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West Elk Mine <br /> <br />2.05-41 Rev. 11/04, 03/06, 04/06 & 05/06- PR10; 08/09- TR118; 08/09-TR119; 09/09- MR357; 01/10- TR120; 10/12- MR-388 <br />suppression system. These ponds were constructed from suitable site materials and have <br />engineered earth-fill embankments with 3H to 1V sideslopes. The pond is lined with a semi- <br />impermeable clay liner. Pond FW-1 specifications are contained in Exhibit 49. Exhibit 44 <br />contains design considerations and data. The original FW-2 design is similar in construction to <br />FW-1. The location of the original FW-2 pond (in the approximate location of MB-5E is shown <br />in Exhibit 43. The original design of FW-2 is contained in Exhibit 44, but is no longer planned <br />to be constructed. <br /> <br />(5) Topsoil <br /> <br />Whenever technically feasible, topsoil and subsoil on sites of proposed surface facilities will be <br />stripped and placed in appropriate stockpiles before any construction occurs. Map 53, Map 53A, <br />and Map 53B show the location of West Elk Mine's topsoil and subsoil stockpiles. These <br />stockpiles are appropriately signed and will be maintained according to applicable regulations for <br />the life of the mine or until used for reclamation. Handling of topsoil is more thoroughly <br />discussed in Section 2.05(4). When a topsoil stockpile is expected to remain inactive for more <br />than one year, it is seeded with the permanent or temporary seed mix (described in Section <br />2.05.4.). This seeding will protect the stockpiles from wind and water erosion. <br /> <br />(6) Overburden <br /> <br />Because West Elk Mine is an underground mine and not a surface mine, no overburden is removed, <br />handled, or stored. Spoil from developing underground workings is handled as coal mine waste. <br />Therefore, the discussion of refuse disposal in Section 2.05.3(8) also applies to all spoil generated <br />during these developmental activities. <br /> <br />(7) Coal Handling Structures <br /> <br />At West Elk Mine, coal handling structures consist of belt conveyors, three run-of-mine stacking <br />tubes with an underground conveyor reclaim system, a double-roller crusher, screening plant, <br />rotary breaker, a coal preparation plant and associated coal handling facilities, two silos, a <br />crushed coal stack-tube with an underground conveyor reclaim system, a dozer trap reclaim <br />system, and a railroad loadout facility. Map 53 shows the locations of these coal handling <br />structures. Each facility or group of facilities is described below. <br /> <br />Conveyors <br /> <br />Run-of-mine coal is transported from the longwall production and continuous miner <br />development sections to the various surface facilities by a system of belt conveyors. A 60-inch <br />mine conveyor carries coal from the mine portal to the stacking tubes. At a speed of 900 feet per <br />minute, the capacity of this conveyor is approximately 3,500 tons per hour. The conveyor <br />belting is covered by a semi-circular corrugated galvanized metal cover. Primary and secondary <br />walkways were constructed along the conveyor. The conveyor structure is steel. A reclaim <br />feeder was installed on the run of mine belt near the portals in 1987. <br />