_INSPECTION - C1980007 ‎(6)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• From: DRMS
• To: Kathy Welt
• Inspection Date: 10/24/2012
• Email Name: JRS
• Email Name: DIH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

October 24, 2012 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine JRS
BACKFILL and GRADING (cont.): -West Elk was also completing reclamation on the four B-Seam MDW's in
the Box Canyon area of the mine, along the Box Canyon Road. The first pad (going up the canyon from north to
south)was for wells 19-07 and 19-08. The second pad was for well 19-06. The third pad was for wells 20-25 and
20 35. The fourth pad was for wells 5-21-28 and 6-21-25.5. All of the pads were well graded and stable. They
were well blended into the surrounding undisturbed lands and drainage at all of the pads has been reestablished.
All of the pads have had the topsoil replaced and all of the stockpiled brush and trees (from the grubbing prior to
constructing the pads)has been spread around the pads. The third and fourth pads have been seeded and mulched
and 75 box elder tublings were being planted on each pad. The first and second pads will be seeded and mulched
when planting on the other pads has been completed. Once the drill pads have been finished the road will be
reclaimed as well. The fourth drill pad is at the headwaters of the drainage. There are two small channels that
have been reestablished on the pad. Straw waddles have been placed into these drainages to help control the
runoff. Overall,the reclamation West Elk is completing in the Box Canyon area is very good.
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:
-Pond SG-1 was almost dry and was not discharging at the time of the inspection. The embankment was well
vegetated and stable and no erosional problems were noted. The emergency spillway is an open, riprapped
channel. The spillway was stable.
-The RPE ponds were basically dry at the time of the inspection. Both cells of the pond have been cleaned. The
pond embankments were well vegetated and stable and no erosional problems were noted. The ditches around the
RPE were clean and stable and no erosional problems were noted.
-Pond MB 3 contained water at a level approximately four feet below the discharge pipe and was not discharging
at the time of the inspection. The pond has been cleaned. The pond embankment was well vegetated and stable
and no erosional problems were noted.
Pond MB-5E contained water in each cell approximately three feet below the inlet culverts to the pond and was
not discharging at the time of the inspection(west Elk does not have an NPDES discharge point at this pond yet
and must pump it back up to one of the other ponds for discharge). The pond embankment was stable and no
erosional problems were noted. There are still some springs on the south inslope of the pond. These areas will
need to be monitored to ensure stability of the pond. The emergency spillway is an open, riprapped channel. The
spillway remains stable.
-West Elk has replaced the waste water treatment facility polishing pond with a buried tank. The discharge for
the tank is down the slope from the waste water treatment facility. Enclosing the pond (the tank)will keep the
effluent from being "contaminated"with coal fines and exceeding the discharge limits. The backfilled tank area
appeared to be stable. The tank was approved through Minor Revision 387.
-The mine discharge pond below the Sylvester Gulch facilities area contained water approximately eight feet
below the top and was not discharging at the time of the inspection. The pond embankment was well vegetated
and stable and no erosional problems were noted.
-The ditches around the LRP and lower coal stockpile area remain clean and stable.
-The freshwater pond 1 contained water approximately six feet below the overflow ditch. The pond is a lined
pond and remains stable.
Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 1
Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2
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