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s <br />XX. Operations on Steep Slopes <br />Orchard Valley Mine has obtained a variance from the requirement for <br />restoration of affected lands to their approximate original contour in <br />accordance with Rules 2.06.5 and 4.27. The variance was granted under <br />the 1981 permit and is hereby reissued. The variance applies to the <br />mine benches only and was granted because it was demonstrated that <br />backfilling the benches to approximate original contour on such a <br />steep slope would not achieve the required slope stability safety <br />factor of 1.3 (see Volumes 6 and 6A, Stability Analysis, for a <br />complete discussion). <br />The original Orchard Valley Mine permit application specified that, <br />because the mine was an underground mine, Rule 4.27 regarding steep <br />slope mining was not applicable. This is not the case, as surface <br />facilities of an underground mine are considered to be surface coal <br />mining operations, therefore rendering Orchard Valley Mine subject to <br />Rule 4.27. A requirement for Orchard Valley Mine's compliance with <br />Rule 4.27 fs addressed in Stipulation No. 43 to this permit renewal <br />decision. <br />XXI. In Situ Processing <br />This section is not applicable to the Orchard Valley Mine. <br />SSS/bjw <br />7954E <br />-47- <br />