Laserfiche WebLink
0 (1) Production Methods and Equipment <br />The New Elk Mine is a typical underground coal mining operation with access to the <br />Allen seam through a set of incline slopes driven from the surface to the coal seam. <br />Ventilation is provided by two return air fans located at the East Portal and West <br />Portal air shafts, two intake air shafts located in Apache Canyon, and four access <br />slopes, two at the East Portal and two at the West Portal. Development of the Allen <br />Seam will resume using continuous mining methods depending upon the types of <br />equipment available. Coal extraction will be achieved using room and pillar mining. <br />Production levels are dependent on market demand. Increased production will <br />mandate re-establishing rail transportation to the mine site. <br />The major mining equipment used at the New Elk mine is listed in Table 18 Mining <br />Equipment List. Surface facilities associated with the underground operation consist <br />of facilities necessary for the production and loading of coal into truck and rail cars <br />for transport. Ancillary facilities consist of shops, warehouses, administrative <br />buildings, and bathhouse. Operational facilities included ventilation shafts, <br />ventilation fans, escapeways, and production and supply slopes to access the Allen <br />seam. Control of surface water in the surface facilities area is provided by ditching <br />and drop structures to sediment control structures for holding runoff for settlement <br />and/or treatment prior to discharge. Mine water is provided through small dams and <br />pump stations located adjacent to the Purgatoire River. Waste water treatment is <br />provided by septic tanks and by a sewage treatment plant. <br />TABLE 18 MINING EQUIPMENT LIST <br />Continuous Miners Feeder Breakers <br />Roof Bolters Belt Drives and Associated Equipment <br />Shuttle Cars Rock Dust Equipment <br />Man Trips Supply Locomotives and Cars <br />Electric and Diesel Powered Scoops Maintenance Vehicles <br />Auxiliary Fans Excavator and Backhoes <br />Track and Rubber Tired Dozers Front End Loaders <br />Roads are required to provide access to the surface facilities of the mine. These roads <br />include employee access and service maintenance roads to associated water storage <br />tanks, pumping stations, ventilation fans, supply yards and refuse disposal area. A <br />coal haulage road is employed in the transport of coal from the coal processing and <br />storage area to State Highway 12. <br />(2) Operation Description <br />The aerial extent of existing underground mine workings in the Allen seam is shown <br />on Map 22 Mine Progress Map. Future mining is dependent on the successful <br />40 reentry and recovery of the New Elk mine, and is subject to conditions encountered. <br />Upon completion of the recovery process, the projected extent of future underground <br />TR-50 Page 2.05-2 Revised 3/28/09