2024-09-05_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (2)

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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, 04/24-TR154 A variety of fire-fighting equipment is available at West Elk Mine. In addition, fire-fighting equipment is examined regularly to assure that it is fully-operative. ABC-type fire extinguishers of various sizes are available throughout the mine facilities. The prime source of underground fire-fighting capability is the water from pipelines within the mine. Water cars and foam machines are also available for emergency situations. Personnel at the mine have had training in fire-fighting procedures and some have specific assignments related to fire protection. The fire-fighting training program in use at West Elk Mine includes training for miners in locating, using, and maintaining fire-fighting equipment and escape-ways. Security personnel are assigned fire watch for surface facilities as part of their responsibility. In addition, a clean-up program has been designed to eliminate any accumulation 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.