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EASTERN MINING DISTRICT
<br />The EMD added approximately 7,690 acres to the permit area, and approximately 2,630 acres to the affected area
<br />acreage. The additional acreage (beyond the affected area) was added to square up the Permit Area and
<br />accommodate future panels to the north of the EMD. The mining schedule for the EMD and other current and
<br />future reserve areas is provided on Map 23, Mine Plan. The existing portals and main entries (15` and 2°d North
<br />Mains) were used to access the EMD. An additional eastern portal was developed to facilitate mining in this
<br />district by breaking the existing No. 2 Entry out to the surface, in parallel with the existing mine portals.
<br />During the initial five-year permit term (1993 - 1998), mining continued in the SWMD and extended into
<br />Gateroads 5-Right to 10-Right, the associated sub-main, the North Mains, and Longwall Panels 7-Right through 9-
<br />Right. The remaining five-year blocks are shown on Map 23. Surface ownership for the Eastern and Northern
<br />Mining Districts is shown on Map 1, Surface Ownership, which shows the location of parcels overlying the mine
<br />workings owned by various companies, individuals, or governmental entities.
<br />The gateroads in the EMD consist of three entries, typically driven on 100-foot centers, although the location of the
<br />entry may vary depending upon ground control requirements as reflected in pillar widths between the entries.
<br />Including the three 20-foot wide entries and 35 to 155 foot wide pillars, the gateroads are approximately 230 feet in
<br />width. Cross-cuts were developed on both 100 and 200 foot centers along the length of the entry, except in the
<br />vicinity of the start and stop rooms, where cross-cut spacing is reduced. The sub-mains have up to six entries,
<br />driven on 100-foot centers. As previously stated, the sub-mains driven off the north mains were constructed with
<br />up to seven entries, plus a sump. Once the sub-mains were driven to the southeast, up to six entries were
<br />established. The longwall panels in the EMD have an 850-foot face and vary in length from approximately 10,000
<br />feet to 17,000 feet. Panels 7-Right, 8-Right, and 9-Right exceed 16,000 feet, and the remainder of the panels are
<br />approximately 16,000 feet or less. The mine layout is shown on Map 23, Mine Plan.
<br />1 As shown on Map 23, 10-Right and 9-Right are the northernmost gateroad and panel, respectively. The gateroads
<br />and panels in the EMD were mined in a southerly direction, allowing for gravity drainage away from the active
<br />panels. Mining of Panels 8-Right and 9-Right, in the initial five-year permit term, resulted in undermining of Routt
<br />County Road 33, powerlines, telephone-lines, Foidel and Middle Creeks, and the Union Pacific railroad spur
<br />servicing the mine. Undermining of the noted structures/features is discussed in more detail under Rule 2.05.6(6).
<br />During subsequent five-year permit terms, mining will occur beneath privately-owned structures, and Foidel and
<br />Fish Creeks, as shown on Map 23B, Structures and Renewable Resource.
<br />EMD (Panels 2-Right through 6-Right) (PR97-04)
<br />The mining for the remainder of the EMD included areas previously discussed in Permit Revision PR93-03. The
<br />area mined in this five-year permit term are shown and designated by color-coding on Map 23, Mine Plan. The
<br />mining layout, i.e. panel widths, gateroad dimensions, and cross-cuts, is essentially the same as described in the
<br />PR93-03 submittal, except that dimensions may vary based upon mining conditions encountered in the new area,
<br />and sumps and ventilation dog legs were established as and where needed. Also, the barrier width or location
<br />between entries in the northeast may vary based upon mining or geologic constraints.
<br />During the five-year term, longwall mining was conducted under Routt County Road 33, powerlines, Foidel, and
<br />Middle Creeks, the Union Pacific Railroad (Energy Spur), and private residences, owned by the Ashley family. A
<br />more detailed discussion of provisions for undermining these structures is presented under Rule 2.05.6(6).
<br />TR08-64 2.05-15 06/17/08
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