Laserfiche WebLink
the Bates portals and development of workings to access the Blue seam coal seam resulted in excavation <br />and construction of a subsoil stockpile and a development waste disposal area (DWDA #2). The <br />DWDA #2 is located southeast of the main entrance. In 2012, the Division approved construction of a <br />small material storage area for disposal of development waste during NECC's permitting (TR65) of a <br />third Development Waste Disposal Area, DWDA #3, located at the previously reclaimed west portal <br />area. <br />Refuse Disposal Area — New Elk Mine —April 24, 2012 <br />Due to the start up of mining operations in 2011, most of the surface facilities have been put back into <br />operation. The East Portal, the East Portal vent shaft, two portals at the West Mine, the West Mine vent <br />shaft, and the Upper Apache Canyon vent shaft were reopened in 2010 to allow access of men and <br />materials as well as ventilation airways. Two portal entries at the West Mine were resealed in 2010. <br />The West Mine vent fan continues to be used for ventilation. Upon reclamation, the bench areas at the <br />mine will be graded to the approximate original contour. The disturbed areas will be topsoiled <br />(depending on the area) or ripped, then seeded and mulched to establish a vegetative cover of a variety <br />consistent with surrounding vegetation. The stream channel diversion of the Middle Fork of the <br />Purgatoire River, which was approved under Permit Revision #1, is permanent and will remain as <br />constructed. Monitoring has demonstrated that this work was successful and the reconstructed channel <br />is stable. <br />Topsoil was salvaged from the disturbed area above the RDA during each successive movement of the <br />clean water diversion ditch above the RDA. This material will be used in the reclamation of the RDA. <br />A topsoil borrow area in the West Mine area, in addition to stockpiled topsoil, will be used to reclaim <br />the areas of the existing and proposed surface facilities. Due to previous disturbance prior to the <br />enactment of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, very little topsoil is available for use <br />