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SECTION I - MINE STATUS AND HISTORY <br />The Coors Energy Company (CEC) is permitted, by Permit C- 1981 -028, to conduct surface coal mining and <br />reclamation operations at the Keenesburg Strip Mine. This operation is located on private land in Weld <br />County, Colorado, approximately seven miles north of Keenesburg, Colorado, at the north end of an <br />extension to Weld County Road 59. That portion of the permit area where mining took place is located in <br />Sections 25 and 36, Township 33 North, Range 64 West of the 6r'' P.M., Weld County, Colorado. Mining <br />was accomplished in two surface pits, Pit A and Pit B. An access road right of way and some topsand (sandy <br />topsoil) storage areas are located in Sections 2 and 11, Township 2 North, Range 64 West and in Sections 25 <br />and 36, Township 3 North, Range 64 West, of the 6"' P.M., Weld County, Colorado. The total permit area <br />contains 555.4 Acres. CEC operations disturbed 438 acres within the permit area. <br />The permit was first issued on November 3, 1981. It was renewed on November 3, 1986, November 3, 1991, <br />November 3, 1996, November 3, 2001, November 3, 2006 and October 17, 2011. Approval of technical <br />revision to the permit in 1987(TR13) provided for the controlled disposal of flyash as a portion of the backfill <br />of mine pits. Coal extraction operations ceased in December 1987 (Findings, Permit Renewal No. 2 March <br />17, 1992), and operations at the site have been limited to reclamation since that time. Disposal of hard rock <br />mine wastes was permitted via a minor revision (MR34, August 11, 1996) and a small amount of hard rock <br />waste was placed in Pit B. Backfill of Pit A was completed in September 1998, and the placement of topsoil <br />and initial seeding was accomplished in 1999 (1999 Annual Reclamation Report). The permit renewal (RN6) <br />allowed for continuation of flyash disposal and reclamation activities. Reclamation activities consist of <br />progressive backfill of Pit B with flyash, followed by placement of spoil and topsoil (topsand) cover, and <br />seeding. <br />Reclamation work remaining at the site includes the completion of Pit B backfill, demolition of the remaining <br />temporary facilities, grading, placement of topsoil and seeding. <br />3 <br />