Laserfiche WebLink
Key mining and related activities occurring during 2010 included: <br />? Completion of the 18-Left Mine Water Transfer Pipeline <br />? Ongoing development and longwall mining operations in the Western Mining District <br />? Completion of foundation preparation and road and drainage construction, and initiation of refuse <br />placement in the Coal Refuse Disposal Expansion Area <br />? Completion and initiation of operation of the Mine Security Installation <br />? A change in the mine operator designation from Twentymile Coal Company to Twentymile Coal, LLC <br />? Installation of the 6-Right Thickener Underflow Borehole and Pipeline (work is ongoing on pipeline <br />installation) <br />? Installation of the Replacement Thickener Underflow Borehole <br />? Completion of the Northwest Mains Rock-Dust Installation <br />? Completion of the 18-Left Utility Boreholes <br />? Reclamation of the 9-Right and 18-Right Ventilation Shaft sites <br />? Replacement of the outlet structures for Sedimentation Pond E and the Fish Creek Tipple Pond <br />? Completion of one full year of meteorological monitoring <br />? Submittal of required information for self-bonding <br />During late-November and early-December 2009, the support facilities at the 18-Right Shaft and EMD Fan <br />location were disassembled for use elsewhere on the mine-site, and the shafts were sealed and partially <br />backfilled. Final grading, soil replacement, and revegetation of these areas were completed during 2010. <br />Grading, stream restoration, and permanent reclamation seeding were completed for approximately 7.5 acres of <br />disturbance associated with the 18-Left Mine Water Transfer Pipeline. No other backfilling, grading, or topsoil <br />replacement occurred during 2010. There are several areas on the attached "2010 Annual Reclamation Report <br />Disturbed Acreage" summary that are identified as "Reclaimed". These areas have previously been regraded <br />and stabilized with vegetation, however, TCC has not pursued bond release for these areas due to the potential <br />for re-disturbance in conjunction with required access and site maintenance activities. <br />During 2010, TC planted approximately 30 trees at the 18-Left Shaft Installation to provide vegetative screening <br />for aesthetic purposes. TC also completed fence repairs/replacement at the Fish Creek Water Treatment Facility <br />and replaced all Permit Area signs with new signs reflecting the change in operator designation. Under our <br />ongoing noxious weed control program, TC completed noxious weed control spraying for both active and bond- <br />released areas (approximately 100 acres), consistent with the approved Noxious Weed Control Plan (MR06- <br />206). Areas sprayed for weeds are shown on the 2010 Annual Reclamation Map. A spring spraying program <br />(May-June) focused on control of white-top (hoary cress) houndstongue, and knapweed, using 2,41) and Escort. <br />The fall spraying program (September-October) focused on control of thistle, any residual weeds, and toadflax, <br />which had previously been found on the site only as small, isolated occurrences, using 2,41) in combination with <br />Mirage, Tordon, or Banvel. Spraying was also conducted during the spring, within and around substations and <br />conveyors using G1yStar + (a generic Roundup substitute) to eliminate all vegetation, as a fire-safety and MSHA <br />consideration. As part of our ongoing land management programs. TCC also conducted managed livestock <br />grazing activities (approximately 2,400 steers) on the bond-released areas. <br />Permit approvals during 2010 resulted in an increase in the calculated reclamation liability and surety coverage <br />of $117,782, to a total of $9,776,603, at year-end, summarized as follows: <br />TR09-70, 18-Left Mine Water Transfer Pipeline ($101,723) <br />TR09-71, Western Mining District Development and Longwall Mining Mods ($0) <br />TR10-72, Coal Refuse Disposal Area Drainage Modifications ($0) <br />TR10-73, 19-Right Mine Dewatering Installation ($48,986) <br />TRIO-74, 18-Left Mine Water Transfer Pipeline Acreage Adjustment (-$88,333) <br />TR10-75, Security Installation Drainage Modifications ($690) <br />TRIO-76, Ditch G-6 Extension ($703) <br />MR 10-241, Operator Name Change ($0) <br />MR10-242, 6-Right Temporary Thickener Underflow Pipeline ($0) <br />MR10-243, Replacement Thickener Underflow Borehole ($1,938)