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• Coal refuse is transported by conveyor belt to the top of the RDA after <br />processing in a wash plant to separate the high ash refuse. The refuse is dumped <br />in piles or loaded directly into trucks which dump the materials in piles across the <br />RDA working surface. The piles are then spread and compacted by a Cat D-6 <br />bulldozer with low pressure, wide tracks. The trucks also apply compactive effort <br />within their travel areas. During earlier stages of RDA construction the refuse was <br />transported and compacted by loaders with additional spreading and compacting <br />with a D-8 bulldozer. <br />Based upon our experience and discussions with mine personnel, the <br />moisture content of the refuse appears to be the primary factor which affects the <br />degree of compaction. Several factors can influence moisture content and <br />compaction including the processing plant, weather conditions, surface drainage of <br />• the top surface, and the size of the area available for spreading and compaction. <br />Addtional processing equipment was added in 1991 and 1992 to reduce the moisture <br />content of the refuse prior to transport to the RDA. We understand that surface <br />drainage on the working surface of the RDA was improved in 1993. The surface area <br />of the RDA has been increasing as the elevation increases. At the time of this <br />investigation, Mr. Ron Thompson of Basin Resources indicated the surface area was <br />sufficient to place and spread the refuse in 6 to 12 inch lifts and still keep up with the <br />waste production volume. Weather conditions have also been favorable in the past <br />year or so. The increase in surface area also allows the drying and compaction <br />process to "catch up" easier when rain or snow creates wet conditions at the pile <br />surtace. <br /> <br />8 <br />