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<br />Key mining and related activities occurring during 2009 included:
<br />? Completion of the 18-Left Ventilation Shafts, and installation of associated support facilities
<br />? Modification of the 6MN Sedimentation Pond to convert it from a containment to a discharge structure
<br />? Completion of the 6MN Mine Water Storage Reservoir Embankment and associated ditches (note that
<br />inlet/outlet structures have not yet been completed and pond filling has not been initiated)
<br />? Completion of required initial development and relocation, and set-up, and initiation of longwall mining
<br />in the Western Mining District
<br />? Initiation of preliminary construction activities for the Coal Refuse Disposal Area Expansion
<br />? Replacement of the outlet structure for Sedimentation Pond D
<br />? Completion of the 10-Right Mine Dewatering Borehole No. 2
<br />? Installation and initiation of monitoring for a new meteorological station
<br />? Completion of a water treatment pilot test
<br />During late-November and early-December 2009, the support facilities at the 18-Right Shaft and EMD Fan
<br />location were disassembled for use elsewhere on the mine-site, and the shafts were sealed and partially
<br />backfilled. Grading and permanent reclamation seeding were completed for approximately 34 acres of
<br />disturbance associated with the Fish Creek and 10-Right mine water transfer pipelines. In addition, temporary
<br />seeding was completed to stabilize approximately 69 acres of disturbance associated with the 10-Right Borehole
<br />area, 6MN Mine Water Storage Reservoir, 6MN Ventilation Intake Shaft Installation, a new ditch around a
<br />warehouse storage yard, and areas that had been treated for severe weed infestations. No other backfilling,
<br />grading, or topsoil replacement occurred during 2009. There are several areas on the attached "2009 Annual
<br />Reclamation Report Disturbed Acreage" summary that are identified as "Reclaimed". These areas have
<br />previously been regraded and stabilized with vegetation, however, TCC has not pursued bond release for these
<br />areas due to the potential for re-disturbance in conjunction with required access and site maintenance activities.
<br />During 2009, TCC completed noxious weed control spraying for both active and bond-released areas
<br />(approximately 100 acres), consistent with the approved Noxious Weed Control Plan (MR06-206). Areas
<br />sprayed for weeds are shown on the 2009 Annual Reclamation Map. A spring spraying program (May-June)
<br />focused on control of white-top (hoary cress) houndstongue, and knapweed, using 2,4D and Escort. The fall
<br />spraying program (September-October) focused on control of thistle, any residual weeds, and toadflax, which
<br />had previously been found on the site only as small, isolated occurrences, using 2,41) in combination with
<br />Mirage, Tordon, or Banvel. Spraying was also conducted during the spring, within and around substations and
<br />conveyors using GlyStar + (a generic Roundup substitute) to eliminate all vegetation, as a fire-safety and MSHA
<br />consideration. As part of our ongoing land management programs. TCC also conducted managed livestock
<br />grazing activities on the bond-released areas.
<br />Permit approvals during 2009 resulted in an increase in the calculated reclamation liability and surety coverage
<br />of $583,240, to a total of $8,083,090, at year-end, summarized as follows:
<br />TR06-57, 6MN Pond Modifications ($890))
<br />TR09-66, 18LT Shaft Installation ($149,920)
<br />TR09-67, Coal Refuse Disposal Area Expansion ($380,020))
<br />TR09-69, 6RT Thickener Underflow Pipeline and Borehole ($15,180)
<br />MR09-234, Shaft Heater Modifications ($3,520)
<br />MR09-235, 18LT Geotechnical Investigations ($30)
<br />MR09-236, 18RT/6MN Shaft Heaters and Meteorological Station ($1,690)
<br />MR09-237, Fish Creek Discharge Pipe and Pond B Culvert ($250)
<br />MR09-238, TORT Borehole and Miscellaneous Facilities ($8,010)
<br />MR09-239, Water Treatment Pilot Installation ($9,450)
<br />MR09-240, Security Building Installation ($14,280)
<br />Attached are copies of the standard form (CDRMS) Annual Reclamation Report for 2009. If you have any
<br />questions or require further information, please feel free to contact me directly at (970) 870-2712.
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