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TO?JRTIQ 1ARTER _;? <br />ENGINEERING INSPECTION <br />EAST YARD, WEST VALLEY FILL AND II WEST <br />COAL MINE WASTE DISPOSAL PILES <br />The approved Oxbow Mining, LLC (OMLI.,C) Mine permit includes a requirement for quarterly inspections of <br />coal mine waste piles for stability. The inspection is to be performed by a registered engineer or other qualified <br />professional specialist, who is experienced in the construction of earth and rockfill embankments. On December <br />22, 2009 visual inspections were performed of the East Yard, West Valley Fill and II West coal mine waste <br />disposal areas. Four successful compaction tests were performed during the quarter on November 10, 2009. <br />Copies of the tests are attached herein for the Division's information. <br />EAST YARD - The East Yard disposal area has reached its design capacity, and no new waste material has been <br />placed since June of 2001. The revegetated slope was inspected for signs of erosion or instability. No erosional <br />features were noted on the snow covered slope. The covering of the waste pile is considered complete. Nothing <br />was observed during the inspection that would indicate the pile has a potential for structural failure. <br />WEST VALLEY FILL - During the fourth quarter, no waste was hauled to the West Valley Fill area. The <br />elevation of the waste pile was surveyed at the approximate 6229.4' elevation. The active waste storage area <br />will continue to be an interim storage area for refuse rehandled to II West at a later time. <br />The revegetated outslope located between the fill slope toe to the approximate 6200' elevation was inspected for <br />signs of erosion and instability. No erosional features were noted on the snow covered slope. The third bench <br />(approximate 6200' elevation) setback remains established for the final lift of waste material and the ramp <br />constructed on the waste pile to provide access to the If West Coal Refuse Facility light use road and haul road. <br />These two roads continue to be utilized. On November 19, 2009 a number of outslope areas above the 6200' <br />road were raked with a trackhoe and additional seed added. No springs or seeps were noted. Surface drainage <br />control features are performing according to the plan. Nothing was observed during the inspection that would <br />indicate the West Valley Fill has a potential for structural failure. <br />II WEST - The II West disposal area received approximately 1,260 CY of additional coal mine waste material <br />during the Fourth quarter of 2009. The elevation of waste material is at the approximate 6099.6' elevation. The <br />material has been worked to meet compaction requirements. Seeding of the completed 2009 outslope area was <br />completed on November 19, 2009. No springs or seeps were noted. Surface drainage control features are <br />performing according to the plan. Nothing was observed during the inspection that would indicate the II West <br />Fill has a potential for structural failure. <br />Inspected by James A iger <br />M (2, ? 2 e zo 0 <br />Thomas C. Anderson Date <br />Colorado Licensed Professional Engineer No. 14726 <br />3737 rlwv 133 • P.O. Box 535 ® Somerset, Colorado 81434 USA <br /> <br />TEL (970) 929-5122 a FAX (970) 929-5177