2007-03-06_REVISION - C1994082 - Laserfiche WebLink

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final open pit(s) when a mine ceases its operations). It is important to note that while backfilling and regrading dollars "float" at a surface mine, costs for replacing topsoil and revegetation aze cumulative. SCC requested that the Division release dollars associated with the backfilling and regrading of the pits within the bond release area. These pits were mined in previous permit terms and the dollazs associated with their backfilling and regrading have been "floated" to successive pits. The costs calculated for the worst case disturbance at the Yoast Mine are shown on the figure "Yoast Mine - Final Active Pits as of 24 August 2004". These pits aze the Neck Pit, the Valora Pit, the South Valora Pit, the Scraper Pit and the Wolf Creek Pit. Costs for backfilling and grading will be reduced when the total area requested is more than what is covered by the worst case disturbance. The Division is proposing a monetary release for the construction ofpost-mining channel 9 (YPM-9). The Division finds that this channel is constructed in accordance with the approved permit design, is stable and is functioning as designed. As stated above, the releasable amount for YPM-9 is $11,862.00. The Division currently holds a corporate surety in the amount of $5,200,000.00 from the Seaboard Surety Company (CS329873) for the Yoast Mine. The required surety for the Yoast Mine, prior to the Partial Phase I Bond Release SL-O1, is $5,046,639.00. This current liability of $5,046,639.00 is based on several recent permitting actions, the chronology of which is detailed below. On 6 October 2004 the Division approved Technical Revision 25. This revision was for variance in contemporaneous reclamation for the Valora Pit at the Yoast Mine. The revision increased the Mine's liability $580,530.00 to $5,128,121.00. At that point the operator submitted a corporate surety for $5,200,000.00. Following the approval of Technical Revision 25, the Division received Permit Revision 02. This revision changed the Yoast Mine's mine plan and modified portions of the mine's reclamation plan. Permit Revision 02 was approved on 28 February and decreased the required liability $209,898.00. The decrease in required liability was related to the changes in the reclamation plan approved with Permit Revision 02 and not reclamation that had been completed at the Yoast Mine. On 28 February 2006 the Division issued a "Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance for the Yoast Mine". On page 9 of the Findings, the Division discusses the approval of the Bond Reduction for the Yoast Mine. The new required liability following Permit Revision 02 was $4,918,233.00. Permit Revision 02 was followed by Technical Revision 29. This revision changed portions of the Yoast Mine's post-mining topography and some of its post-mining drainage channels. Technical Revision 29 was approved on 15 June 2006 and increased the required liability $128,416.00. The increase was related to the changes and additions to the post-mining drainage channels at the Yoast Mine. The new required liability following Technical Revision 29 was $5,046,639.00. There have been no revisions to the Yoast Mine permit that have changed the mine's liability since the approval of Technical Revision 29. Prior to the approval of the Partial Phase I Bond Release SL- O1 the required liability at the Yoast mine remains at $5,046,639.00. 13