2016-02-08_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A (4)

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West Elk Mine 2.02 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COAL EXPLORATION During the 1992, 1993, and 1994 drilling seasons, exploration drilling occurred within and outside the permit area on adjacent tracts of unleased, federally -owned coal (Federal exploration license Nos. COC -53793 and COC -54360). Notices of Intent to explore (NOI) were submitted and approved by CDRMS prior to the commencement of these exploration programs (Jumbo Mountain: NOI CX -92-212-00, Raven Gulch: NOI CX -93-212-01, and the West Elk Mine area: NOI CX -94- 212-02). MCC submitted and received approval for NOI Nos. CX -95-212-03, CX -95-212-04 and CX -95- 212-05 for exploration activities during the 1995 and 1996 drilling seasons. In 1997, MCC received approval for NOI No. CX -97-221 (including two holes previously approved in NOI No. CX -95- 212-03) and for MR -222 for drilling authorized with Federal exploration license No. COC -58219. Another Federal coal exploration license was applied for in November 1998, and was subsequently conditionally -approved by the BLM as Federal exploration license No. COC -62540 for the Sunset Trail area exploration, provided the information satisfied requirements of the GMUG Forest Plan. MCC later requested that BLM put this Federal exploration license on indefinite hold. In 2003, MCC submitted and received approval for NOI No. X-2003-212-05 to construct alluvial and other hydrologic monitoring wells that were located on Federal coal leases held by MCC, but were not within the permit area at that time. These five wells (SOM 3E, SOM 3B, Lower Dry Fork Alluvial, 3-I1-1 E, and Upper Dry Fork Alluvial) were later incorporated into the permitted hydrology monitoring program through revisions, including MR -298 and PR -10. In 2005, MCC received approval for NOI No. X-2005-212-06 to drill six holes located on fee and other Federal coal not within the permit area (Dry Fork and Lions Mesa) at that time. Only four holes were drilled and two of these holes were left open as hydrology monitoring wells (05-11-1 and 05-12-1). Because of apparent casing deviation in the holes, subsequent monitoring attempts were unsuccessful and the holes were later (2015) plugged and abandoned. In 2006 MCC received approval for Notice of Intent to Explore No. X-2006-212-07 to drill geotechnical holes located on federal coal for the Deer Creek ventilation shaft that was constructed in 2008 and 2009 (TR -109). Exploration Plans for drilling conducted in 2009 and 2011 on existing leases within the permit area were approved by CDRMS in revisions MR -352 and MR -361. All drilling activities have and will be conducted in accordance with Section 2.02 of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining and in a manner that protects the environment and complies with all applicable Federal and State rules. Rev. 04/04- PRIG; 01 16- MR415 2.02-1