubka said that Pond 008 had not discharged this year. Ponds 009 and 011 were completely dry. The in-slopes of each pond were reasonably well vegetated, and no erosion was occurring. • The northern (WFC)half of the active pit is dry. Water which accumulates in the southern half of the pit, on the Morgan property (Photo 2), continues to be pumped to the elevated storage tank for use in dust control. Overflow from the tank flows under gravity to Pond 013 via a HDPE pipeline laid out on the surface of the ground. • Pond 013 was actively discharging during both days of the inspection (Photo 4). GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLANCE: • Extraction of coal from the Morgan property has been completed. • The mine's shovel was active on the WFC parcel (Photo 5), loading haul trucks with Bench 1 material excavated from the area west of the advancing pit. This material was then transported to and dumped in a stockpile of Bench 1 material being constructed behind the pit,for future use in final reclamation of the mine's northwest corner(Photo 6). • Mr. Gubka noted that because the mine is nearing the end of its production, and Bench 1 is being stockpiled rather than live-hauled for redistribution, redistribution of topsoil over the n Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: I Page 4 of 13