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July 26,2012 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine JRS <br /> Inspection Topic Summary <br /> NOTE: Y=Inspected N=Not Inspected R=Comments Noted V=Violation Issued NA=Not Applicable <br /> N -Air Resource Protection R -Roads <br /> N -Availability of Records N -Reclamation Success <br /> N -Backfill& Grading N -Revegetation <br /> N -Excess Spoil and Dev.Waste N - Subsidence <br /> N -Explosives R - Slides and Other Damage <br /> N -Fish&Wildlife N - Support Facilities On-site <br /> R -Hydrologic Balance N - Signs and Markers <br /> R - Gen. Compliance With Mine Plan N - Support Facilities Not On-site <br /> R - Other N - Special Categories Of Mining <br /> R -Processing Waste N -Topsoil <br /> COMMENTS <br /> This was a partial inspection of the West Elk Mine conducted by Jim Stark of the Colorado Division of <br /> Reclamation,Mining and Safety. Kathy Welt of Mountain Coal accompanied on the office portion of the <br /> inspection and Mike Peacock of Mountain Coal accompanied me on the field portion of the inspection. The mine <br /> was actively producing coal at the time of the inspection. The weather was warm and, although there were rain <br /> showers the past few days,the ground was dry. <br /> HYDROLOGIC BALANCE -Rule 4.05 Drainage Control 4.05.1,4.05.2,4.05.3; Siltation Structures 4.05.5, <br /> 4.05.6; Discharge Structures 4.05.7,4.05.10; Diversions 4.05.4; Effluent Limits 4.05.2; Ground Water <br /> Monitoring 4.05.13; Surface Water Monitoring 4.05.13; Drainage—Acid and Toxic Materials 4.05.8; <br /> Impoundments 4.05.6,4.05.9; Stream Buffer Zones 4.05.18: <br /> -The RPE ponds were basically dry at the time of the inspection. Mike Peacock indicated that they were <br /> discharged within the last week. The ponds were well vegetated and stable and no problems were noted. <br /> GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLANCE: <br /> -The current mining operations at the West Elk Mine are in the E-Seam in longwall panel E3. They are currently <br /> mining between cross-cut 22 and 23 at approximately station 39+00. They are currently doing development work <br /> in the panel E5 headgate and are between cross-cut 18 and 19 at approximately station 31+40. There is no change <br /> in the development work in the panel E6 headgate or the E South Mains since the last inspection. Overall,mining <br /> is progressing as permitted and shown on Map 51 -E-Seam Projected Operations. <br /> PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES—Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface <br /> Stabilization; Placement: <br /> -The operator was continuing to move the stockpiled refuse from the RPE to the RPEE. Through a contractor <br /> they were using an excavator and two articulated trucks. The material was being spread and compacted as <br /> required. Based on recent inspections,it appears as though there is approximately 25%of the refuse stockpile <br /> remaining. <br /> Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1 <br /> Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br />