2001-12-11_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A (2)

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interference with sufficient outcrop barrier (minimum 200 feet) to ensure mine safety. Pillar retreat mining will be carried out in this area. A portion of the area to be retreat mined underlies the permitted tipper refuse disposal site, which has not been constructed to date. Construction of the upper refuse disposal site is not planned until the lower refuse pile is near its designed capacity. Lower than anticipated underground production has occurred since September of 1986 due to lose of a major (800,000 tons per year) contract. Production has been on the order of 450,000 to 500,000 tons per year versus a projected 1,000,000 to 1,400,000 tons per year in the F seam. This has extended the life of the. lower refuse pile by several years. Production from the S seam is expected to generate less refuse material than the F seam due to thicker coal and inherently better geotechnical conditions. The expected remaining life of the lower refuse area. is in excess of 15 years based on the following estimates: LOCATION YEAR EST. REFUSE REMAINING AVAILABLE PRODUCF~D-TO S STORAGE-TONS F Seam 1989 50,000 1,019,550 . F B Seam Seam 1990 1990 50,000 55,000 969,550 914,550 F Seam 1991 25,000 889,550 B Seam 1991 25,000 864,550 B Seam 1992 50,000 814,550 B Seam 1993 75,000 739,550 B Seam 1994 75,000 664,550 B Seam 1995 75,000 589,550 S Seam 1996 75,000 514,550 B Seam 1997 75,000 439,000 B Seam 1998 75,000 364,550 B Seam 1999 75,000 289,550 B Seam 2000 75,000 214,550 B Seam 2001 75,000 139,550 B Seam 2002 75,000 64,550 These estimates are conservative. It is not expected that refuse generation will be high in the B seam. Due to the extended life of the lower refuse pile, retreat mining beneath the upper refuse pile is possible. Subsidence will have occurred, stresses relieved, and sufficient time lapsed before the Upper refuse pile construction begins. Exhibit 3.4.4.B.2 shows the revised F seam mining area.