2015-03-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981014A (2)

Home Browse Search

• o Modifications to hydrologic and subsidence monitoring plans based upon observed trends to date o Comprehensive updating and organization of permit materials o Modification of the design post-mining topography to reduce material handling requirements and enhance post-mining drainage. Except as specifically applicable, these changes do not significantly effect EFCI's current operating methods and practices. The direction and extent of future mining advance has been modified, however, current day- to-day mining, processing, loadout and related operations will continue without significant change. As discussed in Section 2.04.6, Geology Description, the Southfield Mine • is located in an area of gently sloping sedimentary deposits which are overlain by colluvial/alluvial materials resulting from erosion and mass wasting of the Pre-Cambrian Wet Mountain uplift to the west. The sedimentary deposits have been tilted by the uplift and are truncated along the southwestern margin of the permit area by the Wet Mountain fault. Eleven known coal seams exist in this area although only three (3), the Manley, Jack O'Lantern and Red Arrow seams have been identified as being economically recoverable under current market conditions. In order to provide a quality coal product which meets customer specifications and applicable government regulations for sulfur dioxide emissions, EFCI must blend production from the relatively high sulfur Red Arrow seam with low sulfur production from the Jack O'Lantern seam. Mining sequence, rate of advance and related production volumes are governed primarily by these blending considerations. EFCI currently mines the Jack O'Lantern and Red Arrow seams using room and • pillar underground mining methods. Other economically minable seams occur in this area, however most of these seams have been previously mined by underground operations which occurred during the interval from 1935 through 1955. 2.05-3