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1999 ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT RAG EMPIRE CORPORATION EAGLE MINE COMPLEX PER1111T NO. C-81-0a4 l .INTRODUCTION This report addresses the surface disturbance associated with the mining operations of RAG Empire Corporation . This is an underground coal operation currently in a state of temporary cessation. Prior to entering into the temporary cessation status RAG Empire utilized a longvvall system in the "E" seam to mine federal, slate and private coal in Moffat County, Colorado. This longvvall system was initially installed in 1985 wiule RAG Empire w:as in the process of extracting the overlying "F' seam. Historically, underground mining has been conducted near Ilse current operations since the 1930's, primarily along outcrops and inseams above those mined and Io be mined by RAG Empire. Additionally, the adjacent Trapper surface mine has disturbance and reclamation over and adjacent to the RAG Empire mines. One such reclaimed area is the Utalt Tract shown on the Map AR-1. Tltis parcel originally consisted of 199 acres but in 1987 a portion of the parcel was transferred back to Trapper and RAG Empire retains reclamation liability on the remaining 158 acres. Bond release sampling has been conducted previously on this area and uas conducted in 1996. Additional sampling will be required to complete the Phase Ill bond release process. RAG Empire has responsibility for the Williams Fork Strip Pit. The majority of the pit was reclaimed in 1981, with the remainder reclaimed in 1987. The Number 9 Mine was started in 1976, and produced coal until 1981 after which time the mine was se:tied due to market and mining conditions. The Number 9 Mine portal area cut is currently utilized as a refuse disposal area in accordance uilh this permit. Surface facilities and current disturbances associated with the operation include the stockpile facilities, portals, roads, breaker building, offices, conveyance system. warehouse/shop, silo, railroad track, ponds, ditches, wastewater treatment system, refuse disposal areas, and satellite storage buildings. There are several areas of pre-law mining t~~thin the RAG Empire Corporation perntit boundary for which it is not responsible. One of these areas encontpasscs Ilte Hart mine fire work which has been and will continue to be conducted by the Division along the outcrop where the coal is smoldering. Given that the current disturbances are limited to those areas necessary for the operation o! the mine, RAG Empire does not anticipate any large scale reclamation to be undertaken in the near future. The Number 9 Mine refuse area still contains storage volume due to the fact that the operation has been in temporary cessation and no material has been hauled to the area during the present year. At such lime as reclamation commences RAG Empire will follow the approved reclamation plan presented in the permit. 2. 1999 Reclaukalian No additional disturbance and no additional reclamation work. The backfilling of the No. 5 Mine portal is not complete, Therefore the reclamation (able has not been modified to reflect this work. The Amoco Pipeline corridor was seeded in 1996 and RAG Empire will continue to visually monitor the vegetation establishment in this area. Table AR-1 was updated in the 1996 ARR to include dales of seeding for the Williams Fork Strip Pit, Ulalt Tract and Amoco Pipeline corridor. Map AR-1, Annual Reclamation Slalus Map as of 1/1/95, with a revision date of 1/97, in incorporated into this report by reference. Tltis is being done to reflect the fact that no additional reclamation activities occurred during 1999 which would have to be shown on this map. lle:i:\empire\ar\ 1999ar.doc