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<br />Mountain Coal Company <br />West Elk Mine <br />Deer Creek Shaft Project Plan <br />evacuation purposes (emergency shaft). Apropane-powered electric generator (probably <br />310 KW capacity) will be located on site to power the hoist for the emergency evacuation <br />capsule (expected size to hold approximately five people). It is anticipated that the hoist <br />and generator will be "exercised' at least weekly per MSHA requirements to assure <br />functionality. Other than this periodic exercising, the proposed installation will not <br />generate noise. Although a small source of noise, the infrequently used generator will <br />also be mufrled to reduce any noise during its operation. The 1000-gallon propane tank <br />associated with the generator will be buried in the pad for safety purposes. <br />MCC currently envisions a sl[eel-sided building approximately 30.feet in length by 20- <br />feet in width and 30-feet tall to cover and fimlly enclose the hoist systems and emergency <br />shaft A locked, 6-foot high chain link fence topped with barbed wire will preclude <br />public and wildlife access to Deer Creek Shaft and the steel-sided building. <br />Electric power for the hoist facility will be provided from the mine via a 7-inch cased <br />borehole approximately 400 feet deep. This hole at it's end of life will be plugged and <br />abandoned <br />Both the Deer Creek Shaft (24-feet finished diameter) and the emergency escape shaft (6- <br />feet finished diameter) will be constructed using either the raised bore or raised <br />bore/slashing technique. This allows the cuttings from the shafts' development to be <br />handled in the mine and eliminates surface disposal requirements for the raised-bore <br />cuttings. <br />Concrete for the shaft collars will likely be hauled from Paonia using the Minnesota <br />Creek Road (USFS 711). Current estimates are that approximately 4500 cubic yards of <br />concrete may be required for this project <br />Upon abandonment the shafts (circa. 2020) will be capped with concrete and steel <br />stmcture below ground surface. Backfill material from the subsoil stockpile will be used <br />to cover the caps. The shaft collars will be removed. Regrading to approximate original <br />contour for the pad and road will occur; if needed this surface will be scarified; the stored <br />topsoil spread; and the disturbance fertilized (25-0-0, minimum N-P-K) and seeded using <br />the USFS/CDMG mutually agreed reclamation seed mix. Straw mulching (certified <br />weed-fine straw) will be used as needed to facilitate reclamation. <br />SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY <br />The surface elevation of the proposed pad is approximately 7500 ft The surrounding <br />terrain is comprised of steep slopes and mesa tops formed within the Wasatch and Mesa <br />Verde Formations and the colluvium and alluvium layers of the slope debris. <br />Page 4 of 13 <br />