2022-10-17_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (29)

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RULE 2 PERMITS Collom – Rule 2, Page 69 Revision Date: 4/28/22 Revision No.: TR-154 2.05 OPERATION AND RECLAMATION PLANS 2.05.1 Objectives The planned operations and reclamation will be similar to those presented in Volume 1, Section 2.05. Operational changes and information specific to the Collom Pit within the Collom mining area are described in the following sections of this permit revision application. 2.05.2 Operation Plan - Estimated Area for Life of Operation Information regarding the permit term is delineated in Section 2.01.5. Information for the operation plan is delineated in Section 2.05.3. Likewise, for purposes of this application, the permit area identifies the area for the life of the mine Colowyo will employ detailed and current engineering designs for all surface mining activities in order to maximize coal recovery. The open pit mining technique minimizes or eliminates coal rib losses and coal fenders. The mining operations described in Section 2.05.3 are designed for maximum coal recovery. 2.05.3 (1) Operation Plan – Production Methods Colowyo has selected its mining procedures on the basis of information from numerous exploration drill holes which penetrated the overburden, the interburden, and the coal seams. Each phase of mining has been carefully scheduled so that all equipment can be operated in situations suitable to their design capabilities. The overall operation plan is designed to flow logically from topsoil removal through reclamation. The plan is designed to maximize coal recovery and minimize environmental disturbances. Colowyo’s existing operation plan is described in detail within Volume 1, Section 2.05.3. The locations of the areas to be mined are shown on the Mine Plan Map (Map 23B). Topsoil removal schedules and stockpile locations are delineated on the Topsoil Handling Map, (Map 28C Sheet 1). Topsoil will be removed from an area primarily during the summer and fall months to allow for advancement of mining. A buffer zone, with topsoil removed, will be left between the undisturbed area and the crest of the pit. Additional information on topsoil handling is presented in Section 2.05.3 (5). The area to be mined within the Collom Pit covers an area of two long ridge lines at about 7900 feet in elevation which is bisected by a 100 to 200 feet deep valley formed by the stream channel of Little Collom Gulch. Ultimately the Collom Pit could cover about 880 acres and could be up to 600 feet deep in places. Seams that can be be mined in the Collom Pit include the Y, X, A, B, C, E, F, and G. The lowermost seam that could be developed is the Gab. As shown on the geologic cross-sections presented in Figure 2.04.6, all the coal seams in th Collom Pit are dipping at approximately 8 percent to the northeast. Cross section locations are shown on Map 11B. Given current market forecasts for coal sales, not all coal seams located within the Collom Pit are scheduled to be mined at this time. Should coal markets change, the Collom Mine Plan will be revised to mine additional seams as needed to meet contractual obligatoins. The current operating plan is to finish dragline operations in the South Taylor Pit, and then relocate the dragline into the Collom Pit in or around 2023. Once the dragline is in the Collom Pit, it will uncover the upper-most X coal seam and spoil overburden in the last-pass cut location. The truck/shovel fleet will excavate and transport X coal, and will also continue developing the Collom boxcut through the B,C,D and E coal seams.