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GVest E[k Mine <br />• 2.05.3 Operation Plan -Permit Area <br />(1) Production Methods and Equipment <br />The production methods and equipment in use at West Elk Mine aze described above in Section <br />2.05.2. <br />(21 Operation Description <br />MCC plans to mine two coal seams; the B and E Seams. Longwall mining operations will <br />continue in the B Seam during the current permit term. Longwall development in the E Seam was <br />be initiated in late 2004, with longwall mining of the E Seam projected to begin in 2008. <br />F Seam <br />After mining operations in the B Seam were fully operational, MCC discontinued mining in the F- <br />Seam. Map 50 shows where MCC has mined in the F Seam to date. MCC currently has no plans <br />for further mining of the F Seam. <br />E Seam <br />Mining plans for the E Seam aze presented on Map 51. Development mining began in 20(14. A <br />. description of E-Seam mining plans is presented in Exhibit 60 B and Section 2.05.6(6)(e}(i), Subsidence <br />Prediction, 2.05.6(6)(e)(i)(A) Brief Description of Mining Method, South of Divide Mining Area. <br />B Seam <br />Mining of the B Seam will continue during the current permit term. Map 52 shows Mountain <br />Coal Company's plans for mining the B Seam within the pernut area. The map includes the Federal <br />Leases and Fee leases to be mined. <br />Manpower Requirements <br />Existing and projected manpower requirements aze shown in Table 32 for the permit term. <br />Projected manpower requirements are based on projected production levels to fulfill existing <br />and anticipated contracted coal sales. These projected requirements are subject to change for <br />various reasons. New contracts may require revisions to the figures. <br />(3) Mine Facilities <br />West Elk Mine's major surface facilities are located 1 mile east of the town of Somerset, Colorado, <br />and just south of State Highway 133. Access to the mine is through the F Seam, with the F Seam <br />portals at an elevation of approximately 6,450 feet AMSL in an area of covered slope and semi- <br />consolidated slump debris. Additionally, access is provided through the intake air shaft in Sylvester <br />Gulch. Exhibit 15 is cross-sections along the portal entry to the subcrop of the F Seam. Map 33 is a <br />location map of the portal entries. Map 53 also shows the location of the portals. Slopes within the <br />2.05-1 S Revised June 2005 PRIG; Rev. January 2006; Rev. Marcl, 1006; Rev. Apri12006 PRIG, May 2006 PRlO <br />