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<br /> <br />J.E. Stover & Associates -12- <br />Bowie No. 2 Mine <br />May 31, 1996 <br />the hazards on this specific site, as recommended by Mr. <br />Junge. Appropriate geotechnical reconnaissance should be <br />completed, including visual inspection, mapping and aerial <br />photographic examination. This should be followed by <br />detailed investigations through test pits and/or angering. <br />Appropriate samples should be collected for field and <br />laboratory determination of material strengths. After the <br />specific type and location of geologic hazards have been <br />defined, the geotechnical engineers and engineering <br />geologists can identify the design parameters of concern. <br />Appropriate material strengths and failure plain <br />orientations can then be utilized to complete foundational <br />analyses and stability analyses for the proposed facilities. <br />Finally, similar analyses should be performed to demonstrate <br />the long term structural and geomorphic stability of <br />proposed reclaimed configurations for these surface <br />facilities. Reports of all of these activities must be <br />reviewed and approved by the Division and incorporated into <br />the permit application by BRL. <br />Cuts and fills on landslide materials, such as those proposed to <br />accommodate the surface facilities at the Bowie No. 2 mine, can <br />be particularly problematic. The removal of lateral resistance <br />and the placement of surcharge loads can rejuvenate long-dormant <br />landslide movement. Significant surcharges will result from the <br />placement of buildings, conveyors, road surfacing, coal and rock <br />stockpiles, coal silos and sediment ponds. Topographic <br />modification and the construction of drainage conveyances can <br />introduce water into landslide materials resulting in the <br />rejuvenation of movement. Vibration from conveyors, trucks, coal <br />breakers, rock crushers, ventilation fans, and blasting can <br />impose dynamic loads on cuts and embankments, resulting in <br />landslide rejuvenation. Because of the unique peak strength <br />versus ultimate strength relationships commonly characteristic of <br />landslide-prone materials, once initiated, movement is extremely <br />difficult to stop. <br />The Bowie No. 1 mine (previously the Orchard Valley mine) <br />occupies areas with similar geologic hazard designations. <br />Similar facilities proposed, approved and constructed at the <br />Bowie No. 1 were the subject of detailed investigations and <br />comprehensive engineering designs to mitigate the potential <br />hazards. BRL should revisit the permit documentation of the <br />Bowie No. 1 mine as an example of the type of site investigation <br />and specific facility design documentation that the Division will <br />require to demonstrate the adequacy of the proposed location and <br />construction of the Bowie No. 2 mine surface facilities. If <br />other examples are preferred, similar site investigations and <br />facility engineering can be examined within the permit documents <br />