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

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West Elk Mine 2.05-5 Rev. 11/04- PR11; 03/06- PR10; 07/15- MR413; 07/18- PR15, 01/24-TR152 ratio to 80-90 percent for the mining height, which is planned at approximately 10.0 to 12.0 feet for the B Seam and 8.0 to 14.0 feet for the E Seam. Using retreat mining in the mains, MCC plans on recovering 30 to 60 percent of the remaining coal depending on the location of the pillar. In 2023 mining was completed in the Sunset South Panels located in the E Seam. While mining this area many adverse mining conditions were encountered including faults and partings, and poor roof conditions due to the presence of mudstone bands, coal rider seams and weak laminations. Furthermore, on development it was found that the seam height reduced to a non- minable height on the east sides of the panels, causing all four Sunset panels to be shortened from earlier projections documented in Permit Revision 15 (PR-15). During longwall mining of Panels SS3 and SS4 the mudstone bands, coal rider seams and weak laminations created an un-washable product resulting in the need to cease mining earlier than projected in both Panels. SS3 Panel had a projection of 2.3 million tons and produced 2.0 million tons. SS4 Panel had a projection of 2.2 million tons and produced 0.4 million tons. The actual coal recovery will depend on the method of coal extraction as well as the actual coal seam thickness. Using room and pillar methods, MCC recovered about 50 percent of coal reserves in the F Seam. Using the longwall mining method, MCC has recovered and plans to recover about 80 percent of the thickness mined for the coal reserves of the B and E Seams (Table 29), based upon the current plans projected operations (see Maps 51 and 52.) Anticipated annual production is shown with expected employment needs in Table 32, (Section 2.05.3). Table 29 Recovery Rates for Room and Pillar and Longwall Mining Methods Room and Pillar Method Location Coal Recovery Main Development 30 – 40 % Mains Retreat Mining 30 – 60% Submain Development 30 – 40 % Panel Mining Partial Pillar Extraction 45 - 55 % Full Pillar Extraction 60 - 80 % Total 50 % Longwall Method Location Coal Recovery Main Development 30 – 40 % Submain Development 30 – 40 % Panels 80 – 90 % Total 80% Mining Equipment Mining equipment in use at West Elk Mine varies. Typical equipment used in the development mining operations is shown on Table 30. Typical equipment used in the longwall mining operations is shown on Table 31.