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• to the unique nature of the reclamation. Thereafter, the development of Phase I will <br />proceed, resulting in development of the maximum open pit to the south as described <br />below. <br />Phase I will cover Lifts 1 and 2, and remove coal from segments A-1, C-1, D-1, E-1, a <br />small portion of F-1, and the North Pit, coal segments I-I and I-2. Phase I, has been <br />designated as the "time required to develop the steady state pit" and placing initially <br />excavated overburden to the south and west of the pit. Phase I will last approximately <br />26 months from the commencement date of mining, and will disturb approximately 26 <br />acres of land. Phase I will be completed, as overburden from the future lifts are placed <br />in segments C-1, D-1, and E-1 for the movement of a steady-state pit. <br />Based on initial excavations, the swell of the overburden has been calculated to be close <br />to 30%. Detailed plans for handling and calculations for the quantities of overburden <br />to be excavated are provided below. The Disturbance Map 5-2 and Map 5-10, shows <br />the area where the box cut spoil has been placed. Cross sections are found on Geologic <br />A through X Cross Sections (Appendix 4-2a). These cross sections have been reduced <br />to accommodate the reduction in pit size. Phase II of the mining will cover the <br />remainder of the disturbed area (pit) and will continue for approximately 34 months. <br />Various stages of overburden removal and coal extraction will be in process <br />• wncurrently, and probably in more than one lift, and in two or more coal segments, at <br />any given time. Therefore, OEI will describe the entire area to be disturbed as the pit <br />in which there will be the normal perimeter highwall and more than one internal <br />highwall, resulting from the creation of several benches on which machinery will be <br />operating simultaneously. Consequently, the mining operation can be thought of as the <br />normal open pit surface mining operation. A close comparison with the mine plan map <br />is useful in understanding the moving pit concept. Also, with the substantial reduction <br />in highwall, the operation will have a much smaller steady-state pit and will more <br />closely coincide with "dip-slope" mining. <br />The excavation and subsequent steady-state pit will be in the north-northeast direction. <br />Mining will alternate between the seams creating flat work azeas (benches) adequate for <br />safe and efficient operations. Section 2.05.3 previously described the surface area to <br />be affected within the permit area. A detailed listing of the segments and acreages to <br />be disturbed has been shown on Table 5-1. The average slopes of pit cross sections <br />(See Map 5-2) indicate the average surface slope is 14.4° and the mine does not <br />qualify as a steep slope mine. Backfilling and regrading will result in the same <br />approximate slopes. <br />The sequence of mining and reclamation will be: 1) the removal of vegetal material; <br />2) removal and protection of soil; 3) removal of overburden; 4) the extraction of <br />coal and the refilling of the pit, 5) replacement of soil, and 6) revegetation. Segments <br /> <br />Technical Revision 08 (v 1.3) 5-5 Revised 911997 <br />