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23HG2E34XC, 23HG2E34.SXC, and 23HC2E35XC Project Plan <br />Mrnor Revision 322 <br />Page 8 of 12 <br />Due to the size and number of drill holes several cuttings retention options are being <br />analyzed. These include: <br />Piping of cutting from a mud pit located in native soil on the drill pad through a <br />slurry pipe across MCC owned property to a temporary impoundment located on <br />MCC owned property. Excess water could be decanted from the temporary <br />impoundment and settled solids removed. <br />Use of mud pits on or near the drill pad excavated in native soil. Mud pit <br />dimensions would be approximately 41'x 41'x 8' to accommodate cuttings with <br />25% swell, the run-off associated with a 2 acre drill pad and 10 yeaz, 24-hour <br />storm event and 1-ft of freeboard. Mud pit designs and calculations for 1.0 foot of <br />freeboard have been previously approved by the CDMG. <br />^ Hauling cuttings off the project site and depositing in the Refuse Pile Expansion <br />area. <br />As the mud pits will be excavated into native soil, mud pit slope failure is not a concern. <br />Water for the drilling operations will be pumped to the drill sites from the mine <br />dewatering polishing pond using high-pressure hose in combination with frac tanks and <br />high-pressure pumps. Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C. owns water rights for these water <br />resources. <br />DRILLING ACTIVITIES <br />Drilling activities for the proposed methane drainage wells will include mobilizing drill <br />equipment to the sites and drilling and setting approximately 2,000 feet of 14-inch surface <br />casing into bedrock to a zone 50-ft above the coal, seam. The holes will then be rotary <br />drilled with a 12-inch diameter hole to the B-Seam and cased in concrete to a 7-in <br />diameter. A depiction of a typical completed well will be forwarded to the CDMG along <br />with the typical plug and abandonment diagram. <br />MONITORING <br />Currently, MSHA is requiring monitoring and inspection of the wells twice daily after <br />installation. It is anticipated the frequency of monitoring would decrease to a weekly <br />monitoring and inspection of the installation. Routine maintenance will occur to the <br />extent necessary, simultaneous with the weekly monitoring. <br />