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West Elk Mine <br />detection and suppression equipment. Underground belt conveyor systems are equipped with <br />fire warning alarm systems as required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. <br />Fire prevention is also considered for mining equipment. All mining equipment is equipped with <br />fire suppression systems. In addition, fire-resistant hydraulic oil is used in machinery whenever <br />practical. <br />A variety of fire -fighting equipment is available at West Elk Mine. In addition, fire -fighting <br />equipment is examined regularly to assure that it is fully -operative. ABC -type fire extinguishers <br />of various sizes are available throughout the mine facilities. The prime source of underground <br />fire -fighting capability is the water from pipelines within the mine. Water cars and foam <br />machines are also available for emergency situations. <br />Personnel at the mine have had training in fire -fighting procedures and some have specific <br />assignments related to fire protection. The fire -fighting training program in use at West Elk <br />Mine includes training for miners in locating, using, and maintaining fire -fighting equipment and <br />escape -ways. Security personnel are assigned fire watch for surface facilities as part of their <br />responsibility. In addition, a clean-up program has been designed to eliminate any accumulation <br />of combustible materials. West Elk Mine's program is approved by the District Office of the <br />Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). <br />Ventilation <br />Ventilation in the working sections where coal is being cut, and at the last open crosscut, has <br />been established to assure compliance with current Federal and State regulations. Abundant <br />fresh air is provided to the working face to dilute mine gases and diesel emissions to acceptable <br />levels. Stoppings are constructed of non-combustible material and built as airtight as possible to <br />assure that the maximum amount of clean air reaches the working face. Mine Ventilation <br />Boreholes ("MVB", a.k.a. "MDW") are also drilled from the surface to about 25 feet above the <br />top of the coal seam to be longwall mined. After the longwall face undermines the coal below <br />the iv1V13, a methane -driven mobile pump is started to supplement the ventilation system by <br />exhausting the methane from the caved gob area out of the mine rather than allowing it to enter <br />the main mine ventilation courses. <br />For the protection of the employees, the air courses are examined in accordance with State and <br />Federal standards or more often, if necessary, to protect the quality and quantity of air <br />underground. Methane above the permissible limits is either diluted and rendered harmless in <br />active areas of the mine through mine ventilation or drained -off prior to and during active mining <br />through the MVB systems. <br />Electrical Power <br />All electrical equipment at the mine meets applicable Federal regulations. In addition, regular, <br />documented inspections of the equipment are. conducted. Equipment is adequately grounded to <br />prevent electrical shock hazards. Fences, metal buildings, and metal structures are also properly <br />grounded to prevent electrical shock hazards. Communication wires and exposed power <br />2.05-10 Rev. 11104 -PRI]; 03/06- PR10; 07/15- MR413 <br />