_INSPECTION - C1980007 (8) - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 5, 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 was working on the third lift of the RPEE at the time of the inspection. Material is being dumped, spread and compacted in very thin lifts. Based on the recent quarterly refuse pile inspection report,the refuse is being compacted to at least 90%density. The pile was well graded and stable and there was no water pooling on the surface. The outslopes of the two previous lifts were well graded and stable,with no erosional problems noted. The operator was working on extending the underdrain up the valley to allow for more refuse placement. It appeared as though there was approximately ten feet of underdrain exposed to tie into. The underdrain is large riprap that is covered with filter fabric. The operator has also been removing the large amount of colluvial material ahead of refuse placement. The rock and colluvial buttresses remain stable at the time of the inspection. Mountain Coal continues to add rock to the buttress as they work on completing the Phase IB buttress. They have reclaimed an short stretch of road that was used to conduct exploration for the RPEE. The road appears to be returned to AOC and was reseeded and covered with coconut fiber matting. -The operator has almost completed the moving the stockpiled refuse at the RPE to the RPEE. There is only a very small pile remaining. They have also completed excavation of material from the RPE to allow for a larger temporary winter stockpile while the RPEE is inaccessible. This material was also hauled to the RPEE. There is some material that will still be excavated from the RPE and run through the wash plant when it begins running. This will occur when they start mining in the E4 panel. The RPE was well graded and stable and there was no water pooling on the surface of the pile. The reclaimed surfaces of the RPE remain well vegetated and stable. There were no bare spots or erosional problems noted. -The reclaimed slopes of the LRP remained well vegetated and stable at the time of the inspection. There were no erosional problems noted on these slopes. The surface of the pile is where the processing plant and a storage area are located. This surface is also stable. ROADS—Rule 4.03 Construction 4.03.1(3)/4.03.2(3) Drainage 4.03.l(4)/4.03.2(4) Surfacing and Maintenance 4.03.1(5)and (6)/4.03.2(5) and(6) Reclamation 4.03.l(7)/4.03.2(7): -The main haul road and access road is a paved road. The road is well maintained and stable. -The haul road to the Sylvester Gulch facilities area was stable and well maintained at the time of the inspection. The road is a dirt road that is surfaced with gravel. There was no rutting on the road and no erosional problems were noted. -HR-1,the haul road to the RPEE,was well maintained and stable at the time of the inspection. The haul road is a dirt road and was surfaced with gravel. There was no rutting or erosional problems noted on the road. -The road spurs to the pond SG-1 and the B-Seam methane hole at the Sylvester Gulch facilities area were both stable and well maintained. There was no rutting or erosional problems noted on either of these road spurs. SLIDES and DAMAGE -Rule 4.12: -The HR-1 slide area appeared to be stable at the time of the inspection. The slide area is covered with coconut fiber matting but there does not appear to be any movement under the fiber. The operator has installed numerous mirrors and inclinometers in and around the slide area to monitor for any possible movement. There was no water flowing from either the crushed rock filter blanket or the French drain at the time of the inspection. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 4 of 18