2024-01-22_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A

• Permit No: C1980007A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/22/2024
• Doc Name: 2.05-15 Thru 2.05-49
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05.3 Operation Plan - Permit Area
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

West Elk Mine

2.05-15 Rev. 06/05, 01/06, 03/06, 04/06 & 05/06- PR10; 01/09- MR350; 04/09- TR116; 04/09- MR353; 05/09- MR354; 08/09- TR118;
08/09- TR119; 09/12- MR387; 11/12- MR390; 07/18-PR15; 11/18- MR430; MR438- 09/19; MR439- 11/19; 07/20- MR447; 6/22-
MR464; 6/22 MR466; 6/22 MR468; 11/22 MR471; 07/23 MR474; 8/23 MR476; 09/23 MR477, 10/23 MR478, MR479, 1/24-TR152
2.05.3 Operation Plan - Permit Area

(1) Production Methods and Equipment

The production methods and equipment in use at West Elk Mine are described above in Section
2.05.2.

(2) Operation Description

The coal seams mined and mine operations are also described above in Section 2.05.2

Manpower Requirements

Existing and projected manpower requirements are shown in Table 32 for the permit term. Projected
manpower requirements are based on projected production levels to fulfill existing and anticipated
contracted coal sales.

Table 32
Projected Production and Estimated Employment at West Elk Mine for the Permit Term
Coal Production Total Employment
Year (millions of tons per year rounded) (number of persons at year-end)
2021 3.0 - 6.0 250 - 350
2022 3.0 - 6.0 250 - 350
2023 3.0 - 6.0 250 - 350
2024 3.0 – 6.0 250 - 350
2025 3.0 - 6.0 250 - 350
2026 3.0 - 6.0 250 - 350

(3) Mine Facilities

West Elk Mine's major surface facilities are located about one (1) mile east of the town of Somerset,
Colorado, and just south of State Highway 133. Access into the underground mine is primarily
through the F Seam. The West Elk Mine’s main portals are in the F Seam at an elevation of
approximately 6,450 feet AMSL in a mountainside area of semi-consolidated slump debris.
Additionally, access into the mine is provided through Shaft #1 in Sylvester Gulch. The location of
the portals is shown on Maps 33 and 53. Sloped entries within the mine provide access from the F
Seam down to the E and B Seams.

In all portal excavations, the material removed before reaching the F Seam is colluvium consisting of
weathered debris, mainly sandstone blocks and clay. To assure stability in the main portal area, these
colluvial materials were excavated and a concrete retaining wall was installed (Map 33). Logs of drill
holes in the portal area are shown on the cross-sections shown in Exhibit 15.

The main surface facilities consist of sediment control structures, coal handling facilities, support
facilities for mine operations, and other related facilities. Support facilities for mine operations
include the offices, maintenance shops, warehouses, and bathhouse. Other related facilities include
coal refuse disposal sites, equipment and material storage areas, and the mine ventilation fans. The
surface facilities in Sylvester Gulch include but are not limited to mine ventilation shafts and fans, a