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West Elk M ine <br />West Elk Mine's main portals are in the F Seam at an elevation of approximately 6,450 feet <br />AMSL in an area of covered slope and semi - consolidated slump debris. Additionally, access into <br />the mine is provided through the intake air shaft in Sylvester Gulch. Map 33 is a location map of <br />the portal entries. Map 53 also shows the location of the portals. Sloped entries within the mine <br />provide access from the F Seam down to the E and B Seams. <br />Table 32 <br />Pro ected Employment Needs at West Elk Mine for the Life of Mine <br />Coal Production <br />Total Employment <br />(millions of tons <br />per year rounded) <br />(number of pe rsons at ear -end) <br />Year <br />Actual <br />Projected <br />Actual <br />Projected <br />1997 <br />5.5 <br />-- <br />292 <br />- -- <br />1998 <br />5.9 <br />- -- <br />275 <br />- -- <br />1999 <br />7.0 <br />- -- <br />324 <br />-- <br />2000 <br />3.4 <br />- -- <br />398 <br />- -- <br />2001 <br />5.0 <br />- -- <br />359 <br />- -- <br />2002 <br />6.6 <br />- -- <br />363 <br />-- <br />2003 <br />6.5 <br />- -- <br />375 <br />- -- <br />2004 <br />6.6 <br />- -- <br />380 <br />-- <br />2005 <br />5.6 <br />- -- <br />425 <br />- -- <br />2006 <br />6.0 <br />- -- <br />430 <br />- -- <br />2007 <br />6.9 <br />- -- <br />433 <br />- -- <br />2008 <br />5.9 <br />- -- <br />433 <br />2009-2010 <br />- -- <br />6.0-6.5 <br />- -- <br />430 <br />2011-2018 <br />- -- <br />7.0 <br />- -- <br />430 <br />In all portal excavations, the material removed before reaching the F Seam is colluvium consisting <br />of weathered debris, mainly sandstone blocks and clay. To assure stability in the main portal <br />area, these colluvial materials were excavated and a concrete retaining wall was installed (Map <br />33). Logs of drill holes in the portal area are shown on the cross - sections shown in Exhibit 15. <br />The main surface facilities consist of sediment control structures, coal handling facilities, support <br />facilities for mine operations, and other related facilities. Support facilities for mine operations <br />include the offices, maintenance shops, warehouses, and bathhouse. Other related facilities <br />include coal refuse disposal sites, equipment and material storage areas, and the mine ventilation <br />fans. The surface facilities in Sylvester Gulch include but ai•e not limited to mine ventilation <br />shafts and fans, a substation, powerlines, electric mine borehole, nitrogen supply and methane <br />drainage facilities, rock dust storage, mine water and sediment ponds and control structures, <br />compressed air and other support facilities. Sediment control structures and coal handling <br />facilities are described below in Sections 2.05.3(4) and 2.05.3(7), respectively. Waste handling <br />facilities are discussed in Sections 2.05.3(6), 2.05.3(8), and 2.05.3(9). The main support <br />facilities for mine operation are described in this section. <br />General Construction Procedures <br />All work at West Elk Mine is conducted according to Federal and State water pollution laws, land <br />reclamation statutes and regulations, and construction safety standards. Construction activities are <br />2.05 -16 Rev. 06105. 01106. 03106. 04106 & 05106- PR10; 01109- MR350; 04109- TR116; 04109- MR353; 05109- MR354; 08109- TRIM: <br />08109- TRI19 <br />