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Module 26: Remining Of Areas with Preexisting Pollutional Discharges
Instructions:
Information submitted under this Module must be certified by a licensed professional geologist.
This module should be completed if the development of any coal preparation facility or coal refuse disposal area will
involve the remining of abandoned surface mine land.
26.1
Abandoned Mine Lands
a. Total acres of abandoned surface mine land located within the proposed surface
activity site boundaries.
b. Total acres of abandoned surface mine land to be re-affected by the proposed
remining operation.
c.
Total acres of abandoned underground mines located within the proposed
surface mining activity site boundaries.
(If abandoned underground mines occur on more than one coal seam, identify
the acreage by coal seam.)
d. Total acres of abandoned underground mines to be re-affected or daylighted
by the proposed remining operation.
(If abandoned underground mines occur on more than one coal seam, identify
the acreage to be mined by coal seam.)
e. Total linear feet of abandoned highwall within the proposed surface activity
site boundaries.
f.
26.2
Total linear feet of abandoned highwall to be eliminated by remining operation.
Abandoned Mine Drainage
a. Total number of preexisting pollutional discharges occurring on areas located
within or hydrologically connected to the surface activity site and the Pollution
Abatement Area which will be affected by the proposed remining operation.
26.3
Eligibility Requirements
Does the surface mine operator, company officer, principal shareholder, agent, partner, associate, parent
corporation, contractor, subcontractor, or related party as defined in 25 PA Code §86.63(1) have any of the
following?
a. Legal responsibility or liability as an operator for treating the water pollution
discharges from or on the proposed pollution abatement area?
(i.e., pre-existing pollutional discharges included in Module 26.2.)
Yes
No
b. Statutory responsibility or liability for reclaiming the proposed pollution
abatement area? (i.e., abandoned surface and underground mines
included in Module 26.1.)
Yes
No
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26.4
2/2012
Remining Map
Provide a map or plan that includes the surface mining activity site permit area and the surrounding area
within 1,000 feet and shows the boundaries of the pollution abatement area. The pollution abatement area is
the part of the permit area which is causing or contributing to the baseline pollution load, including areas
which must be affected to implement the pollution abatement plan. Each map or plan must be clear,
accurate, easily read and on the following scale; 1 inch = 200 ft. for sites greater than 100 acres, 1 inch = 100
ft. for sites from 25 to 100 acres, and 1 inch = 50 ft. for sites less than 25 acres. Identify the map or plan as
Exhibit 26.4-Remining Map.
Each map or plan must bear the seal or facsimile imprint of a registered professional engineer or a registered
land surveyor. For items d), f) and g), show the barrier areas (within the permit area and any barriers
adjacent to the permit area which extend into the permit area) for the features as established by
Section 86.102 regulations (e.g., 300 feet to occupied dwelling). If proposing or requesting a variance to the
barrier (when authorized by Section 86.102), show the variance areas. Show all of the following information
within the permit area and for a distance of 1,000 feet from the permit area, unless specified otherwise.
Note: The applicant has the option of including items, c, h, i, j, k, r and t on Exhibit 9.1 (Operations Map) and
not submitting Exhibit 26.4, provided that all of the required information can be easily read.
a. Topographic contours (contour interval of 20 feet or less)
b. Proposed permit area
c.
Limits of proposed pollution abatement area
d. All surface water bodies such as streams, lakes, ponds, springs, wetlands, mine discharges, and
constructed or natural drains (include barrier areas and any proposed variance areas, and names of
streams and lakes) use a unique label for each unnamed tributary
e. Property lines (key ownership to Module 5)
f.
All buildings (include current use and barrier areas, and any proposed variance areas)
g. All man made features such as roads, utilities including utility lines, and other man-made features
(include names and barrier areas and any proposed variance areas)
h. Location and identification of all preexisting discharges for which Subchapter F authorization is being
requested, proposed Subchapter F sampling and monitoring points, and all other monitoring points
i.
Where numerous discharges are to be collected or aggregated for monitoring purposes, delineate
applicable hydrologic unit boundaries (discrete groundwater recharge areas or discharge zones)
j.
Existing or previously surface mined areas, existing highwalls; existing structures and existing areas of
refuse, spoil, waste, and coal processing waste disposal
k.
The full areal extent of active and abandoned underground mines if mining above or through; clearly
showing all openings to the mine, and all underground mine areas to be daylighted
l.
The crop lines and final highwall limit for each coal seam to be mined
m. Phases of mining (indicate sequence)
n. Spoil storage areas
o. Haul roads (outside of area being mined)
p. Coal refuse and acid and toxic-forming material disposal areas
q. Area proposed to be auger mined
r.
