Laserfiche WebLink
COAL RESERVE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT DRILL PROGRAM <br />• INTRODUCTION <br />The New Horizon Mine coal reserves are based on approximately 105 boreholes drilled <br />between the mid-1980's and 12001 The bulk were drilled by Peabody Coal Company in <br />the 1980's. Western Fuels -Colorado (WFC) drilled about 45 holes from 1993 to 2001. <br />Occasionally, WFC needs to drill infill holes within the existing array to make more certain <br />of its' reserve estimations concerning various mining parameters such as coal quality, coal <br />and overburden thickness, etc. WFC anticipates that during the year 2002 such infill holes <br />will be needed. <br />PROGRAM DESCRIPTION <br />The drill program will consist of ten mixed rotary and core holes completed to depths that <br />range from 80 to 140 feet (see Figure 2.05.3(3)-12.2). The upper portion of each core hole <br />will be air rotary drilled to about 2 feet on top of the upper coal seam (UDX). A spot core <br />of about 22 feet will be bored to about 2 below the lower coal seam (LDX). All holes will be <br />completed with a 15 to 20 foot air rotary subdrill below the LDX to allow for E-log probing <br />of each hole. Rotary hole diameter for the top portion will be between 4.5" and 5.5", the <br />outside core diameter will be about 4.0" to 5.0", and the rotary subdrill will be between 3 <br />7/8" and 5.5". <br />• The equipment to be used will consist of a medium-sized single-wall air rotary truck <br />mounted drill rig similar to a Portadrill TKT or Failing CF-15. This type of rig is capable of <br />drilling the spot cores needed. Support equipment will include a 1500 to 3000 gal water <br />truck, boom truck and drillers' pick-up. Actual equipment used and drill hole dimensions <br />will depend on the contractor selected to do the work. <br />EARTHMOVING REQUIREMENTS <br />Eight of the ten sites are on fairly level ground that will require no road or site preparation <br />as they are on pasture land. Two of the sites will require the clearing of brush or small <br />diameter trees (< 6"), plus the construction of a small pad needed only to level the drill. <br />Estimated aggregate area of disturbance is 2,000 ft2. Pad clearing will be accomplished <br />by tracked machinery. The two sites required drill pads will not required bladed access <br />roads. Vegetative material cleared will be piled adjacent to the drill pad for later burning. <br />DISTURBED AREA <br />An estimated 2,000 ft2 of topsoil will have to be removed to construct two drill pads. <br />Topsoil removed will be stored at an existing topsoil pile. Drill pads will be reclaimed in the <br />normal sequence of events as the holes will be mined through. See attached Table <br /> <br />(Revised 3102) Attachment 2.05.3(3)10- 7 <br />