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A general description of the engineering techniques utilized in the development of an area surface mine <br />must begin with the exploratory phase. After the initial discovery of a potential coal field has been • <br />made (generally by drilling several "wildcat" test holesl, engineers and geologists, utilizing available <br />maps and information, establish an exploratory drilling program to "prove up" the coal reserves. The <br />drill hole pattern is determined and is normally based on some convenient breakdown of the public land <br />survey system. Additional drilling is conducted where the coal is expected to outcrop or where faulted <br />conditions are expected. Then survey crews establish baseline control in order to locate the drill holes <br />and property corners. With this survey control available, the area of interest can be contour mapped <br />from aerial photography. With an accurate base map and all of the necessary drilling information, the <br />engineers can calculate the various factors necessary to establish a mining plan. In area surface <br />mining, these factors would include acres of coal available, tons of recoverable coal expected, cubic <br />yards of overburden to be removed, and the ratio of cubic yards of overburden removed per ton of coal <br />produced. These factors and others are examined in the light of prevailing market conditions and a <br />determination made as to the potential economic viability of a mine. Once a positive determination is <br />made and an annual output established for the mine, the engineers determine the size, type, and <br />numbers of equipment or facilities needed, including topsoil removal equipment, primary stripping <br />machines, drills, dozers, loaders, haulage equipment, reclamation equipment, coal handling facilities, • <br />and service facilities. Standard mine engineering practices, including the examination of contour maps, <br />borings, range diagrams, and manufacturer's specifications, are utilized in sizing the major stripping <br />machines. Quantities of soils to be moved las determined by soil surveys) and the distances and travel <br />conditions involved are used to determine fleet type and size for topsoil handling equipment. <br />Overburden borings, indicating type and amount of rock, as well as expected production rates are <br />examined in sizing blasthole drills and pit tractors. Quantities of coal and rate of production are the <br />major determining factors in sizing loaders and haulage equipment. The type and numbers of <br />reclamation equipment are dependent on a number of factors, including quality and quantity of spoil <br />material to be graded, distances spoil must be moved, projected postmine contour configuration, and <br />weather conditions. Type and size of the coal processing facility are based upon the quality and <br />quantity of coal produced, the type of processing required, and the transportation facilities available to <br />handle the finished product. Service facilities such as shops, office buildings, warehouses, bathhouses, <br />powder storage, electrical supply lines, and water lines are designed to be in conformance with all <br />applicable State and Federal safety regulations. Table 12-1, Mining and Reclamation Equipment, lists <br />the major equipment currently in use or that has been used at Seneca II-W. • <br />PR-05 2 Revised 05/05 <br />