All areas of special mining or abatement practices including alkaline addition, special handling of toxic or
acid-forming strata, and any other techniques identified in the abatement plan (Module 26.6)
s.
Water treatment facilities (Module 12);
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t.
26.5
2/2012
Auxiliary water treatment facilities for preexisting pollutional discharges which will not be encountered
during active mining operations.
Baseline Pollution Load
a. Provide a description of each preexisting pollutional discharge included in Module 26.2, and report on
Form 26.5A. Include latitude and longitude in the description of the discharge location. Determine
whether the discharge is point source or non-point source (a point source discharge is ”any discernible,
confined and discrete conveyance including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit,
well, discrete fissure”, etc.; whereas a diffuse seepage zone is a non-point source). The determination of
whether the discharge will be physically encountered by mining equipment during active mining
operations or remain not encountered must be consistent with the mining plan and abatement plan
shown on Module’s 9 and 26.4. If the discharge currently flows to or combines with other discharges, or if
the discharge will be combined with or collected with (e.g., by a trench or channel) other discharges prior
to or during mining and reclamation, indicate (by monitoring point number) which other discharge(s) it will
be combined with on Form 26.5A.
b. Provide a detailed description of the water quality and quantity monitoring program used to establish the
baseline pollution load. Include a description of the flow measuring device(s) used and method(s) used
to calculate flow rate for the discharges shown on Form 26.5B. The water quality and quantity monitoring
program shall be continued on a monthly basis, or more frequently, while the application is in process
until a sufficient number of samples have been collected to provide a stable statistical estimate of the
baseline pollution load. Complete Form 26.5B and cross-reference samples used in pollution load
calculations to water sample analyses in Form 8.13A “Background or Monitoring Report”. (Form 26.5B
must be updated prior to permit issuance.)
c.
Provide a summary of the baseline pollution load data including the effects of seasonal variations,
variations in response to precipitation events, and modeled baseline pollution load data, where
appropriate. Complete Form 26.5C to document the statistical summary of the baseline pollution load.
Specify the number of samples and the starting and ending dates of samples used in computing the
statistical summary. Identify any spurious samples shown on Form 26.5B or Form 8.13A “Background or
Monitoring Report”, which were excluded from the statistical computation shown on Form 26.5C, and
explain the basis for determining that the samples are spurious. (Form 26.5C must be updated prior to
permit issuance.)
d. Provide a monitoring plan designed to identify benefits and impacts in light of those anticipated.
26.6
Abatement Plan
The abatement plan is an individual technique or combination of techniques, the implementation of which will
result in reduction of the baseline pollution load. A demonstration must be made that the proposed
abatement plan will result in significant reduction of the baseline pollution load and represents best
technology. Abatement techniques which constitute best management practices (BMP’s) include but are not
limited to: regrading abandoned mine spoils, daylighting abandoned underground mines, special plans for
managing toxic and acid forming material, addition of alkaline material, hydrologic control measures, and
revegetation and stabilization of abandoned mine lands. The technical soundness of the best management
practices and associated costs in abating or ameliorating to the maximum extent possible pollutional
discharges from or on the pollution abatement area are the most critical elements of the best professional
judgment analysis, in which abatement and treatment techniques and costs are evaluated to determine
effluent limitations for the preexisting pollutional discharges.
a. Provide a detailed description of the proposed abatement plan representing best management practices.
Include plans, cross-sections, and schematic drawings keyed to Exhibit 26.4. Indicate on the checklist
below, which best management practices are to be employed:
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BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
i.
Regrading of abandoned mine spoil/highwalls
ii.
Daylighting of abandoned underground mines
IMPLEMENTATION COST
iii. Special handling of acid forming materials
iv. Addition of alkaline material
v.
Hydrologic control measures (e.g., diversions, seals, underdrains, etc.)
vi. Revegetation of abandoned mine lands
vii. Application of sewage sludge
viii. Other (specify)
TOTAL COST:
(For items i through viii above, the costs cannot include actual mining costs which would be incurred in
mining a similar site without abandoned mine lands.)
If item (i) above is checked, provide estimates of: (a) the total cubic yards of spoil to be regraded, (b) the
cost per cubic yard for regrading considering equipment, labor, operating costs, etc., (c) the percentage
by volume of the abandoned mine spoil existing within the surface activity site which will be regraded and
(d) an explanation of why any remaining percentage of abandoned mine spoil is not proposed to be
regraded as part of the abatement plan. (Areas to be regraded must be clearly delineated on
Exhibit 26.4.)
