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Rule 2.0.5 • 2.05 OPERATIONS AND RECLAMATION PLANS It is important to note that much of the initial mine development occurred prior to promulgation of the Rules and Regulations of the MLRB Eor Coal Mining and prior to submittal of the originalpemJit appG'cation. It is also significant that after mining began, full development plans and production potential were never realized. Consequently the size of the mining operations and life-of--mine were significantly reduced from mine plans described in the original permit application. Of the estimated 6.75 million tons of reserves at H-G, approximately 4.2 million tons were removed over the shortened mine life. The intent of the following discussion is to brie Ely summarize the actual mining that occurred and describe in some detail the reclamation operations. 2.05.3 Operations Plan In March 1978 the initial phase of mine development began which included; 1) the construction of the coal handling train load out facilities, subsequently transferred to Hayden Gulch Terminal Inc., located approximately 2 miles south of Hayden, and 2) the construction of the mine support facilities adjacent to the now reclaimed pit area. The construction phase ended in June 1978 and affected approximately 38 acres at the mine azea. Map 1 (See Exhibits, map pocket) shows pre-reclamation mine facilities and locations. The fast phase of mining, which also occurred prior to submittal of the original mine pemvt application, was the topsoil removal stage of the Block B Mine azea. This phase involved the removal of topsoil from the initial mine cut, and from portions of the permanent spoil pile area in Block B beginning in August 1978 and ending in June 1979. Approximately 119 acres were affected during this phase. In December • 1978, the thud phase of mining activities began. This phase, referred to as the Block B development phase, involved the excavation of overburden from the pit area, and its disposal into a permanent overburden dump. The final phase of Block B mining began in 1982 and continued until mining under this permit was terminated in 1986. Approximately 68 acres of land were affected during this period. Overburden was hauled directly from the advancing mine face and backftlled into the previously mined cut. The Hayden Gulch Mine operated as a typical multiple seam open pit coal mine. A fleet of 32 cubic yazd capacity scrapers, a hydraulic excavator, and SO ton capacity tracks were used to excavate both the overburden and interburden in a two stage development sequence. The irntial stage involved the open pit mining of the reserves at the northern limit of the mine and served the purpose ofpre-stopping abox-cut as in a typical dragline operation. The initial excavation was made so that the mine could begin a continuous backfilling sequence, which was the second stage of development. The backfilling sequence involved removal of waste materials in 200 foot wide cuts, and directly placing the material back into the previously mined cut. This method allowed for restoration of the mined azea in as short a period of time as possible and mirtirnized the azea of major disturbance. Using this method, the mine progressed in a southerly direction with concurrent reclamation opuations. J 2.05-1 Revised - 06/01