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topsoil removal operation begins where the previous year's operation left off and proceeds <br /> through the area where overburden drilling and blasting is projected to be during the following <br /> June-July (refer to Maps M10 series). Because these operations require this type of scheduling, a <br /> fairly large area where topsoil has already been salvaged is maintained in front of each pit. For <br /> the most part, development drilling is confined to this area and the concentration of the drilling is <br /> at the expected pit ends. (This is where the croplines and economic stripping limits occur). <br /> Some development drilling occurs outside of the topsoiled area but is still contained within the <br /> permit area. Development drilling varies each year, but is usually no more than twenty sites. Each <br /> site,which is approximately .25 to .33 acres in size, may include two development drill holes. One <br /> is a plug-drilled hole and, if required the second is a cored hole. Sealing, casing,reclamation and <br /> appropriate management of development drill holes are discussed in Section 3.3.2. <br /> In any given year, under the most extreme conditions, the most coal removed by development <br /> drilling is less than 15 tons. This estimate, assumes a maximum of 400 holes per year, an average <br /> of 10 feet of coal per hole, and a maximum hole size of 5-5/8" diameter. <br /> Blowout control at the Trapper Mine is not necessary and will not be used. The Trapper Mine mine <br /> plan area is located on the south flank of the Big Bottom Syncline. This type of geological location <br /> is not typical of oil or gas producing areas. To date, drill data do not show any indications of gas <br /> or oil deposits within the mine plan area, and there are no indications of geothermal resources. <br /> This section shall satisfy the regulatory authority's requirements that written notice of intention to <br /> explore for coal be submitted prior to exploration. The type of drilling to be conducted will be <br /> within the mine permit area (refer to Map M4) and is referred to as development drilling rather <br /> than exploration drilling. (See Section 3.6.3.9 for additional details.) <br /> 3-23 <br /> Revision: TR-126 <br /> Approved: <br />