Laserfiche WebLink
2. Backfilling - <br />A. Depth of backfilling - The two pits that were completely backfilled were shallow <br />pits with maximum depths of about eight feet or less. The sand in these azeas was a <br />shallow deposit. Backfilling occurred to a depth of at least three or four feet. The <br />resulting final elevation was thus established at just a few feet lower than the original <br />elevation. Blending into adjacent unrnined land was cazefully done to avoid leaving <br />any topographic seams, except where the highwall was located. The backfilled <br />highwall is essentially a subtle dip in the general slope. The actual highwall backfill is <br />actually the deepest fill and is probably about eight feet deep so it can reach the <br />elevation of the adjacent unrnined land for blending purposes. No compaction other <br />than that caused by the equipment itself was done. Excessive compaction is known to <br />greatly limit vegetation growth. In general, further backfilling will be limited in the <br />future until the new lease azea can be entered. It is possible some areas where <br />normally backfilling would be considered might need to be entered again if the local <br />government approval takes very long. <br />B, Material used in backfilling - Backfilling was done utilizing overburden first to <br />establish a subsoil layer. This was then topped with a soil layer composed of the same <br />soil that originally occurred on the areas mined. The soil and overburden had been <br />stockpiled azound the perimeter of the pits and therefore it was an easy process to <br />backfill the pits and reestablish an appropriate growth medium. <br />C. Maximum, minimum, and average slopes - Within the two new backfilled areas, <br />the upper end of the pit is the location where the steepest slopes aze found. Here the <br />slopes aze 5:1 or less steep. These slopes aze relatively short and face north, have <br />good soil, and should revegetate fairly easily. Other slopes are on the order of 10:1 to <br />nearly level. <br />D. Deviation from original elevation for new backfilled [and - No actual <br />measurements are available because the pits that were backfilled were already <br />established and it is not known what the original elevation was. However, considering <br />the configuration of adjacent unmined land and the elevation of backfilled highwalls <br />as well as projection across the mined area, it is estimated that the deviation is five <br />feet at the most and generally less than three feet. This is well within the standazds <br />required. <br />Processing facilities - The processing facility did not change in the last year. Fines <br />continued to be cleaned from the settling ponds and hauled back to the primary pit on the top <br />of the hill due south of the plant. They are used as backfill. <br />4. Access corridors - No new access routes were established in the last yeaz. Access to newer <br />pits was established directly from the main road or from adjacent mining azeas. Generally, <br />access routes to the pits eventually become mined azeas. Any access routes that do not <br />become mining areas have been established and used for a number of yeazs and if the local <br />government approval is provided will continue to be used for several more yeazs. <br />Status report for 2006 (July 15, 2006) Page 7 of 13 <br />