PERMFILE113596

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/4/2002
• Doc Name: Request to Drill 2 Boreholes
• From: MCC
• To: USFS
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 80 Drilling Activities - MR283
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

MOUNTAIN COAL
~~ iCOMPANY~.~.e.
A Subsidiary of Arch Westcm Resources, TLC
August 30, 2001
Ms. Susan Spear, District Ranger
United States Forest Service (USFS)
P.O. Box 1030
Paonia, Colorado 81428
~~~ II~II~~I~II~~ II~
West Elk Mine
P O. Boa 591
5174 Highway I33
Somerset, CO 81434
[phone]
Far [phone]
Re: Mountain Coal Company L.L.C. (MCC), West Elk Mine, Request for Authorization to
Construct Drill Pads and Drill Gob /Vent Degas Borehole Nos. 15-08, and 15-09 Alt.
Dear Ms. Speaz:
MCC is submitting this request for authorization to construct two pads and drill gob vent degas
boreholes from two new locations. The pad locations will be constructed on the existing roads.
Proposed borehole pad No. 15-08 is located between No. 14-08 (formally 14-07, submitted to the
USFS August 7, 2001) and 96-27-I (Off-set) and Borehole No. I5-09 Alt. would be located between
No. 15-08 and 96-27-1 (Off-set). The proposed pad locations are in Section 27 of T.13 S., R. 90 W.,
6a' PM.
The USFS is in receipt of MCC's requests to construct pads Nos. 14-06, submitted August 22, 2001,
15-06, and 15-07 submitted August 23, 2001, and as mentioned above, No. 14-08 (formally 14-07)
submitted August 7, 2001. The biological and cultural reports enclosed contain additional cleazances
for Pads Nos. 14-06, 15-06, 15-07, as well as, 15-08, and 15-09. MCC wanted to ensure that biological
and cultural cleazance was conducted site specifically rather than relying on previous road right-of--way
cleazances. This same information will be submitted to the Colorado Division of Minerals and
Geology as Minor Revision No. 283 to MCC's Mining and Reclamation Permit No. C-80-007.
Copies of the cultural resource information were forwarded to Ms. Sally Crum of the USFS Collbran
Ranger District by our consultant (Greystone). Copies of biological and cultural reports were also
submitted to the USFS with the Request for Authorization to Construct Borehole Pad Nos. RAV-10,
96-27-1, 96-27-1 (Off-set), SOM-124, 14-04, 14-05, 14-07, and Exploration Pads AAA and BBB.
Referencing the enclosed map and previously submitted documents, MCC is proposing to construct the
pads and align Borehole Nos. 15-08 and 15-09 Alt. in neaz vertical positions above the intended tazget
area in the mine. The anticipated size of the drill pads (] 20' x 180') will be field-fitted due to the
terrain surrounding the roadways. Because only one borehole will be drilled from these locations, and
less depth of cover (1,470' and 1,520' respectively), over the intended tazget areas, it is thought that
smaller mudpits will need to be constructed. The water will be supplied for the drilling by flexible
hose laid on the ground. The existing roadways will be used and the pad enlazged from the roadways