2019-08-27_PERMIT FILE - C1981035A (8)

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SEALING EXPLORATION DRILL HOLES Any coal exploration drill holes, vent holes, and groundwater monitoring wells (not transferred to the landowner) in the permit area will be backfilled, sealed at water bearing zones, and capped with concrete plugs to meet reclamation requirements. GCC proposed to drill up to 9 exploration holes (TR-22), numbered CO- 15-14 thru CO-15-22 (hole CO-15-22 was not drilled) as shown on Appendix 4 (4) page 1, within the existing permit area. Holes were rotary- drilled, nominally 5 to 6 inches in diameter, to predetermined core points. The total depth of each borehole was about 320 feet. This predetermined core zone was cored by PQ wireline methods. Drilling was with air, air with water injection or water. Cuttings pits were necessary at all locations drilled by conventional methods (see drawing at Appendix 4(4). Locations of holes and existing access roads are shown on the attached topography and drill hole locations map. All 8 boreholes drilled utilized the already disturbed area of the existing roadway minimizing the foot print. Cutting pits were constructed to capture the cuttings for replacement into the completed borehole prior to plugging the hole. Cuttings pits were necessary at all locations drilled by conventional methods (see drawing at Appendix 4(4). Cuttings pits were excavated by a back-hoe and are approximately 6 feet wide by approximately 10 feet long. The pits were unlined and construction was the same for all drilling methods used. Drill holes were sealed by filling with cement or other suitable water sealing material to within 3 feet of the ground surface. The plug was be covered with like material as in road base or topsoil depending which is present. Tracks were be raked or brushed to remove obvious signs of activity. The 9 drill sites will be reseeded (unless disturbance is confined to areas previously disturbed such as preexisting roads, drill pads, etc.) once topsoil has been replaced to pre-disturbance depth using the seed mixes for Rangeland and, if applicable, Pinyon-Juniper as listed in Section 2.05.4, page 12 of this document. Broadcast seeding will be employed due to the very limited size of the disturbed areas. Whenever broadcast methods are employed it is critical to ensure that the seed is subsequently covered through raking, harrowing, or mulching. Seeding rates for broadcast seeding are twice those employed for drill seeding. In addition, applicable sections of the part of this document entitled "REVEGETATION" beginning in Section 2.05.4, page 9 will be adhered to. Drill hole GCC-19-06, as proposed in Minor Revision MR-49, will be drilled and reclaimed as described above in paragraph 2 for exploration holes approved by Technical Revision TR-22. GCC Energy, LLC King II Mine Section 2.05.4 Page 19 July 16, 2019 (MR-49)