2006-06-02_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1980007A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/2/2006
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05 Operation and Reclamation Plans
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

West E[k Mine
•
Table 29
Recove Rates for Room and Pillar and Lon wall Minin Methods
Room and Pillar Method

Location Coal Recove I
Main Develo ment 30 - 40
Submain Develo ment 30-40 °k
Panel Minin
Partial Pillar Extraction 45 - 55
Full Pillar Extraction 60 - 80
Total 50

Lon wall Method
Location Coal Recove
Main Develo ment 30 - 40
Submain Develo ment 30 - 40 °/a
Panels 80 - 90
Total 80%
Coal recovery depends on the method of coal extraction. Using room and pillar methods, MCC
recovered about 50 percent of coal reserves in the F Seam. With the longwall mining method,
Mountain Coal Company recovers (and plans to recover) about 80 percent of the thickness mined
for the coal reserves of the B and E Seams (Table 29), based upon current mine plans.
Anticipated Annual Production is shown with expected employment needs in Table 32, (2.05.3).
Mining Equipment
Mining equipment in use at West Elk Mine varies. Typical equipment used in the development
mining operations is shown on Table 30. Typical equipment used in the longwall mining
operations is shown on Table 31.
Use and Conservation ofthe Coal Resource

The mine plan has been laid out to recover as much coal as practical, considering prudent
mining practices and economic viability of the operation. Longwall technology is utilized at
West Elk Mine to achieve the maximum economic recovery of the coal reserves, enhance
personnel safety, and protect surface resources. Although this method attains the highest overall
reserve recovery, not all coal will be recovered.
Although high recovery rates will be achieved for the E and B Seams, some coal will remain
unmined. Because of the specific and regulaz pattern needed for longwall panel development,
small areas of marginally thick E and B Seam coal will not be mined. These aeeas occur where
the planned longwall panel layout cannot be configured to fit the reserve azea. Where E and B
Seam mining will occur, some top coal, from one to two feet in thickness, will be left umnined
in the roof to improve roof conditions and hence, personnel safety and product quality. Because
the full seam thickness commonly exceeds the maximum extraction height of the mining
equipment, some floor coal will also be left unmined.
2.05-5 Revised November 2004 PRII; Rev. Mmcb 2006