2015-07-23_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A

• Permit No: C1980007A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 7/23/2015
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05 Operation and Reclamation Plans
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

West Elk Mine
Recovery
Table 29
Rates for Room and Pillar and Lon
a
all Mining Methods
Continuous Miner
Room and Pillar Method
Location
Coal Recovery
Main Development
30-40%
Submain Development
30-40%
Panel Mining
Partial Pillar Extraction
45-55%
Full Pillar Extraction
60-80%
Total
50%
Lon wall Method
Location
Coal Recover
Main Development
30-40%
Submain Development
30-40%
Panels
80-90%
Total
80%
Coal recovery depends on the method of coal extraction. Using room and pillar methods, MCC
recovered about 50 percent of coal reserves in the F Seam. With the longwall mining method,
Mountain Coal Company recovers (and plans to recover) about 80 percent of the thickness mined
for the coal reserves of the B and E Seams (Table 29), based upon current mine plans.
Anticipated Annual Production is shown with expected employment needs in Table 32, (2.05.3).
Mining Equipment
Mining equipment in use at West Elk Mine varies. Typical equipment used in the development
mining operations is shown on Table 30. Typical equipment used in the longwall mining
operations is shown on Table 31.
Use and Conservation of the Coal Resource
The mine plan has been laid out to recover as much coal as practical, considering prudent mining
practices and economic viability of the operation. Longwall technology is utilized at West Elk
Mine to achieve the maximum economic recovery of the coal reserves, enhance personnel safety,
and protect surface resources. Although this method attains the highest overall reserve recovery,
not all coal will be recovered.
Although high recovery rates will be achieved for the E and B Seams, some coal will remain
unmined. Because of the specific and regular pattern needed for longwall panel development,
small areas of marginally thick E and B Seam coal will not be mined. These areas occur where
the planned longwall panel layout cannot be configured to fit the reserve area. Where E and B
Seam mining will occur, some top coal, from one to two feet in thickness, will be left unmined in
the roof to improve roof conditions and hence, personnel safety and product quality. Because the
full seam thickness commonly exceeds the maximum extraction height of the mining equipment,
some floor coal will also be left unmined.
Table 30
Typical Equipment Used for Lo!!gwall Development Mniny at West Elk Mine
Equipment
Princi al Use
Continuous Miner
Cutting Coal
205-5 Rev 11/04- PRI 1, 03/06- PR 10