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<br />A/11~I~G, LLC <br />THIItD QUARTER 2004 <br />ENGINEERING INSPECTION <br />EAST YARD AND WEST VALLEY FII.L <br />COAL MINE WASTE DISPOSAL PII.ES <br />The approved Oxbow Mining, LLC (OMLLC) Mine permit includes a requirement for quarterly inspections <br />of coal mine waste piles for stability. The inspection is to be performed by a registered engineer or other <br />qualified professional specialist, who is experienced in the construction of earth and rockfill embankments. <br />On September 27, 2004 visual inspections were performed of the East Yard and West Valley Fill coal mine <br />waste disposal areas. The East Yard disposal area has reached its design capacity, and no new waste <br />material has been placed since June of 2001. The East Yard pile outslope was seeded with the approved <br />OMLLC seed mix in the Fall of 2002. Additional supplemental hydromulch and seed was applied on <br />October 21, 2003. The seeded slope was inspected for signs of erosion or instability and initial vegetation <br />establishment. No erosional features were noted requiring repairs to seeded areas. Nothing was observed <br />during the inspection that would indicate the pile has a potential for structural failure. Safety berms <br />continue to be required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration on the downhill edge of the access <br />ramp. <br />The West Valley Fill has received some additional waste material during the third quarter of 2004. <br />Compaction tests are required, as necessary, based upon the amount of material added to the waste area. <br />Compaction tests are planned as material is added to the waste area. <br />The outslope located between the second bench (approximate 6150 elevation) and the present approximate <br />6200 elevation of waste material and seeded with the approved seedmix on October 21, 2003 was inspected <br />for signs of erosion and initial establishment of seeded species. No erosional features were noted requiring <br />repairs to any seeded areas. <br />The third bench (approximate 6200 elevation) setback has been initiated in preparation for the Snal lift of <br />waste material. The ramp constructed on the west limit of the waste pile to provide access to the II West <br />Coal Refuse Facility light use road and haul road construction continues to be utilized and developed. <br />No springs or seeps were noted. Surface drainage control features are performing according to the plan. <br />Nothing was observed during the inspection that would indicate the West Valley Fill has a potential for <br />structwal failure. <br />f <br />ti~ ~~ <br />Inspected by James A. Ciger <br />Thomas C. Anderson Date` ' <br />Colorado Registered Professional Engineer No. 14726 <br />3737 Hwy 133 P.O. Bax 535 Somerset, Colorado 81434 USA <br />TEL (970) 929-5122 FAX (970) 929-5177 <br />