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MOUNTAIN COAL <br />-A Subsidiary of Arch Western Resources, LLC <br />April 07, 2009 <br />,ell <br />(!. <br />?A` N\ <br />Mr. Tom Kaldenbach O W. <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />Office of Mined Land Reclamation <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />West Elk Mine <br />P.O. Box 591 <br />5174 Highway 133 <br />Somerset, CO 81434 <br />(970) 929-5015 <br />Fax (970) 929-5595 _ <br />Re: Mountain Coal Company, LLC, West Elk Mine; Permit No. C-80-007; Permit Compliance (per MR- <br />350), Geotechnical Data Submittal <br />Dear Mr. Kaldenbach: . <br />In compliance with Mountain Coal Company, LLC's (MCC) permit commitment per MR-350, attached are the <br />results of several geotechnical analyses, including proctor density, optimum moisture content, dry density, <br />moisture content, relative compaction, and soil type, completed since MCC began receiving washed coal refuse <br />back and placing it in our Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area. MCC has compared these analyses data to the <br />range of like data included in Appendix G of Exhibit 70 that contains the original RPE geotechnical data and <br />analysis. These data were found to be comparable and MCC believes that the RPE has been built and remains <br />in a stable configuration as designed and approved. <br />In addition, to gain a better understanding of the original design data and analyses, MCC has contacted the <br />professional engineers that completed the original geotechnical analyses for the RPE, as well as the Lower <br />Refuse Pile, and had worked extensively with the late Dr. Jim Pendleton of the Division. To further verify the <br />RPE stability, MCC has initiated supplemental sampling and lab analyses of the already compacted washed coal <br />refuse in the RPE, as well as more recent samples yet to be placed in the pile. Based on these analyses as well <br />as the continued ongoing analyses as above, MCC believes that the design and geotechnical stability of the RPE <br />will be further affirmed. <br />Please contact me at (970)929-2238 or by e-mail should you have questions. <br />Sincerely, <br />1, . z1?9 Qp? <br />?i <br />Kathleen G. Welt, <br />Environmental Engineer <br />cc: Dan Hernandez - CDRMS <br />Doug Nolte - MCC