_INSPECTION - C1981012 (6) - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 16, 2012 C-1981-012/New Elk Mine LDS • The ditches and berm protecting the stream buffer zone in the area of the shop was in good shape,those on the south side of the shop area were also good. • Some disturbed area runoff from the soil stockpile was running into clean-water ditch D7, it should be diverted into ditch D6 with a berm, or D6 could be extended to the south and east to catch the runoff. • Machinery and equipment continued to be stored along the sides of the roads in the area adjacent to the explosives area. In principle this is not a problem,however, as was observed in September, some machinery and scrap metal had encroached into the ditch D5 and also outside of the area protected by the ditch(see photos 5-8), compromising the function and integrity of the ditch. • Clean water culvert C3 was partially blocked and needs to be cleared out(see photo 9). • The SAE at the water tanks was in generally good shape. Straw bales had been replenished,but a couple of low spots in the berm need to be built up (see photos 10-12). • At the lower tank the SAE was in generally good shape, although the berm on the east side should be built up a little. The SAE is not shown on map 13-1,this should be addressed in the mid-term permit review. In addition the "old"D 18 should be reclaimed, and the "new"D26,which has been approved, should be constructed in accordance with map 13-1. On the north side of the highway: • The upland diversion ditch above the RDA appears to be unfit for purpose,with at least one low spot along its length. A large rain event would surely breach the ditch; indeed,there is some evidence of breaching before C75. This ditch should be surveyed and certified by a professional engineer as part of the RDA quarterly inspection report program. There is also trash in the ditch that should be cleared out(see photos 13-14). • Following on from the previous point, C75 appears to slope in the wrong direction. Additionally,the N end of the culvert is caved in and must be restored(see photo 15). • C76 was clear(although it appeared to be higher than C75). Some ditch maintenance is needed east of the culvert. • On the east side of the RDA the first culvert (unlabelled)had caved in a little (see photo 19). Bobby said that he plans to remove it anyway as it serves no purpose. • The second culvert,under the conveyor, is not shown on map 13-1. This should be addressed during the mid-term permit review process. • The large clean water culvert C41 under the conveyor was caved in (see photo 20) and the outlet was 75% blocked. Table 21 in the permit specifies the minimum diameter for this culvert as 48", restoring or replacing it should therefore be considered a matter of priority. • At the junction point between the two conveyors several large gullies had formed which had bypassed the straw bales put there as a flow control (see photo 21). Bobby mentioned that he may manage this difficult to access area in the future by constructing a sump which could be cleaned out regularly using an excavator when the mine is operational. • Both pond 8 and containment 5 were holding water. Pond 8 will need to be cleaned out soon,trash should also be removed(see photos 22-23). • The straw bales above containment 5 appeared to be doing an excellent job at holding back sediment,as were the bales to the east,above the highway. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 2 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 4 of 20