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Contracts and Customers <br />• <br />The Bear Coal Company produces high quality, low sulfur steam, lump and <br />stoker coal from its mining operations. <br />Unlike many major coal producers in the area, the Bear Coal Company does <br />not have vast amounts of coal resources which can be produced while the <br />company awaits the approval of this mining and reclamation plan. The <br />expedient approval of the plan is imperative if Bear Coal Company is to <br />maintain its present level of production and employment and if it is to <br />meet obligations to its customers. All of the coal production is sold <br />by Bear Coal Company with a significant portion being dedicated to use <br />for heating by local residents. <br />Work Force <br />A total of 60 to 70 employees make up the full work force of Bear Coal <br />Company mining operations in Gunnison County. These employees received <br />• in excess of $1,700,000 in salaries and wages in 1980, making the Bear <br />Coal Company a valuable employer a]ong the North Fork of the Gunnison <br />River. <br />The Bear Coal Company enjoys a good relationship with its work force, <br />represented by the United Mine Workers of America ("UMWA") since 1965, <br />and has experienced no wildcat strikes which have been prevalent in <br />other mining districts of the United States. Bear Coal Company was the <br />first U.S. coal company ever to negotiate an independent UMWA contract <br />for an underground mine. <br />Most of the employees have been long-term residents of both Gunnison and <br />Delta Counties. Labor turnover is minimal at the mine and job <br />applications consistently exceed the employee work force. <br />The Bear Coal Company is sensitive to the socioeconomic impacts that <br />coal mining has on life in western Colorado. Coal mining has been going <br />• on for a long time in this area, and the Bear Coal Company would like to <br />5 <br />