2010-05-07_PERMIT FILE - C2006085 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C2006085
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 5/7/2010
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05 Operation and Reclamation Plans
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Topsoil recovery will involve removing all available topsoil to the extent
operationally feasible utilizing a combination of tractor - scrapers and
tracked dozers in combination with wheel - loaders and trucks. Depth of
cut during topsoil recovery operations will be determined by visual
observation of color and other identifiable soil characteristics by
equipment operators and foremen who are familiar with soil recovery
and segregation operations.
Overburden
Coal mining and related operations at the Northfield Mine will be
restricted to underground mining, product sizing, storage, and
shipment of coal mined by room and pillar methods. Northfield does
not plan to conduct any surface mining operations involving removal of
overburden in order to extract coal.
In conjunction with the construction and installation of the mine
facilities and initial portal development, Northfield will establish a
portal bench and face -up area entailing limited cut and fill earthwork
operations. Excavated overburden material from bench cut area and
the - portal - face -up -area will be utilized as fill for the bench comprising
the mine facilities area. Construction of the facilities bench area will
include cutting overburden from the west side of the bench area, then
placing and compacting the material on the east side of the facility
area as fill.
Establishing the mine bench will generally proceed in two construction
phases. Prior to excavation of the slope and shafts, Northfield
anticipates constructing a portion of the bench sufficient to provide a
staging area to establish the portal structure along with adjacent
equipment working and support areas necessary for excavation of the
slope. Adjacent areas will also be prepared for placement and testing
of the excavation material as fill as it is mined from the slope. The final
construction phase of bench construction will coincide with completing
excavation the mine ventilation shafts and placement of the material in
the bench fill.
Northfield Mine development activities to access the coal seam will
produce excavation material during construction of the slope and
shafts. The excavation material will be generated only at the time of
constructing the slope and shafts, during approximately the first year
of mine development. Development material will first be produced
during excavation of the slope into the coal seam. Limited entry
development in coal will follow to establish access to the bottom of the
shaft locations. Shaft development will immediately follow utilizing a
raise boring machine that will produce additional excavation material.
2.05.3 -28 Revised 12/04/09, TR -01