2008-01-14_REPORT - C1996083 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOWIE RESOURCES, LLC Bowie No. 2 Mine Coal Mine Waste Bank Nos. 1, 2 & 4 Inspections -4"' Quarter 2007 On three occasions, I performed visual inspections of the Bowie No. 2 Mine coal mine waste banks in accordance with Rule 4.10.2. The final inspection occurred on December 18, 2007. This inspection includes Gob Pile Nos. 1, 2 and 4. I, J. E. Stover, P.E., have a wide variety of experience in the design and construction of earth fill embankments. Nothing was observed during the inspections that would indicate the piles have a potential for failure. The gob disposal areas were damp to wet in the active areas and lightly snow covered in the inactive areas. All organic material and topsoil has been removed ahead of the waste bank foundings. The upper diversion ditches were inspected with no problems noted. No work was performed on the rock drains during the quarter. A rock drain is not required at gob pile no. 4. A significant amount of the gob pile no. 2 was covered with three feet of cover and one foot of topsoil during the 4th quarter 2006. Most of the first and second benches were covered. Cover material from gob pile no. 4 is being stockpiled on the west side of pile no. 2. Most of the coal mine waste was generated from the preparation plant. Approximately 73,000 tons of gob were hauled to the gob piles. Coal mine waste is to be placed in the pile in approximately horizontal lifts no more than 24-inches thick. The coal mine waste is spread and compactive effort is provided by a self propelled sheepsfoot compactor. Compaction tests were performed during the quarter. A total of nineteen compaction tests were taken on the piles on eight separate occasions. One of the tests failed twice. The areas where the test failed was reworked. The reworked area was retested twice and passed the second time. A test passes if the test attains at least 90%of the maximum dry density attained in a laboratory compaction test in accordance with ASTM D698. Relative compaction test results are enclosed. A failure of the gob pile no. 1 would probably not be a hazard to human life. The pile is located above a large flat bench. The bench is approximately 80 to 150-feet wide directly below the pile. Additionally, the gob pile sediment pond is located belowthe pile. If the coal mine waste bank failed, the material would very likely be contained on the bench below the pile and or within the gob pile sediment pond. A failure of the gob piles no. 2 and 4 vwuld probably not be a hazard to human life. A residential dwelling is located over 300-feet below pile no. 2. The piles are located above Bowie Road. A failure of the piles might damage Bowie Road but would not likely impact the residential dwelling. I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, that the fill and other'. ~~ts~~~~~h~e,~coal mine waste banks have been constructed as permitted in the design~a~~e~'b'~~i'>` MS. m~'~~o ~~c'S J TOG°~~® ~~~~.® ~ ° t l S? ~'f o° °vs~ James E. Stov~E.ro~~® 000 0oo~~ocDate P.E. No. 19230 ®00~oo®eoQaa ~'~poo