2024-01-22_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A (3)

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West Elk Mine 2.05-11 Rev. 11/04- PR11; 03/06- PR10; 07/15- MR413; 07/18- PR15, 01/24-TR152 of combustible materials. West Elk Mine’s program is approved by the District Office of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Ventilation Ventilation in the working sections where coal is being cut, and at the last open crosscut, has been established to assure compliance with current Federal and State regulations. Abundant fresh air is provided to the working face to dilute mine gases and diesel emissions to acceptable levels. Stoppings are constructed of non-combustible material and built as airtight as possible to assure that the maximum amount of clean air reaches the working face. Mine Ventilation Boreholes (“MVB”, a.k.a. “MDW”) are also drilled from the surface to about 25 feet above the top of the coal seam to be longwall mined. After the longwall face undermines the coal below the MVB, a methane-driven mobile pump is started to supplement the ventilation system by exhausting the methane from the caved gob area out of the mine rather than allowing it to enter the main mine ventilation courses. For the protection of the employees, the air courses are examined in accordance with State and Federal standards or more often, if necessary, to protect the quality and quantity of air underground. Methane above the permissible limits is either diluted and rendered harmless in active areas of the mine through mine ventilation or drained-off prior to and during active mining through the MVB systems. Electrical Power All electrical equipment at the mine meets applicable Federal regulations. In addition, regular, documented inspections of the equipment are conducted. Equipment is adequately grounded to prevent electrical shock hazards. Fences, metal buildings, and metal structures are also properly grounded to prevent electrical shock hazards. Communication wires and exposed power conductors entering the underground mine have lightning arresters and are hung or adequately protected against mechanical damage. Employees trained to perform electrical work are certified for that type of work by the appropriate State and Federal agencies. Except for troubleshooting, work is not performed on energized electrical equipment. Thus, high voltage lines, both on the surface and underground, are de-energized and grounded before most work is performed. Accidents MCC reports to the applicable State and Federal agencies all serious accidents damaging the mine, the lands, or other resources that could cause air or water pollution. The agencies are notified by telephone or in writing. At the same time, MCC identifies any corrective actions initiated to resolve the situation.