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Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan <br />New Horizon Mine <br />The presently permitted New Horizon Mine 1 encompasses 327 acres of which 145.7 acres were <br />affected by mining activities. Several areas of ungraded "pre-law" spoils existed when Peabody <br />acquired the mine in 1963. These areas were subsequently reclaimed by the Inactive Mining <br />Program in 1994. Since 1986 and inclusive of 1988, coal was removed at a combined total of <br />311,750 tons from four different areas. <br />Prior to the mine temporarily ceasing operations in 1983, coal was mined using two 5-yard draglines <br />to remove overburden. Since reactivation of mining operations in late 1986, Peabody changed to <br />using dozers and scrapers for overburden removal activities. Two coal seams were removed from <br />Mine Areas 1 and 4, whereas one coal seam was removed from Mine Areas 2 and 3. The upper coal <br />seam was previously mined by Peabody in Mine Areas 2 and 3 under interim permit 75-36 issued <br />by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. <br />After the coal seams were recovered, the pits were backfilled and graded. The regraded azea roughly <br />approximates the original surface contours. The azea has been topsoiled and revegetated. To date, <br />only a Phase 1 bond release has been requested and approved for this azea. <br />New Horizon Mine 2 <br />In February 1993, Western Fuels of Colorado commenced surface mining at the Mine 2 area. The <br />annual production is approximately 400,000 tons per year. At this time, active mining and <br />reclamation activities aze concurrent. Topsoil salvaging depths and plans are detailed in section <br />2.04.9 of the permit application. Actual topsoil recovery has been less than originally projected due <br />to discrepancies found in the Peabody topsoil depth estimates. A mitigation plan was approved by <br />the Division and implemented by the mine in 1996. <br />When possible, topsoil is live hauled to active reclamation aeeas. However, this is not always <br />possible and some topsoil will be stockpiled. Stockpiled topsoil will be protected from wind and <br />water erosion by roughening and ditching azound the pile, establishing an annual cover crop, or <br />establishing a perennial grass cover, depending on the length of time a stockpile will be in place. <br />Excavation is performed by dozers, trucks and shovel. The anticipated mining schedule for each azea <br />where mining will occur is graphically shown on Map 2.05.3-1 in the permit document. Overburden <br />is removed by a shovel and trucks after an azea has been drilled and shot. An ANFO slurry is the <br />primary agent used in the blast. All shots aze monitored with seismographs located at structures <br />neazest to the blast. Blasting schedules aze published in the local newspaper. Most blasting occurs <br />mid-day early in the week. Daily notifications are made to certain individuals that request this <br />service prior to each blast. <br />The primary coal seam to be recovered is the Lower Dakota seam; however, the Upper Dakota seam <br />will be recovered if it is thick enough and of sufficient quality. Maximum overburden depth will <br />approach 120 feet. Excavations will develop pits having a generally north-south orientation which <br />progress westward. <br />