Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Seneca Coal Company Highwal] Mining Addendum <br />MSHA I.D. OS-00304 March ]5, 2004 <br />• 6. Hole Completion /Closure <br />Afrer the mining process in each entry has been completed and the machinery <br />moved to the to the next entry, Seneca Coal Company is responsible for blocking <br />the enties with suitable fill material. A maximum of 300 ft of unblocked entries <br />closest to the active entry will remain open for observation of the web pillars for <br />detection of any signs of movement. <br />E. Ventilation <br />Methane -The miner has a methane monitor system that is approved by the Secretary <br />and is displayed at the operator's station indicating percentage of methane/air mixture. <br />Methane concentrations are continuously displayed on a monitor in the operator's <br />compartmem. This system is designed with a monitoring system that gives a warming <br />at 1 % methane concentration and automatically de-energies the miner should it be <br />exposed to a methane concentration of 2% or Beater. Seneca Coai Company does not <br />anticipate high levels of methane. <br />(a) If an indicator is indicating 1 % methane, the cutter head will be lowered to the <br />center of the seam, and the machine shut down. All launch personnel will be <br />removed from the immediate area, and a methane examination will be conducted <br />• at the cut opening. The conveyor system will remain in operation. Internal <br />combustion engines will not be operated in the vicinity of the highwall mining <br />opening during the surface methane examination. <br />(b) Methane levels are digitally displayed in the operator's compartment. When <br />methane levels at the cutterhead have dispersed, another methane examination <br />will be conducted at the cut opening using an extendable probe. Work will be <br />able to continue as long as methane levels remain below 1 %. <br />(c) If methane levels in excess of 1% are encountered a second time while mining a <br />cut, procedures (a) and (b) above will be repeated. <br />(d) In the event the methane monitor shuts down the machine (indicating 2% <br />methane), or if a 1 % reading continues for a sustained period after implementing <br />procedures (a) and (b) above, all undergound equipment will be de-energized <br />and removed from the cut. De-energized equipment wi17 be pulled from the hole <br />using hydraulic cylinders on the launch vehicle. The cut will be abandoned. <br />(e) The method of performing the tests for methane at the cut opening will be <br />determined by the position of the launch vehicle. At all times, the person <br />performing the test will remain under the protective canopy. <br />(f) Methane monitor sensors on the mining unit will be visually inspected and <br />• cleaned prior to each cut. The methane monitors will be calibrated at ]east once <br />every 31 days. <br />