_INSPECTION - C1981019 ‎(23)‎

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: INSPECTION
• Doc Name: Inspection Report
• Inspection Date: 10/14/2009
• Email Name: JRS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Colowyo C-1981-019
14 Oct 2009
Pg 5/6
Topsoil (cont.): The topsoil stockpiles in the East Pit and West Pit that were used for this
year's reclamation have been graded and seeded. These piles will be used for
topsoil in the next few years but the resource must be protected so Colowyo did a bit
of reworking or the piles and seeded them to help control erosion.
- The topsoil that was replaced in both the East Pit and West Pit 2009 reclamation
blocks was roughened some prior (or during) the seeding process. Although the
Division would like to see more surface roughening than this, the roughening that was
done is more than has been done in the past several years. The rougher surface will
help control runoff and subsequent erosion during the spring snowmelt.
- As stated above, Colowyo did perform some surface roughening in both the East
and West Pit reclamation areas. It also appeared that Colowyo ripped or otherwise
alleviated the compaction of the topsoil in the West Pit reclamation. This topsoil was
(at least in part) replaced using scrapers and was highly compacted in some areas.
General Mine Plan Compliance: - The 101 dragline was in the West Pit uncovering X-
Seam coal (although it was not operating at the time of the inspection). It is old and
difficult to maintain so it is not clear whether it will return to the East Pit to perform
further reclamation.
- The 102 dragline was performing pull back work in the West Pit.
- The 103 dragline was working in the West Pit removing E-Seam overburden.
- The 114 shovel operation was in the South Taylor Pit box-cut removing B-Seam
overburden.
- The 115 excavator was working in the South Taylor Pit box cut.
Excess Spoil: Colowyo was actively dumping spoil material in the East Taylor Fill at the
time of the inspection. The current footprint of the fill has reached its permanent,
approved final elevation and Colowyo was now dumping above that elevation, as
the top of the fill will be used to temporarily stockpile overburden for final
reclamation of the South Taylor Pit. The north/south expansion of the fill has
temporarily stopped as it has reached the rock crusher bench. Once the rock
crusher is relocated the pile can continue to the north to its final size. The Division has
received Technical Revision 81, which proposed to change the volume and
configuration of the East Taylor Fill. As of 16 September 2009 this revision is
incomplete for the purposes of filing.
- Colowyo has completed the removal of the topsoil in the lower portion of the A-A'
underdrain for the West Taylor Fill. The portion of the drain that still needs fabric over
the rock can now be completed. Besides this lower portion that needs fabric, the
A-A' underdrain is complete. It does not appear that any additional overburden has
been dumped in the confluence of the A-A' and B-B' underdrains. The West Taylor
Fill will toe-out approximately 100 feet above the West Taylor Pond. The Division has
received Technical Revision 81, which proposed to change the volume and
configuration of the West Taylor Fill. As of 16 September 2009 this revision is
incomplete for the purposes of filing.