_INSPECTION - C1981019 ‎(34)‎

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 3/18/2009
• Email Name: JRS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Colowyo C-1981-019
18 March 2009
Pg 6/7
Backfilling and Grading (cont.): - The area in the East Pit that was repaired last fall (as
a result of the large rainfall in August 2008) appear to remain stable. The two large
gullies that were filled did not show any signs of reforming. The contour ditches that
were put in place are helping to slow and direct the water that is flowing over the
area from the snowmelt. There is some water in the sump that is in this area. There
was a large amount of water flowing in the Prospect Ditch. The ditch appeared to
be stable and functioning as designed.
General Mine Plan Compliance: - The 101 dragline is on the East Pit highwall where it
was waiting to performing reclamation (although it was not running at the time of the
inspection it has performed reclamation work since the last inspection and it has
moved farther east).
- The 102 dragline was working on removing overburden for the F-Seam in the West
Pit.
- The 103 dragline was also was working on removing overburden for the F-Seam in
the West Pit.
- The 114 shovel operation was working on removing 132-Seam overburden in the
South Taylor box-cut. The operator was hauling the B2 overburden to the C-C'
underdrain of the East Taylor Fill.
- The 115 excavator was idle at the time of the inspection.
- There was a loader in the west side of the South Taylor box-cut area loading
overburden and coaly material into trucks.
- The mining at the Colowyo Mine appears to be progressing as discussed and
approved in the PAP.
Fish and Wildlife: There was a small herd of deer on the topsoil pile across from the
facilities area on 18 March 2009. This herd was replaced by a small herd of elk
(approximately 15) on 19 March 2009. There was also a small herd of elk
(approximately 50) on the East Pit reclaim both days. There was also a small herd of
deer that we startled in the draw by culvert H on 19 March 2009.
Revegetation/Reclamation Success: - Most of the snow has melted in the reclaimed
portions of the East Pit. The only areas where there was snow were the most north-
facing slopes and depressions, such as post-mining channels. The areas were mostly
dry and the grasses were starting to get green already. There was water flowing in
the Prospect Ditch and in the contour ditches that were put in last fall (2008).
- The older areas of the East Pit reclamation remain well vegetated and stable.
- The vegetation in the area that was seeded in 2007 is still a bit sparse but should
benefit from this second growing season. The rilling that was caused by last year's
snowmelt runoff is still visible in this area. These rills grew a bit following last years large
storm event (in August 2008) but do not appear to have gotten any larger as a result
of the runoff from the snowmelt. The installation of the contour ditches last fall has
probably helped because it is slowing and redirecting the water.