_INSPECTION - C1980007 ‎(7)‎

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• From: DRMS
• To: Kathy Welt
• Inspection Date: 11/7/2012
• Email Name: JRS
• Email Name: DIH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

November 7, 2012 C-1980-007/West Elk Mine JRS
PROCESSING WASTE/COAL MINE WASTE PILES—Rule 4.10 and 4.11 Drainage Control; Surface
Stabilization; Placement:
-The operator continues to remove refuse from the RPE and haul it to the RPEE. They are excavating a large lift
that is approximately ten feet deep. This is being done to provide room to stockpile refuse at the RPE during the
winter months when the RPEE is inaccessible due to weather(the operator believes that it will be difficult to keep
the haul road open and safe). The stockpiled material will then be hauled to the RPEE when conditions improve
(probably late in the spring). West Elk added language to their permit regarding the stockpiling of refuse on the
RPE through Minor Revision 388. West Elk was also stockpiling large rock on the RPE. This rock will be hauled
and placed on RPEE buttress during the Phase IB construction. Overall the RPE was well graded and stable.
There was no water pooling on the surface of the pile at the time of the inspection. There were no rills or gullies
or other erosional problems noted on the pile or reclaimed outslopes.
-The operator was hauling refuse from the excavation at the RPE to the RPEE. The material was being dumped,
spread and compacted. They are currently working on the third lift of the pile. The first two lifts are well graded
and stable. West Elk is waiting to reclaim these lifts until they have a determination as to whether or not they can
place additional refuse on that portion of the pile. At the time of the inspection they were working on extending
the underdrain up the valley. They were also working on a finger off of the main underdrain to the west. This will
intercept several springs that were encountered and direct that water under the pile, as opposed to onto or through
the pile. The rock buttress and colluvial fill were both stable at the time of the inspection. They were placing more
rock on the buttress as a part of the Phase IB construction. Much of this rock is coming from the colluvial material
that is being removed in advance of the pile.
ROADS—Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.l(3)/4.03.2(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 access/haul road and the Sylvester Gulch access/haul road were both well maintained and stable. No
rutting or erosional problems were noted at the time of the inspection.
-The haul road to the RPEE was stable and well maintained. The haul road was surfaced with rock/gravel as
required. There was no rutting or erosional problems noted on the road.
SLIDES and DAMAGE -Rule 4.12:
-The HR-1 slide area remained stable at the time of the inspection. There was no visible movement of the slide
remediation area. The Division will continue to monitor the area.
DOCUMENTS RECEIVED: None
This concludes the 7 November 2012 partial inspection report for the West Elk Mine.
Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 3
Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2
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