2008-04-22_PERMIT FILE - C1981017 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1981017
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 4/22/2008
• Doc Name: Coal Basin Operations 1956-1987
• Section_Exhibit Name: Chapter II-B Appendix II-B-2
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

App. II-B-2
in mining technology has the mine life continued into the third decade.
Mid-Continent introduced longwall mining in 1981 in order to continue operations
under the extreme depth of cover which overlies all the remaining coal reserves.
Until 1987, when the Adit/Rock Tunnel was extended to both the B-bed and the
Middle-bed coal seams, allowing major changes in the underground operations, the
main entry through each portal was the major transportation artery for each mine,
and the mines were not connected.
Machinery, parts and personnel entered each mine through the portal; the coal was
transported from the working area to the surface through the portal.
The steep terrain at all the portal areas also made the portal yards virtually the only
place for storage of coal, materials and supplies, and for trash disposal, and for the
necessary support facilities, such as fans and the hoist.
The Adit/Rock Tunnel has not yet been extended to the workings of Nos. 3, 4 and 5,
although these areas are inactive at the time of permit submittal (1987). If these
workings are re-activated prior to completion of the Adit/Rock Tunnel, the
operations will utilize main entries, portals and haul roads as previously.
4. Operations -Surface.
The haul roads offer the only surface access to the portals. Prior to extension of the
tunnel to Nos. 1 and 2, the only means to transport coal from the mines has been
down the haul roads.
Coal haulage through the portal required that mountain trucks pick up the coal from
the portal yard and transport it down the haul roads to raw coal storage. Mountain
trucks have made a steady, continuous circuit up and down the roads over the
three decades of operations.
To reach the mines through the portals, employees were bussed up the haul roads
to the portal yards, unloaded, and then carried underground through the main entry
on mantrips. All machinery parts and materials followed the same route.
Because of the elevation and terrain, maintaining access to the portals has been a
primary, but often difficult, operating requirement. Heavy snow and avalanches must
be cleared from the roads regularly throughout the long winter months. The roads
must also be maintained against the natural tendency of the terrain to slough.
5. Coal Refuse.
•
3
;. _ ~... _ ,. ,.:.. _ ~ t, a , .. v ~.. _ -- ..._ . _ ~. _. ~~ :.,~~ir.. _ ~ _ ,.,... a ,._,~o~.-