2024-05-03_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (2)

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2.05-86 Rev. 11/96- PR07; 04/06-PR10; 12/14- TR136, 04/24 – TR153 to specific sections, such as those on roads and major surface facilities, for backfilling and grading procedures relating to reclamation. (4) Topsoil Removal, Storage, and Redistribution Topsoil is removed, stored, and distributed as described earlier in Section 2.05.4. These same procedures will guide handling of the topsoil after the West Elk Mine is closed and abandoned. (5) Revegetation Post-Mining Land Use and Topography The pre-mining land use is rangeland and wildlife habitat. It is desired to provide final reclamation of the disturbed areas that is self-sustaining and provides habitat suitable for domestic livestock and wildlife. As a result of concentrating the refuse disposal to as few acres as possible, only minimal impact will occur. The disposal areas will occupy a maximum of approximately 65 acres. Refuse disposal will occupy less than one percent of the total life-of-mine plan area (Exhibit 50 and Exhibit 51). Post- mining topography of the affected area is indicated on Map 58 and Map 59. Except within the landslide area (if the upper refuse disposal site is constructed) and the lower refuse disposal site described in Exhibit 51, the reclaimed slopes will be similar to the pre-mining topography or less, if necessary, to assure a 1.3 factor of safety after reclamation. Cut-and-fill terraces are not anticipated nor proposed at this time. Rangeland and wildlife habitat was selected as the post-mining land use for the refuse disposal areas because of the pre-mining conditions in the area. Reclamation at the West Elk Mine will provide grazing for livestock as well as develop cover, food, and nesting areas for wildlife. The surrounding heavily shrubbed areas and clusters of planted shrubs will provide adequate edge effect to insure a diverse wildlife habitat within a rangeland meadow plant community. (6) Sealing and Managing Mine Openings Mine Area The West Elk Mine will be abandoned and sealed after the mine life has expired. Currently, Mountain Coal Company plans to leave no openings to the surface. In addition, all seals will be placed underground. Details on seals for the mine openings are provided in Exhibit 54. Shafts and Vents Mountain Coal Company will provide appropriate seal designs for the ventilation shafts and vents to the CDMG before sealing. The seal designs will take into account the actual conditions for the particular areas for both quality and quantity of water, if present. MCC will seal the Sylvester Gulch ventilation shafts as required by MSHA and CMLRB regulations for permanent closure of