2011-12-06_INSPECTION - C1981008

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November 21 and 22 , 2011 C -1981 -008 /New Horizon Mine MLT Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 3 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 2 Page 4 of 12  Pond 013 discharges on a continuous basis due to the inflow of water pumped from the pit. The outlet of the discharge structure is a corrugated metal pipe. Water flows from the CMP to Tuttle Draw via a ditch lined with impervious fabric. A Parshall flume with continuous flow measurement is installed in the lined d itch. The water level in Tuttle Draw was relatively high, due to the recent onset of the fall “Pond Run” (Photo 6 ). GENERAL MINE PLAN COMPLANCE:  Small, temporary piles of coal were present on the backfilled surface of both the Morgan and Western Fuels pa rcels (Photo 7 ). Coal is sometimes transported up out of the pit and mixed here before being hauled to the Nucla Generating Station. REVEGETATION – Rule 4.15 Vegetative Cover; Timing:  Four head of cattle and three horses were grazing the reclaimed Irrigated Pasture surrounding Pond 008 on the Burbridge property. TOPSOIL – Rule 4.06 Removal 4.06.2; Substitute Materials 4.06.4(4); Storage and Protection 4.06.3; Redistribution 4.06.4:  The Begay topsoil salvaged during excavation of Pond 013 in late 20 07 has been combined into a single stockpile, located east of the pond (Photo 8 ). SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF MINING – Rules 4.22 through 4.27: Prime Farmland – Rule 4.25  The first phase of soil sampling approved under TR -61 was accomplished on Nov. 22, 2011. A track -mounted excavator was used to dig five separate soil test pits on the Morgan property. Three pits (TP -01, TP -02, and TP -03) were excavated in undisturbed soils that are located to the west of the current pit. These soils will be salvaged as the mine progresses westward. Two more test pits (TP -04 and TP -05) were excavated into the section of undisturbed field that lies to the north of the Frank Morgan home. Due to blast vibration restrictions, this area will not be mined.  Each test pit was excav ated one bucket -width to a depth of 5 feet. Benches, approximately 2 feet deep, were then excavated on either side of the main pit. This configuration provided increased safety, with improved visibility of and access to the test pit s (Photo 9).  The soil scientists (consultants and NRCS personnel) deliberated throughout the process of identify ing soil horizons (Photos 10 and 11). A 10% HCl solution was used to identify the presence of Calcium carbonate. Color (moist) was determined, as was texture; soil structure and consistence were also described. Photo 12 shows the completed process for TP -05.  Mike Morgan and JoEllen Turner provided information regarding normal husbandry practices, i.e. deep ripping depth (36”) and frequency (once in 10 years), and ir rigation management.