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Soil <br /> Non-Mined <br /> In the non-mined areas two test holes were excavated to the depth of shovel refusal. Based on visual <br /> observation the soil depth ranged from 8 to 12 inches.The soil had many fine and very fine roots. The <br /> color was dark(10 YR 4/3 estimated) indicating sufficient organic matter content,additionally the soil <br /> structure and consistence was as expected from a natural grassland in a grassland flood plain landform <br /> (Photograph 3). In general,this area appeared to be a good representative of the non-mined soil <br /> conditions with minimal anthropogenic factors affecting the soil development. <br /> Mined <br /> The portion of the mind area of the O'Brien pit had silty loam/sandy loam/loamy sand soils to a depth <br /> between 4 and 6inches,where observed in the two test holes excavated in this area.The soil horizons <br /> were layered with discernable textural and color differences between layered horizons.The soil would <br /> be classified as an entisol with little if any pedogenesis having previously occurred. Based on the visual <br /> evidence there appeared to be approximately 2 inches of sandy loam soil below the layered soils but <br /> above the cobbles and gravels. In addition to the soils not being capable of supporting self-sustaining <br /> vegetation the soils in the mined areas were very compacted and do not appear to be properly prepared, <br /> in my professional opinion. Review of the soils indicates that approximately 2 inches of topsoil may have <br /> been placed and the remaining 2 to 4 inches of soil was likely deposited by flooding of the Big Thompson <br /> River. <br />