If item (ii) above is checked, indicate whether the proposed daylighting is complete or partial and provide
an explanation of the facts or assumptions (e.g., ratio of solid coal to mine voids used in computing
mineable reserves, coal thickness, coal quality, etc.) used to determine the economic feasibility of the
proposed extent of daylighting. (Areas to be daylighted must be clearly shown on Exhibit 26.4.)
If item (iv) above is checked, provide a justification for the amounts of alkaline material to be added
during mining and reclamation, including reference to overburden analysis data used to define potentially
acidic and potentially alkaline strata, information on the quality of alkaline material to be added (i.e.,
neutralization potential and particle size data), and associated calculations of the volume of alkaline
material needed to neutralize or inhibit acid mine drainage.
b. Provide detailed calculations including materials costs and handling costs for each step of the abatement
procedure, exclusive of actual mining costs which would be incurred for a similar site.
c.
What is the anticipated pollution reduction benefit resulting from implementation of the abatement plan?
Consider impacts on discharge quality and quantity. Provide detailed documentation and cite references
where applicable.
i. What will be the quantitative impacts on surface water infiltration, evapotranspiration and recharge to
the discharges; effect on flow rates?
ii. What impact is predicted on water quality and what supporting data is available?
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FORM 26.5A:
PRE-EXISTING POLLUTIONAL DISCHARGE INVENTORY
Sample
Point No.
Location Description
Latitude
Longitude
Point/
Encountered/
Non-Point Not Encountered
Relationship
Hydrologic
to Other
Unit (1)
Discharges (2) Flow Path (3)
Comments
(1) Hydrologic units may be defined in cases where two or more discharges occur within a hydrologically discrete ground water flow system.
If no hydrologic unit is defined, leave blank.
(2) Use the following codes: NC = discharge does not combine with other discharges, CN = discharge naturally combines/coalesces with other
discharges, CM = discharge is presently combined with other discharges by man-made control (ditch, culvert, etc.), CP = discharge will be combined
with other discharges following permit issuance.
(3) Indicate flow to surface water (SW) or flow to ground water (GW) or mine pool (MP).
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FORM 26.5B:
BASELINE POLLUTION LOAD
1
2
Monitoring Station I.D.
Description
Flow Measuring Device
Will discharge be encountered during
active mining operations?
Yes
No
Equation or Method to Calculate Flow:
Date
Note:
Flow (GPM)
Acidity Load
Fe Load
Mn Load
Al Load
SO4 Load
All load values to be reported in pounds per day (concentration in mg/l x flow in gallons/minute x 0.01202 =
load in lbs./day).
Notes:
1
2
All sample analysis results must be included in Form 8.13A Background or Monitoring Report.
For weir, specify type, flow equation and measuring point; for stream, include rating curve where applicable; for
culverts, include equation and reference.
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FORM 26.5C:
BASELINE POLLUTION LOAD SUMMARY
Monitoring Station I.D.
NUMBER OF SAMPLES (N) =
ALL SAMPLES FROM
ACIDITY
1.
Range
2.
Median
3.
Quartiles
low
4.
Appx. 95% Confidence Limits
high
low
5.
(Based upon ’C-Spread’/32nds)
95% Confidence Intervals
high
low
Median
high
IRON
LOADING IN LBS./DAY
MANGANESE
ALUMINUM
SULFATE
low
high
*About *
* Note:
Confidence Intervals about median calculated M±1.96 (1.25 R/1.35 _N) where M = Median, R = Range between Quartiles, N = Number of Samples
(From: McGill, R., Tukey, J.W., and Larsen, W.A. (1978) The American Statistician, Vol. 32, No. 1, p. 16)
Note:
Alternative statistical parameters may be used in place of items 1 through 5 above to summarize the baseline pollution load, providing that the
applicant demonstrates that the alternative parameters are statistically valid and applicable.
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FORM 26.8A:
TREATMENT COSTS SCHEDULE
Treatment Facility I.D.:
(Treatable Unit)
Discharges to be Treated (Key to Exhibit 26.1
and Module 26.2(a)):
Mean Daily Flow (MGD):
Average Acidity Load (Lbs/Day):
I.
Average Iron Load (Lbs/Day):
FACILITY AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS: For new facilities needed in addition to treatment ponds
associated with primary operation. Include appropriate plans with dimensions, capacities and equipment to be
used.
A)
Treatment Ponds: (minimum of two basins in series with a minimum six (6)-hour detention time for each
basin and sufficient capacity for sludge storage).
total pond capacity
total sludge storage capacity
total detention time
estimated cost for pond construction:
B)
Facilities and Equipment: List any equipment to be used in treatment (tanks, mixers, dispensers,
aerators, chemical feeders, etc.) and itemize cost.
