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Production Methods and Eauinment <br />Through careful evaluation of geologic, production, and economic information company engineers have concluded <br />that the only economic and efficient mining method is the employment of a longwall system. Beginning in May 1985, <br />a longwall system was implemented in the No. 5 Mine. The longwall system is the primary mining method employed <br />at both the No. 5 and No. 6 mines as shown on the No. 5 Mine Plan Map (Map 22) and the No. 6 Mine Plan Map <br />(Map 23). In 1995, active mining operations ceased, and the Mine was put on "Temporary Cessation" status. <br />Ongoing care, maintenance, and monitoring of Mine lands and facilities has continued through the present. <br />The Mine has remained in Temporary Cessation, however, MCM returned to a full hydrologic monitoring schedule in <br />2009, in anticipation of application for bond release on some areas, and with limited facilities demolition and <br />reclamation of the associated disturbance areas, the CDRMS considered the mine to be in active reclamation <br />beginning in 2010. In 2013, MCM requested and received CDRMS approval to return the Mine to Temporary <br />Cessation status. Given the potential that Mine rehabilitation and active mining may be initiated at some point in the <br />future under more favorable market conditions and with continuing advancements in mining technology, MCM has <br />continued to retain the associated surface and mineral rights, has retained and will continue to maintain those facilities <br />necessary to support future operations, and will maintain the Permit as an active, working document (note that <br />regardless of operating status, the Permit will need to be maintained for at least ten years following permanent seeding <br />of any reclaimed areas). <br />Given that the Williams Fork Mines have been inactive for a period of several years, MCM periodically evaluates all <br />existing facilities and structures, and has removed and reclaimed any structures and areas which are not critical to <br />support potential future operations. Those structures and facilities which remain are generally structurally sound, and <br />would have value relative to either potential future mining operations or alternative postmining land uses, if all or <br />portions of the property were converted to another use at some future time. <br />The No. 5 mine produced coal from the "F" seam, while the No. 6 mine can produce coal from the "E" and "H" seam. <br />Additional geologic information has been provided on these coal seams as well as the associated burden materials in. <br />TR14-36 2.05-2.2 Revised 06/23/14 <br />