Laserfiche WebLink
the working faces. Air movement in the mine begins at the mine fan <br />• located on i:he surface, where Northfield plans to use a large axial vane <br />fan to exhaust air from the mine via a shaft opening. The fan causes <br />air to enter the main intake portal then move through the intake <br />airways where it is controlled and directed to working areas by the <br />above desciribed ventilation devices. The mine ventilation system will <br />be designed and maintained to control coal dust and any methane gas <br />which may be present and to provide sufficient fresh air to maintain a <br />healthy working environment. Prior to mining, Northfield will require <br />MSHA approval of a Ventilation Plan which provides all information <br />regarding the use, control, and maintenance of ventilation devices <br />throughout the mine to control and eliminate mine gasses, equipment <br />exhaust, and coal dust. <br />Mine drainage and dewatering will be an integral part of mining <br />operations <jnd mine maintenance. According to the Report on <br />Hydrology (Exhibit K), predicted mine inflow quantities are highly <br />variable anti will likely be influenced by the specific location of mine <br />workings ar~d rate of development. Generally, any inflows will subside <br />over-time as flows from any- hydraulic connections to groundwater <br />sources decline due to localized depletion and/or sealing of the mine <br />induced fractures by sediment deposition and expansion of rock strata <br />• with attendant high clay content. Northfield will control mine inflows by <br />utilizing a sf~ries of sumps, submersible pumps, and water lines to <br />transfer wager from active workings to the surface. On the surface, all <br />water will be treated by passing through the proposed sediment pond <br />prior to discharging to surface stream system. <br />Operation Description <br />Development work for the Northfield Mine will commence during the <br />first permit 1term to establish surface openings to the coal, construction <br />of surface fcicilities, and eventual production and sales of coal. <br />Significant activities planned for the first permit term to begin coal <br />production include the following: <br />- Establish initial road system into facility area <br />- Establish necessary initial drainage and sediment control <br />structures <br />- Recover topsoil from initial mine disturbance areas <br />- Construct face-up area for decline portal area <br />- DevE:lop decline through rock to intercept coal seam, including <br />initial installation of portal track system and slope conveyor <br />- Development of portal connection to base of shaft <br />• -Drill ventilation shaft and install mine fan <br />- Cut and fill, compaction, -and grading of mine yard and facility <br />2.05.3-7 Revised 5/0]./07 <br />