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West Elk Mine <br /> <br />Because the coal benches split neaz the mazgins of the coal deposit, the B Seam ranges in total <br />thickness (B1, B2, and B3) from 1.5 feet to 16.5 feet across the coal lease area (Map 13). Those <br />azeas where B Seam splitting, parting thickening, or coal bench thinning may preclude or limit <br />the economic recovery of the reserve, using current longwall technology, aze identified (Map <br />13). In the permit azea, the thickness of the B Seam reserve is highly vaziable because the upper <br />and lower coal benches (B1 and B2) aze split by both the Ml and M2 partings in an irregulaz <br />manner. In this area the B Seam ranges from 1.0 feet to 16.5 feet in total thickness. Map 12 <br />shows the combined total thickness of the B1 and B2 coal benches. <br />B Seam Reserves <br />M <br /> <br />Reserves for the B-Seam at year-end 2003, are tabulated in Table 3 for the remaining Box <br />Canyon lease reserves. Because the combined thickness of the B1 and B2 coal benches can <br />exceed the maximum mineable thickness, a 12 foot maximum mining height is assumed for this <br />area. The maximum mineable thickness is controlled by operational and safety factors. The <br />reserve estimate is based upon current mining plans. <br />a e a ea a ese es ons <br />Reserves Leased To Be Leased Total <br />B Seam 25 2 * 27 <br />E Seam 66 13** 79 <br />Total 91 15 106 <br />* West Flatiron [.ease <br />** Proposed Dry Fork LBA <br />The combined thickness of the BI and B2 coal benches for the remaining Box Canyon lease <br />reserves can exceed the maximum mineable thickness, therefore, a 12 foot maximum mining <br />height is assumed for this area. The maximum mineable thickness is controlled by operational <br />and safety factors. <br />2.04-24 <br />Revised November 1004 PR70 <br />