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State Reg. Final pit backfilling is performed utilizing two different approaches, dependent upon the amount of highwall to be reduced. Typically the highwall is either ripped with a dozer and material pushed into the final pit, or is drilled and blasted into the final pit. Dozer ripping may also be performed after the highwall is blasted. Ripping is utilized when the amount of highwall to be reduced is not large and when landform shaping is generally required. The ripping method and associated spoil grading activities within the mining area can easily backfill the final pit to approximate original contour. Prior to any ripping activities, the area is inspected by responsible Peabody personnel to ensure all available topsoil has been removed and that remaining inplace topsoil will not be contaminated. The second method, drilling and blasting, is utilized when ripping is uneconomical due to the large amount of material to be moved into the pit. Drilling and blasting needs are based upon the amount of material required and resulting height of highwall to be reduced. As occurs in the normal production blasting operations, a blasting plan is determined before equipment perform any work. Once this determination is made, the minimum width of topsoil to be removed will be defined in the field. Typically, an additional 20 feet of width may be removed, if conditions warrant, to facilitate grading equipment capabilities. Prior to any blasting operations, the area is inspected to ensure all available topsoil has been removed. When the material is blasted, it is performed in a manner that moves the material into the final pit, not in all directions radial to the blasting area. The blasting should not cast overburden materials onto areas from which topsoil has not been removed. This is consistent with commitments provided throughout the permit renewal application. 12-55 Revised 8/27/86