2017-11-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981010A (4)

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3.1.5 Reclamation Plan Following mining, pits are backfilled as a part of the overburden and interburden removal operation. The backfilling operations are accomplished in different ways, depending on the equipment utilized in overburden removal operations. In a typical dragline operation, as the dragline excavates a pit, the overburden/interburden material is spoiled (backfilled) into the previous pit (see fig. 3.5-2 A). The backfill material is placed in piles that require additional contouring. Contouring is accomplished with dozers, graders and similar equipment. Occasionally, the dragline is also used. In Multiple Equipment operations, the dragline may be assisted by truck/loader (or excavator) operations and dozer stripping operations. Dozers are utilized to remove interburden material from the "K", and "L" coal seams. The Dragline operation removes the "M" and "Q" interburdens, and the Truck/Loader fleet removes the surface overburden and the "H", and "I" interburden material. The Truck/Loader Operations, as well as the dozer operations, are generally operating several cuts ahead of the dragline operation. In the Multiple Equipment scenario, the dozer fleet pushes the interburden material perpendicular to the cut and into the prior pit. This interburden becomes the first material backfilled into the previous pit and therefore is at the bottom of the backfill sequence. The dragline excavates the lower interburden material above the "M" and "Q" seams and places it on top of the material placed in the prior cut by the dozer fleet. This dragline spoil is the intermediate layer of material within the backfill sequence. The final layer in the backfill sequence is placed by the truck/loader operations. This material is placed in dumps that are in close proximity to the post mining topography (PMT). The final contouring is accomplished with dozers, graders and similar equipment(see Fig. 3.5-2 B). The backfilled pit is graded to approximate the pre-mined contour and blended in with the surrounding topography. Final grading is performed along the contour except where the safety of men and equipment may be compromised. The area is then prepared for topsoil replacement. A dozer pulling a drag, or similarly effective equipment, may be used for areas being reclaimed to cropland. The drag levels ridges made during Recontouring to allow a more uniform depth of topsoil to be laid down. The topsoil is placed on the graded spoil to a predetermined depth as uniformly as is practicable. Fertilization (croplands only)and seedbed preparations follow. The areas are then seeded. (Sections 3.5 and 3.6 discuss these reclamation operations in more detail.) 3-15c Revision: T�? - l S Approved: