REP05360

• Permit No: C1981008
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 3/11/1996
• Doc Name: 1995 ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT
• Permit Index Doc Type: ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• 1995 ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT
Existine Disturbance
During 1995, 48.50 acres of new disturbance was associated with the mining program at New
Horizon 2 Mine. The 1995 Seeding and Disturbance Maps, Exhibit 95.1 and 95.2, show
existing disturbance areas as of December 31, 1995.
Backfilling and Grading
During 1995, 43.38 acres were graded at New Horizon 2. Backfill grading was accomplished
by backfilling the empty pit with atruck-shovel fleet and then final grading with D-9 dozers and
14G grader.
Soil and Spoil Scarification
The following soil and spoil scarification techniques were used while grading the reclamation
area. Prior to growth media soil replacement, the final graded spoil was scarified to a depth of
12 to 18 inches using ripper shanks attached behind a motor grader. This scarifying operation
effectively reduce compaction, reduce runoff, and improve infiltration, while improving rooting
depths.
Soil and Snoil Monitorin_e Data
New Horizon Mine is required by Permit C-81-008 to monitor replaced soil and final graded
spoil and submit the information to the Division. Monitoring programs include verifying soil
replacement thickness and determining final graded spoil quality. Exhibit 95.4, topsoil thickness
• and sample location map, and Exhibit 95.5, Sub-soil Sample Location Map, shows the location
of the sample sites along with the thickness of soil replacement.
Spoil uality
The spoil sampling and analysis program approved for New Horizon Mine is described in Tab
21 of Permit C-81-008. Spoil samples were collected from 15 sites in the New Horizon 2 area.
Samples were collected from the sidewalls of four foot deep pit, excavated with a rubber tired
backhoe. All spoil samples were shipped to Colorado State University Soil Testing Lab in Fort
Collins, Colorado for analysis.
The location of each spoil pit is shown on Exhibit 95.5, Backfill Spoil Sampling Location Map.
Laboratory results for the 30 spoil samples are presented in Attachment 95.A. The analytical
results indicate all spoil is suitable. No additional grading, special handling, or amendment
application was needed prior to soil replacement.
Topsoil Redistribution
11,950 cubic yards of Lift 1, D70B, topsoil was moved from an existing stockpile to reclaim
the Prime Farmland as per the Permit Regulations. The remaining volume of topsoil that was
used for redistribution was live handled from ahead of the active mining area to the awaiting
backfill area. In two separate topsoil campaigns, a total of 52,400 cubic yards in Phase V and
60,250 cubic yards in Phase VI were moved. A remaining 29,500 cubic yards of 808 soil type
was left in place to allow further de-watering and it will be moved in the first quarter of 1996.
1