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been listed. Production rates beyond the 5 year permit period will <br />• depend upon market conditions. <br />Table 4.2-1. Anticipated Coal Production During the 5-Year Permit <br />Period <br />e~ L :)L . :.C. n:l <br />one ~^~ ,0 0 Tons <br />two 250,000 Tons <br />three X50. 000 Tons <br />four 1,000,000 Tons <br />five 1,000,000 Tons <br />Expansion beyond 1 million tons per year will depend upon market <br />conditions. <br />In conjunction with the highly productive exploration program, NCIG <br />in 1981 also conducted a successful hydraulic mining test. A short <br />adit was developed in the B seam of the Grand Hogback, using <br />conventional mining methods of cutting the coal with a roadheader <br />and supporting the roof by timbering. A high pressure water <br />nozzle, known as a hydraulic monitor, was then mounted on the <br />roadheader. To enable NCIG to develop their high water pressures <br />• and flows necessary for suitable hydraulic testing, oil field <br />hydrofracturing equipment was used to insure that the parameters <br />established for the tests would be met. Thirty different tests <br />were performed to evaluate various pressures, flow rates, nozzle <br />sizes, energy requirements, and production rates. The tests proved <br />very successful with the coal being efficiently cut from the seam <br />using the hydraulic mining technique. Subsequent feasibility <br />studies have conclusively established that the coal reserves in the <br />Grand Hogback can be economically mined utilizing this technology. <br />4.2.1 Production Methods and Equipment <br />9.2.1.1 Production Methods <br />Complete hydraulic mining involves the use of water jets to cut and <br />break t1Te coal, as well as hydraulic transportation of the coal. <br />. NCZG - Coal Ridge #1 4-3 ABC/1145/910509 <br />7/i-7 <br />