2012-09-21_INSPECTION - C1980007

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September 13, 2012 C- 1980- 007/West Elk Mine JRS PROCESSING WASTE /COAL MINE WASTE PILES (cont.) - As stated above, West Elk continues to move the stockpiled material from the RPE to the RPEE. The material is going onto the third lift and is being spread and compacted as it is being dumped. The material is being spread with a dozer in very thin lifts (approximately six inches) and compacted with a dozer and the wheeled haul trucks. (According to the latest refuse pile compaction reports from 2Q12, the compaction is adequate.) The underdrain has been extended up the draw approximately 150 feet. The underdrain has been covered with refuse to keep the rock and filter fabric in place. There is still a large amount of subsoil in the area above the current working lift that will need to be removed prior to placing refuse here. This material will be used for the construction of the upper haul road for the RPEE. The first two lifts of the RPEE have been well graded and remain stable. West Elk is waiting to place subsoil and topsoil on these lifts and reseed them until after its consultant (Barr) finishes a study on the buttress and colluvial fill. They may, based on the results of this study, place more refuse on these slopes. The colluvial fill has been covered with subsoil and remains stable. The phase IA buttress also remains stable. West Elk has also completed the upper portion of the drainage ditch below the pile up to the bend, where the direction of flow changes from north to west. The ditch has been lined and riprapped as required. They were working on this lower portion of the ditch during the inspection. The Division will inspect the ditch once it has been completed. West Elk has also removed the loose material that was on the cut slope below (north of) the buttress and above the ditch. This material could have fallen into the ditch and clogged it up. The Division appreciates West Elk's prompt attention to this matter. ROADS — Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3)14.03.2(3) Drainage 4.03.1(4)/4.03.2(4) Surfacing and Maintenance4.03.1(5) and (6)/4.03.2(5) and (6) Reclamation 4.03.1(7)/4.03.2(7): - The main haul road is a paved road up to the facilities area. This road was stable and well maintained and no problems were noted. The haul road that extends up to the material storage bench and portal area is also well maintained and stable, with no problems noted. - The haul road that extends up to the Sylvester Gulch facilities area is a dirt road. This road was well maintained and stable and no erosional problems were noted at the time of the inspection. - The haul road spur to the RPE was well maintained and stable and no rutting or erosional problems were noted on this portion of the road. - The haul road to the RPEE was stable and well maintained at the time of the inspection. There was no rutting or erosional problems noted on this road at the time of the inspection. West Elk was actively blading the road during the inspection. The repaired slide area by the RPE appeared to remain stable. Please see the "Slides and Other Damage" section below for more detailed information. - The roads at the bottom area of the facilities area (around the coal stockpiles) were all stable and well maintained. There was no rutting or erosional problems noted at the time of the inspection. SLIDES and DAMAGE - Rule 4.12: - The repairs completed on slide on the lower portion of HR -I remain stable. There was no evidence of any further sliding, even after the past few days of heavy rains. There was a small amount of water coming from the drain pipe so it appears as though the filter blanket is working and intercepting at least some of the water. The area has been seeded and covered with coconut fiber matting. If the slide area can get some good vegetative growth it should help stabilize the area. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 4 of 12