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2.05.3 <br />mining techniques. Entries will be advanced to the end of the panel then the <br />pillars will be mined on the way out of the panel. <br />The production rate at the mine will be controlled by market conditions. The <br />minimum production rate will be about 0.2 million tons per year with an <br />expected maximum production of 0.5 million clean tons per year <br />Other than safety of the miners and protecting the environmental resources, <br />maximum recovery of the coal reserve is the objective of the Operator. This <br />is accomplished by sound engineering plans based on prudent mining <br />practices. <br />The East Main entries were advanced through the fault by driving a set of <br />three rock slopes to the upthrown block of coal (See Figure 2.1-1). The rock <br />slopes provide access to the eastern portion of the reserves. The entries <br />have been extended to the eastern lease edge. A 50 -foot barrier pillar will be <br />left along all property boundaries. <br />The outer boundaries of this reserve block are uncertain because there may <br />be burned areas on the outcrop and the orientation of the east fault may not <br />be exactly as shown. To allow for this uncertainty, the mine was designed so <br />the entries and panels are aligned with areas where the coal should not be <br />affected by these conditions. When the adverse conditions are encountered, <br />the mine design will be adjusted so that maximum recovery of the coal <br />resource will be possible. <br />After the mains were advanced through the fault, panels were developed to <br />the south from the East Mains. Mining was then shifted to the north and <br />from 2002 into 2006 the East Mains were advanced and panels were <br />developed to the north of the East Mains. In 2006 difficult mining conditions <br />were encountered in the 4th North Panel so it was shortened and pillared. <br />Similar conditions were encountered in the 5th North Panel mining so it was <br />abandoned. A portion of the East Mains were pillared then mining was <br />moved to the south off of the east mains. In 2007 mining continued south of <br />the East Mains where the 2nd East Mains were developed. The 2nd East <br />Mains were advanced and panels were mined to the south from 2008 to <br />2010. Mining ceased at the at the Mine in December 2010. <br />PR -02 2.05-4- 10/12 <br />