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 Elk Mine
Main Entries & Sub-Main Entries
At West Ells Mine, from five to nine entries currently are mined as main entries. The number of
entries depends on mining conditions, and ventilation and access requirements. As few as three
entries could be driven in special circumstances. The entries are used for intake and return air
ventilation, coal haulage, and men and material transportation. The entries are driven parallel to
each other on 60 to 100 foot centers. Crosscuts aze on 100 to 200 foot centers. The entries aze
also separated as necessary by stoppings.
Room and Pillar Panels
In general, the F Seam room and pillar panels consisted of 6 to 8 entries driven parallel to each
other on 60- to 100-foot centers. Crosscuts were on 60 to 120 foot centers. Room and pillar
panel entries consisted of intake and return ventilation, conveyor belt, haulage, and escape-ways,
separated as necessary by stoppings. During secondary mining of the room and pillar panels,
additional rooms may have been developed on one or both sides of the initial development.
Sufficient barrier pillazs were Left to protect the main entries and bleeder entries (if separate
bleeders were utilized). During secondary mining, partial or full pillar extraction was used,
depending on conditions in the panel.
Longwall Gate-Roads
• Room and pillar methods are used to develop gate-road entries for the longwall mining
equipment. Generally, two to five parallel entries are driven on from 55 to 120 foot centers.
Currently, athree-entry yield abutment design is typically used. The size and configuration of
longwall gate pillazs is based on the regional geology, and depth of cover. Different
configurations are now used in the eastern portion of the B Seam reserve. Longwall panel
barrier pillars will be left to protect main entries and bleeder entries.
Bleeder Entries
Bleeder entries aze typically developed to ventilate active and previously mined longwall
areas until those azeas can be permanently sealed. Bleeder entries aze connected to the main
return air ventilation system. Continued use of bleeder entries is currently being evaluated.
Preliminary plans for the E Seam include a "bleederless" ventilation system resulting in
each panel being progressively and/or completely sealed upon completion of mining a
particular panel. This alternative may be implemented in the B Seam as well.
Barrier Pillars
A barrier pillar is a lazge block of solid coal left in place to protect active mine workings. Barrier
pillazs are left, as necessary, between longwall panels and main entries, between submains and
longwall panels, or in other areas, as needed. Bamer pillars vary in size, and designs are based
primarily on life-expectancy and degree of protection required for the barrier. Design
• criteria include depth of overburden, horizontal stresses, etc. In all cases, the dimensions of
1.05 Revised November 2004 PRII; Rev. March 2006