2009-05-12_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A (11)

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West Elk Mine One of the components of the mine ventilation program is the Sylvester Gulch Fan. This facility is located in Sylvester Gulch, approximately one-half mile south of the mine facilities area. Information concerning the design and operation of the fan is contained in Exhibit 42. The Lone Pine Gulch Portals were situated approximately one (1) mile west of Somerset, Colorado, at an elevation of approximately 6,480 feet. The Lone Pine Fan Facility was constructed in 1995, accessing the B Seam, to serve West Elk Mine as the primary ventilation facility for the then completed Northwest Longwall Panels (Nos. 1-7); the Jumbo Mountain Longwall Panels (Nos. 8 and 9), and the Southern Longwall Panels (Nos. 12, 13, 13A). These 12 Longwall panels were isolated underground from the active workings, using explosion resistant seals, a~ld the entire area was abandoned. Watertight bulkheads were installed in each of the porta~s in 2001. The designs, portal profiles, and plan view of the bulkheads are shown on Drawing Noy. 42A--1, 42A-2, 42A-3 included in Exhibit 42A, in Volume 7 of the Permit Document. The Lone Pine fan. facility area was reclaimed in 2002 and 2003. In order to assure adequate mine ventilation for West Elk Mine's current and fuhrre mining areas, ventilation shafts (both with fans for ventilation air intake) were ~. instructed. Construction of the site for these large diameter intake shafts began during spring of 1997 and shaft sinking began in the fall of 1997. The ventilation fans and associated buildings, a nitrogen supply facility, mine ventilation air heaters, rock dust supply tank are also located on the Sylvester (Julch ventilation shafts bench. This ventilation facili . ~ is located approximately one half mile soutri of the Sylvester Gulch Fan (Map 53B). Information regarding the design, construction and operation of these ventilation facilities is contained in Exhibit 69. A third ventilation shaft (Vent Shaft #3) was constructed during the summer and fall of 1997. Vent Shaft #3 is a 10-foot finished diameter shaft located approximately 400 feet east of the electric borehole site (Map 53B). Information regarding the design, construction, and operation of the ventilation fac''.ity is contained in Exhibit 69. Degasification Site A degasification borehole is located approximately 225 feet west of the electric borehole site in Sylvester Gulch. It was constructed during the summer of 1997. This borehole is not currently operating. More recent installations of methane drainage facilities in Sylvester Gulch and adjacent areas, accommodates West Elk Mine's "in-mine" methane collection and transmission system. Methane gas, captured in the mine, is collected and transported in poly-pipe up Ventilation Shaft No. 3 and then vented and dispersed in the atmosphere. Some methane gas from the mine is used to heat mine ventilation air at Ventilation Shaft No. 1, in a system completed in 2003. 2.05-21 Rev. 06/05- PRIQ~ 01/06- PRIO; 03/06- PRl0; 04/06- PRIG, 05/06- PR10; 01/09- b4R-350; 04/09- TR 116: 04/09- MR353