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mine facilities were constructed in 1981. Since the majority of reclamation will <br /> occur upon completion of mining, topsoil stockpiles have been designed and <br /> maintained so as to minimize wind and water erosion and to preserve the seedbed <br /> material. Stockpiles in place for five years or more have been or will be seeded <br /> with the permanent seed mix. <br /> Subsoil not fully suitable for seedbed material is also excavated, as necessary, for <br /> construction purposes. Topsoil consisting of all of the A horizon and part of the B <br /> horizon of each soil :series present is stripped before construction begins. <br /> The operator will distribute 12 to 18 inches of topsoil over the entire: disturbed area. <br /> However, the Lower Refuse Disposal Area will be replaced with 18 to 24 inches of <br /> topsoil and subsoil. A variance to the four feet of nontoxic cover has been granted <br /> to the West Elk Mine. This variance is discussed further in Section VIII, Coal Mine <br /> Waste Banks in this ;Findings Document. After the soil has been replaced, the <br /> surface is loosed and roughened by disking, harrowing, or dragging, which will <br /> increase infiltration, thereby reducing surface runoff. Various conditioners and <br /> neutralizers may be used to modify seedbed conditions, or enhance vegetative cover. <br /> V. Sealing of Drilled Holes and Underground Openings <br /> 1. The Division will require that each hole, well or other underground opening be <br /> capped, sealed, backftlled, or otherwise properly managed (4.07.3). <br /> VI. Use of Explosives <br /> 1. Mining techniques used at the West Elk Mine do not require blasting as part of <br /> the regular extraction cycle. Occasionally, explosives are used for underground <br /> construction purposes. These uses only require small quantities of explosives. <br /> MCC's Explosives Handling and Blasting Procedures is presented in Exhibit 41 <br /> of the permit application. Map 53 shows the location of the powder magazine. <br /> Limited application of explosives may be necessary for additional future surface <br /> construction. Pursuant to Rule 4.08.1(2), blasts that use more than five pounds <br /> of explosives or a blasting agent will be conducted according to the blasting <br /> schedule required by 4.08.3. As appropriate, a pre-blasting survey will be <br /> performed (4.08.2). <br /> VII. Disposal of Excess Spoil <br /> 1. The West Elk Mine will not require a disposal area for excess spoil (4.09). <br /> VIII. Coal Mine Waste Banks <br /> The West Elk Mine is currently approved to have two refuse disposal areas - the <br /> Upper Refuse Disposal Area and the Lower Refuse Disposal Area. The upper pile <br /> has not been constructed and construction•is not planned for this permit term. MCC <br /> has postponed its construction indefinitely, and must address several stipulations <br /> 40 <br />