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<br />Overburden. A description of the removal, handling and storage of <br />all overburden material within the permit area is described under <br />the production methods and equipment section found at the beginning <br />of Section 2.05. The planned sequence of mining is shown in the <br />Mine Plan Map No. 15 and on the Mine Plan Cross Section No. 16 <br />showing the existing and planned mine operations. <br />The pit size which GEC Minerals, Inc. currently uses consists of <br />five (5) 100 foot benches, one on each seam of coal which is mined. <br />The pit width is from 600 to 800 feet wide. Bench heights vary <br />depending on the thickness of the interburden and normally do not <br />exceed 35 feet. The overburden swell factor which is currently <br />encountered is approximately 30%. When placed in the backfill <br />area, approximately 90% compaction is obtained. Thus yielding an <br />overall swell factor in the backfill area of approximately 17%. <br />Approximately 600 feet of length pit must be mined prior to the <br />• establishment of an active backfill area. Overburden from this <br />initial 600 feet of pit will be placed in the temporary overburden <br />stockpile for later backfilling material into the final pit. <br />Estimated production rates for overburden and coal are found in <br />Table 2.05-1, Annual Production Schedule. <br />All competent overburden currently found at the GEC Minerals, Inc. <br />mine is drilled and blasted prior to loading and haulage. The <br />general sequence for drilling and blasting of overburden proceeds <br />as follows: <br />• Establish A Drill Bench On The Overburden <br />or Interburden <br />• Drill the Blastholes <br />• Load the Blastholes With Explosives <br />• Blast the Overburden <br />• Load the Overburden with Front End Loaders <br />• or Hydraulic Shovels <br />2.05-16 <br />