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Revised 11/85 <br />• Complete extraction of the C Seam will eliminate the sinkhole type <br />subsidence commonly found in room and pillar mining which does not <br />employ pillar extraction. Eliminating sinkhole type subsidence will <br />further ensure the continuity of the E and F Seams above the C Seam and <br />promote mining of the E and F Seams in the future. <br />By utilizing the portals of the abandoned Edwards Mine, the Bear Coal <br />Company proposes increased recovery of reserves and minimal surface <br />disturbance. The main entries will be oriented perpendicular to the <br />seam outcrop with the panels oriented parallel or perpendicular to the <br />property boundaries. This orientation, as shown on the Mine Plan Map <br />(Map 9), will result in the optimum recovery of reserves of the C Coal <br />Seam during the coal extraction process. <br />The main entries will run parallel to one another and will be separated <br />by blocks of coal called pillars. The drift entries will begin with a <br />limited number of portal entries then expand to 5, 6 or 7 main entry <br />• systems, in order to improve mining and ventilation. The main pillars <br />which separate these entries will be designed to provide support over <br />the life of the mining of the C Coal Seam; they are projected at 70-foot <br />centers. The width of the mine openings will be kept at approximately <br />18-feet throughout mining operations. The main entries will serve as <br />the lifeline of the mining operation, providing access for the supplies, <br />water piping, haulage, power, ventilation and support services. <br />Mining panels will be developed blocks of coal which can be mined by <br />room and pillar techniques utilizing continuous miners. The panels are <br />located adjacent to the main entries and oriented perpendicular or <br />parallel to the mine property boundaries. Before mining can begin, the <br />mining panel must be completely developed on each side by panel and <br />bleeder entries. <br />The projected dimensions of the mining panels will vary. Economic and <br />. physical considerations have determined the orientation of the proposed <br />panels. All mining panels will be recovered in a retreating fashion <br />once they are developed. Panels will be mined in sequence as designated <br />on the Mine Plan Map (Map 9). <br />-18- <br />