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and inclined rock tunnels. <br />I.A.1.a Portal - D Seam This Portal consists of two rock tunnels: one two-compartment tunnel and <br />one single-compartment tunnel. The two-compartment tunnel is separated by a steel divider. The <br />upper compartment contains the coal conveyor belt, and the lower compartment contains an inclined <br />track for transportation of men and materials. The single-compartment tunnel is used for ventilation <br />and to provide a secondary escapeway. These tunnels were driven N23°E until the coal seam was <br />intercepted. Once in the coal, bottom development began during which the number of entries driven <br />gradually increased from two to six. This entry has been incorporated into the B Seam mine plan and <br />workingsventilationsnd the transportationof coal out of the mine. <br />I.A.1.b Portal - B Seam This portal is located about 100 feet southeast of the northeast corner of the <br />change house. Its design is similar to the D-Portal. It is about 18' wide and 10' high. The slope <br />leading to the B-Seam is about 450 feet long at 8.5° dip. <br />I.A.1.c Ventilation Entries - B Seam The B Seam ventilation is provided by the same intake fans as <br />the D Seam by way of short rock tunnels. These tunnels will originate in the D Seam West Mains <br />Entries and ramp down to the B Seam. Additionally, a ventilation shaft located approximately 4800 <br />feet northwest from the existing D Portal Area. <br />I.A.2 Mining Systems <br />Longwall vs. Room and Pillar Mining BME has designed the mining system to permit the optimum <br />recovery of the coal reserves in the safest and most economical manner. <br />The mining system selected for the Deserado Mine is primarily the longwall mining method. Some part <br />of the deposit maybe worked in part by the room and pillar, with pillar extraction mining method. <br />I.A.2.a Room and Pillar Mining Room and pillar mining or continuous mining has long been the <br />backbone of the United States' underground coal mining industry. The advantages of the continuous <br />mining system are due to its adaptability and flexibility. This system easily adapts to changes in the <br />geological and physical conditions of the mine. Using this system, it is possible to exclude in part any <br />Rio Blanco County Special Use Permit #81-1 <br />Exhibit B -Mining Plan <br />September2000 <br />2 <br />