PERMFILE60488

• Permit No: C1981018A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 10/10/2003
• Section_Exhibit Name: Section III. Mine Description
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

• over longwalls as this depends on a wide range of factors such as compaction and strength of the roof
rock, tectonic stresses and configuration of the surface.
BME has selected 150 feet as the minimum overburden thickness to ensure a dependable,
controllable longwall system.
III.A.2.c Mining Method Decision. The above criteria governed the selection of the mining system as
shown on Map 119. The areas close to the outcrop on the south of the mining area were unsuitable
for longwall mining due to the low overburden height. Room and Pillar panels RP-1 and RP-2 in the D
Seam were excluded from longwall mining because the boundary geometry did not allow longwall
mining. Previously designed longwall panels to the west of the West Mains in the D Seam were
eliminated in the new mine plan because the coal seam is thin and consists of partings, and it overlies
better coal in the B Seam. In BME's opinion the B Seam coal under this portion of the D Seam should
not be jeopardized. BME has designed a mining plan which will give the highest resource recovery in
the safest and most economical manner.
III.A.3 Mininn Sequence Maps 119 and 120 show the mine plan and development sequence for the
D Seam and the B Seam, respectively.
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Initial mining began with the D Seam portals. Underground access to the coal seam has been
provided by two declined rock tunnels: one doublecompartmentdectine and one single-compartment
decline. The double-compartment decline is divided by a steel divider. The upper compartment
contains the coal conveyor belt, and the lower compartment is for transportation of men and materials.
The single-compartment slope is used solely for intake ventilation through the mine fan. The double
compartment slope is approximately 500 feet long driven on a decline of 14° to intersect the coal
seam. The ventilation slope is driven on a decline of 16°.
Bottom development was completed in the area where the two slopes intersected the coal. The West
Mains were developed to a point where development of the South Submains could begin. When the
South Submains were completed, the East Exhaust Portal was developed and the portal constructed.
Development of the East Mains and the gateroads for longwall panels then began. Mining in the first
longwall district comprised of five longwall panels (LW-1 to LW-5) was completed in 1993. The district
was subsequently sealed underground.
• Midterm Review (8/2002) III-6