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<br />XIV. Operation Descriptio_n_, Mine Facilities, Coal Handling Structures, Coal <br />rocessing -as a an uppor aci i ies - u es f05.1u£:US~(T~- <br />Information about the operation plan and facilities is contained in <br />Sections 2.05.3 and 4.04 of the permit package. The operation proceeded much <br />as described in the original Findings Document during the initial permit term. <br />Coal production at the Southfield Mine during the past five years averaged <br />close to 535,000 tons per year. The mine has expanded to the south, west and <br />north while still using the original entries. Coal is still stored at the <br />mine site and then trucked to the load-out near Florence or to customers. <br />Coal is also stockpiled at the load-out prior to train shipment. <br />Surface disturbance from the mine is still restricted to approximately <br />81 acres at the mine and 15 acres at the load-out. The total permit area <br />(following approval of Permit Revision No. 1) encompasses 2800 acres. <br />All coal mine waste from the operation has been disposed of in the approved <br />coal refuse facility at the mine. An expansion of the refuse pile was <br />approved by the Division (Technical Revision No. 7), providing additional <br />capacity. EFCI has also submitted a proposal to dispose of coal mine waste in <br />the nearby GEC East Pit. This plan is currently under review by the <br />Division. The operator proposed reducing the depth of noncombustible cover on <br />the existing refuse pile from four feet to 16 inches. The Division denied <br />this request but, will consider a variance based on the results of field tests <br />which the operator has proposed. <br />The only changes to the list of mine facilities in the original Findings is <br />the addition of a power line to the North Dewatering Well and the Rock Du st <br />Bin near the refuse pile. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XV. Roads - Rules 2.05.3(3), 4.03 <br />Information regarding roads is contained in Section 4.03. There have been no <br />changes in this section. <br />EFCI proposed retaining the access road to the refuse pile as a permanent <br />structure to remain after reclamation, The original Findings Document <br />contains a stipulation due to concerns about the stability and suitability of <br />this road as a post-mine structure. The applicant also has yet to provide a <br />written request for retention of the road from the surface owner, the <br />Vento Trust. Parties associated with the trust are currently involved in <br />litigation. The Division is not presently approving retention of this road <br />following mining. <br />_19_ <br />