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BOWIE RESOURCES, LLC <br />Bowie No. 2 Mine <br />Coal Mine Waste Bank Nos. 1, 2, & 3 Inspections — 1st Quarter 2017 <br />On March 3, a visual inspection of the Bowie No. 2 Mine coal mine waste banks was <br />performed by the undersigned in accordance with Rule 4.10.2. This inspection includes Gob <br />Pile Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Pile No. 1 is considered inactive. Pile no. 2 is located north of Bowie <br />Road. Pile no. 3 is located south of Bowie Road. <br />I, Tamme Bishop, P.E., have a wide variety of experience in the design and construction of <br />earth fill embankments. Except for the surficial slips in the uncompacted coverfill at gob pile <br />#2, nothing was observed during the inspection that would indicate the piles have a potential <br />for failure. The slips are the result of a very wet winter followed by a significant rain event. <br />The main slip as noted in the Division's aerial inspection which occurred on March 30 is <br />currently stable, and is drying out as weather improves. <br />A small area of seepage was seen at the toe of gob pile #2, west of the haul road. On the <br />far east side of the top of gob pile #2, gob was stacked in windrows. All organic material and <br />topsoil has been removed ahead of the waste bank founding. It was too wet to inspect the <br />diversion ditches at gob pile #2, an inspection will occur during the 2Q. The upper diversion <br />and lower ditches at gob pile #3 were inspected, and were in good condition, however they <br />should be cleaned out during 2017. A new seep has been discovered at gob pile #3, north <br />of the east drying area. At this time, the seep will not impact the long-term stability of the gob <br />pile. However, before final placement and compaction of gob in the footprint of the east <br />drying area, an underdrain will be installed. Approval of the underdrain design was <br />incorporated into the permit under Technical Revision No. 105. <br />At gob pile #2, the first bench east of the haul road is covered with soil. The second bench <br />east of the haul road is mostly covered with a subsoil pile. Most of the third and forth <br />benches east of the road are covered with soil. Soil has been placed on most of the second <br />and third benches west of the haul road. <br />Most of the coal mine waste was generated from the preparation plant. Approximately <br />54,031 tons of gob were hauled during the quarter with 50% of the gob going to each pile. <br />Coal mine waste is to be placed in the piles in approximately horizontal lifts no more than 24 - <br />inches thick. The coal mine waste is dried and then spread and compacted by self propelled <br />sheepsfoot compactors. No compaction tests were taken at either gob pile #2 or #3 during <br />the quarter. <br />The top of gob pile #2 serves as a drying area for end dumped gob. Gob is to be stacked to <br />a maximum height of 20 feet, with a slope angle up to 1.5h:1 v. A25 foot buffer zone on the <br />face of the gob pile will be maintained at all times. Gob will be spread and compacted to the <br />currently approved slope configuration as soon as gob and weather conditions allow. <br />The westernmost and easternmost sections of gob pile #3 serve as drying areas for end <br />dumped material. The purpose of the gob drying area is to provide an area for temporary <br />-1- <br />