Total Facilities and Equipment Cost:
TOTAL FACILITY AND CONSTRUCTION COST
II.
TREATMENT REAGENT COSTS:
Treatment Reagent(s) to be used:
Cost Per Pound and Source:
Efficiency %
Reagent Purity %
LBS Reagent Per Day Required for Treatment*
Reagent Cost Per Year (LBS/DAY x COST x 365)
* Reagent LBS/DAY 
Stoichiome tric
Equivalenc e
III.
x
LBS/DAY
Acidity
x
1
Purity Factor
x
1
Efficiency Factor
ANNUAL OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS:
Operating costs include labor for operators,
maintenance costs for ponds and equipment, sludge removal and disposal costs and power costs. Provide
detailed cost calculations where applicable or cite data source.
A)
Annual labor (man-years)
@
/man-year
B)
Pond and Equipment Maint. (attach supplemental data if needed)
C)
Total annual sludge disposal costs:
D)
Electricity: Killowatt Hours
@ Unit Cost
Total
Total Annual Operating and Maint. Cost
IV.
TOTAL COST CALCULATION:
Facility and Construction
Treatment Reagent
Operations and Maintenance
5-Year
TOTAL
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Revegetation
Provide land use and reclamation information relevant to the pollution abatement area in Module’s 17, 18,
and 19. Identify the standard of success for revegetation of the pollution abatement area which will be
achieved and the basis upon which the standard is established (refer to 25 PA Code §87.205(5)). Indicate if
more than one standard is to be achieved at different areas.
26.8
Treatment Costs
Calculate the costs of treatment of discharges identified in Form 26.5A to the effluent standards set forth in
25 PA Code §87.102. Where it is feasible to route two (2) or more discharges to a single treatment facility,
the individual discharges should be combined as a “treatable unit” with the treatment costs calculated
accordingly. Consider short-term treatment cost (i.e., five (5) years or less) and long term treatment costs
(i.e., 50 years or greater). For each individual treatment facility, include a Treatment Costs Schedule 26.8A.
In some cases, it may be possible to use treatment facilities designed for active mining area (Module 12) for
treatment of preexisting discharges, provided that the design capacity is adequate. In cases where auxiliary
treatment facilities would be required to provide treatment of preexisting discharges, include an auxiliary
treatment plan with appropriate designs, dimensions, and capacities. Actual construction of facilities and
implementation of treatment plans may be required on a contingency basis only, depending on the
Department’s Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) analysis.
26.9
Coal Production
For each seam, calculate the total tonnage of coal to be mined within the permit area by surface mining
methods. Unless site-specific data is available, a unit coal weight of 1,800 tons/acre-foot should be used.
Coal Seam
Acreage To Be
Mined
Avg.
Thickness
% Recovery*
Acre-Feet
Tonnage
TOTAL:
* For deep mine daylighting or other areas without full reserve, the percent of coal remaining corrected for pit
losses must be used. Where deep mined and unmined areas exist on the same seam, calculate separately.
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Remining Cost Summary
a. Determine the following costs from information provided in Module’s 26.6 and 26.8.
i.
Cost per ton of coal mined to implement the abatement plan.
ii.
Cost per ton of coal mined to implement the treatment plan for the preexisting
pollution discharges (50 year basis).
iii. Combined cost per ton of coal mined to implement the abatement plan
and the treatment plan, (i) + (ii).
b. Based upon the information provided in item 26.10a and any other engineering and economic information
relevant to the proposed remining operation, determine the following:
i.
ii.
Is the proposed remining operation economically feasible if the treatment plan is
implemented at the commencement of mining, and the abatement plan is
implemented as proposed?
Yes
No
Is the proposed remining operation economically feasible if the treatment plan is
implemented at the commencement of mining, and the abatement plan is deleted
from the remining proposal or reduced in scope and cost?
Yes
No
Yes
No
iii. Is the proposed remining operating economically feasible if the abatement plan is
implemented as proposed, and the treatment plan is reduced in scope and cost?
If NO is checked in item i, ii, or iii above, provide an explanation of factors considered in determining that the
remining operation is not economically feasible.
c.
List and describe any unique factors pertaining to the proposed remining operation which could potentially
enhance or impede the implementation of the abatement plan and/or the treatment plan. Provide an
explanation of the cost effect of these factors upon the proposed remining operation.
d. List and describe any adverse or beneficial non-water quality environmental impacts which potentially will
result from the proposed remining operation. Provide an explanation of any cost effects associated with
these impacts.
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