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2.05.3 Operations Plan -Permit Arca <br />• Each application shall contain a detailed description of the specific mining operations proposed to be conducted within <br />the permit area. This description shall utclude, at a minimum, the fallowing: <br />(I) Production methods and equipment. A narrative description of the specific type and method of coal <br />minine procedures and proposed cnaineerinK techniques, anticipated annual and totral production of coal by toitnag_e, <br />and the major equipment to be used for all aspects of [hose operations. <br />RESPONSE <br />Introduction <br />The Foidel Creek Mine is an underground mine that utilizes the continuous and longwall mining methods to <br />extract coal. The objective of the overall operation plan is maximum resource rewvery and maximum productivity <br />and economics. At full production, the mine will produce in excess of 6,000,000 - 10,000,000 tons per year. <br />Depending upon production levels, the life of the mine will range from I I to 19 years. This is based upon adding <br />26.7 million tons in the Eastern Mining District. <br />Mine Portal Omenines <br />Access from the surface to the coal seam is provided by three declined rock tunnels. Each tunnel was excavated 18 <br />feet wide by 12 feet high, with an arched roof. The interior perimeter is supported by rock bolts, shotcrete, steel <br />rings and concrete. Each slope was driven from surface to the intersection of a full face of coal. <br />Slope No. 2 has a total length of 273.5 feet. It is the primary opening for intake air ventilation and men and <br />• materials transportation. The tunnel is declined at an angle of 12 degrees to facilitate vehicular travel; a reinforced <br />concrete floor slab was poured over the full length of the slope. <br />Slope No. 3 is 229.5 feet long and dipping at 14 degrees. It is the conveyor entry and a neutral airway. The belt <br />conveyor is aroof-hung 42 inch wide rigid structure. <br />Slope No. 4 was driven at 18 degrees for a total length of 155 feet and serves as the return airway. The main mine <br />fan, attached to the portal opening of this slope, pulls clean air through the mine and out the return slope. <br />In order to enhance overall mine safety, and to facilitate men and material transportation in and out of the mine two <br />new entries will be developed to the east of the existing portal. Two new entries, called the eastern portals, will be <br />driven from the inside of the mine out to daylight as shown on Map 23. Prior to mining the coal from these entries <br />approval will be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management. <br />These entries will be broken through into the old pit floor left by the prior Colorado Yampa Coal Company surface <br />mining operation. This is the same pit that the existing portals were driven from. Approximately 17,000 CY of <br />spoil will be moved from the breakout area to the eastern end of the pit. The spoil will either be pushed up to grade <br />in with the existing parking area at the mine office location, or will be placed against the highwall. The spoil will <br />remain in the old pit and not carried outside of it. <br />[n the excavation area the spoil on the south side of the pit will be sloped to 2H: I V, and the existing drainage ditch will <br />be relocated on this slope. This will carry the upland flow around the eastern portals. The ditch will remain the same <br />size.as previously permitted. As is shown on Map 24, Surface Facilities, all of the drainage will be routed to Pond D <br />through the existing drainage control system, except for the drainage in the immediate area of the east entries. The <br />• runoff in this area is shown to drain into the entries. The runoff will Flow down into the existing sump, and then it will <br />pumped out to the surface through TCC's existing discharge system. French drains will be constructed on either side of <br />the entries to facilitate drainage of the area. <br />• .i <br />Permit Renewal No. 3 2.05-8 4/1/99 <br />