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2-13 <br />MINE DESIGN <br />The East Main entries were advanced through the fault by driving a set of three <br />rock slopes to the upthrown block of coal (See Figure 2.1-1). The rock slopes provide <br />access to the eastern portion of the reserves. The entries will eventually be extended to <br />the eastern lease edge. Note that at all property boundaries, a 50 -foot barrier pillar will <br />be left. <br />The outer boundaries of this reserve block are uncertain because there may be <br />burned areas on the outcrop and the orientation of the east fault may not be exactly as <br />shown. To allow for this uncertainty, the mine was designed so the entries and panels are <br />aligned with areas where the coal should not be affected by these conditions. When the <br />adverse conditions are encountered, the mine design will be adjusted so that maximum <br />recovery of the coal resource will be possible. <br />The first block of coal mined are the panels developed to the South from the East <br />Mains. This block of coal will provide one to two years of mining depending on annual <br />production and recovery. The second block of coal will be mined from the East Mains <br />with panels driven to the north. The third block of coal will be mined from Second South <br />Mains. Panels will be developed west of the Second South Mains. Upon final retreat <br />from the mine, south panels will be mined from the East Mains. <br />The coal reserve west of the graben will be evaluated for economic recovery <br />before final mine closure. A decision will be made at a later date whether to drive ramps <br />to the lower seam off of the Main West Entries. This block of coal may be developed <br />second depending on data collected during the advance of the Main West Entries. Any <br />decision to abandon these areas will be made in consultation with the BLM. <br />McClane Volume 1 October 17, 2001 <br />