Laserfiche WebLink
14. Please provide an F-sears: contour structure map. <br />Response: A Bottom Structure Map - F-Seam (Map 9A) has been generated from old mapping data and <br />is included with this response submittal for insertion in the PAP. <br />I5. Please submit, as an exhibit of your bond release application, a map that superimposes surface <br />cracks and other subsidence features, H-sewn workings, F-sewn workings, significant and <br />recognizable surface features (roads, railroads, etc.), and structural contours of the F-seam (irz the <br />areas of F-Seam workings) for area of the W'/z Sec 31 T6N R91 and an equivalent area (1/2 Section <br />in size) contiguous to the west (R92W). Please keep the scale of the drawing larger than 1 inch <br />equals Z50 feet. Please color code the above features. <br />Response: The requested map is not required, either as part of a bond release application or a mine <br />permit application, however with the exception of mapping of surface subsidence features (not required <br />under the approved permit), the identified information is generally available from existing information <br />provided in the PAP, as follows: <br />Map 4, Abandoned/Active Mines <br />Map 9, Overburden Isopach - "F' Coal Seam <br />Map 9A, Bottom Structure Map - F-Seam (New) <br />Map 22, Life-of-Mine Plan <br />Map 23, No. 5 Mine Plan <br />Map 24, No. 6 Mine Plan <br />Map 25, Structures and Renewable Resources <br />Map 30, Subsidence <br />16. Please provide the initiation and drawdown elevations of the Seven North Angle Pump and the No. <br />S Mine Pump, and tine divide (spill point) elevation for hydraulic communication between the F and <br />underlying E seam workings. <br />The purposes of items 14 and IS are to illustrate the spatial relationships beriveen the subsidence <br />features, H-Seam workings, and the F-Seam workings, and to determi~ae if areas of F-Seam workings <br />located near or under subsidence features are (or were) subject to alternate flooding and <br />dewatering. <br />Response: Please refer to the previous response to Comment 12. Based on hydrologic monitoring <br />records, the water level variation between initiation and cessation of pumping operations is roughly 30 <br />feet. Given that pumping is initiated when groundwater levels reach an elevation of approximately 5,800' <br />amsl, areas directly affected by dewatering (ie: alternate wetting and drying) generally fall between 5,770' <br />and 5,800' amsl. These areas are well below the abandoned mine workings in the proposed liability <br />release area. There is not a fixed elevation that correlates to the hydraulic connection between the E- and <br />the F-Seams, given that both dip to the northeast, there is some variability in both structure and <br />interburden thickness, and that hydraulic connections include natural fracturing, inter-connected spoils, <br />subsidence fractures, open mine workings, and drainage boreholes. <br />17. A Denver Post newspaper article, published February 3, 2005, stated that Peabody Energy Corp., <br />RAG-EC/BTU-Empire's parent company, "is evaluating whether to reopen the long-slauttered Empire <br />Mine. " Is RAG-EC/BTU-Empire planning to re-open the Eagle Mine Complex in the near future? !f <br />sq what is the projected time frame for re-opening the mine? <br />Liability Release Response - No. 3 1 12/07/05 <br />