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r? <br />August 10, 2009 <br />Peabody Energy <br />P.O. Box 670 <br />Hayden, CO 81639 <br />Attn: Mr. Jay James <br />Job Number: 07-7600 <br />Subject: Slope Stability Evaluation, Proposed Yoast <br />Mine - Runoff Control Structures, Seneca Yoast <br />Mine, Routt County, Colorado. <br />Gentlemen: <br />As requested, NWCC, Inc. has completed a Slope Stability Evaluation for the proposed Yoast Mine - Runoff Control <br />Structures to be constructed within the Seneca Yoast Mine in Routt County, Colorado. Our firm previously completed <br />a Slope Stability Evaluation for Pond 12A at the Yoast Mine, which was prepared under this job number and dated <br />August 20, 2007. <br />The stability of proposed runoff structure was assessed by computing theoretical factors of safety (against slope failure) <br />for the proposed slope configuration. A factor of safety in this case is calculated by summing the forces resisting slope <br />movement (i.e. soil strength generated along a theoretical failure plane) and dividing that sum by the driving forces of <br />the slope (i.e. the weight or mass of the soil and groundwater). We have chosen a minimum factor of safety of 4.4 for <br />this project. <br />By inputting slope geometry and soil strength values into the slope stability program GEO-SLOPE, strength and <br />geometry values can be easily varied to help assess the factors of safety for the proposed slopes under varying <br />conditions. This program is a comprehensive slope stability program for microcomputers and uses a variety of <br />methods for factor of safety calculations. <br />The slope configurations used in our analyses were obtained from the Typical Runoff Control Structure Drawing <br />provided to us by the client on August 4, 2009. Copies of the plan and cross section provided by the client are shown in <br />Appendix A. <br />A discussion and summary of the slope stability evaluations for the proposed structure are discussed below. <br />Proposed Runoff Control Structures: A slope stability analysis was completed for the proposed runoff control <br />structures to be constructed across the mine site, in hopes to reduce erosion and flow rate of the existing drainage <br />. channels in the area. It appears that the proposed runoff control structures will be constructed to a maximum height of 8 <br />(970) 879-7888 - Fax (970) 879-7891 <br />2580 Copper Ridge Drive - Steamboat Springs, CO 80487