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Coal Resource Protection and Conservation <br />Mining at Yoast involves extraction of two separate coal seams (the Wadge and the Wolf Creek • <br />seams) having varying overburden depths. The initial choice of mining equipment type and size was <br />based upon the type of mining conditions, production requirements, the life of the mining operation, <br />types and thicknesses of overburden, local and regional dip, and thickness of the coal seam. <br />Experience in mining at Yoast has resulted in the anticipated mix of excavation and support <br />equipment. Auxiliary equipment has been matched to the primary excavator and its capabilities. <br />Mining activities are conducted to maximize the recovery of coal while maintaining environmental <br />integrity. <br />During reserve development, all the coal encountered during drilling is recorded. The correlatable and <br />estimated mineable seams are cored and analyzed. These data are utilized to finally determine <br />mineable reserves. The quality of the seams as well as their occurrence in the geologic column is <br />considered when determining whether the seam is mineable; or nonmineable. <br />The design of the cut widths are based upon the machine performing the excavation to prevent the <br />pits from becoming too wide resulting in spoil material being placed on uncovered coal and leaving <br />coal fenders. Sloughing of spoil material onto uncovered coal is anticipated to occur infrequently. If <br />sloughing should occur, auxiliary equipment will be utilized to remove the spoil material so that the • <br />coal can be removed. All coal fenders will be mined. Negligible amounts of coal should be lost <br />because of either of these two conditions. Further, it is ir; the operator's best interest to recover the <br />maximum amount of coal possible once the overburden hae~ been removed and the coal seam exposed. <br />The efficiency of the mining operations can be measured try the number of tons of coal produced per <br />acre foot (TPAFI. Based on drill hole data regarding sea;n thickness, coal partings, and extent and <br />laboratory analysis of specific gravity 11.301, in-place reserves are estimated to be 1,760 tons per acre <br />foot' Actual production will be calculated monthly using scale measurements and stockpile <br />fluctuations. This production would be defined through the use of monthly aerial or engineering <br />surveys to an area where coal was actually removed to produce the TPAF recovered for each month. <br />The historical average recovery for the Seneca II-W mine ie: approximately 91 percent. Mined tonnage <br />is, therefore, estimated at 1,620 TPAF. This recovery is well within industry standards (Wood, 19831. <br />Although uncommon at the neighboring Seneca Il and II-VV Mines, coal fires may occur in the mined <br />cut and spoil, coal handling facilities, or reclaimed highwalls. It is in Seneca's best interest to control <br />fires and prevent loss of coal resource. Burning coal in these areas will be extinguished by removing <br />and mixing the material wish noncombustible material to the extent practicable and burial wish at least <br />four feet of noncombustible material, if appropriate. Mater may be utilized in the coal handling <br />facilities. <br />PR-02 13 Revised 03/05 <br />