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certification and quarterly inspection for this pile was performed on April 16, 2008. The disturbed <br />acreage also includes a reclaimed emergency drill pad site and associated light use road that was <br />constructed on the North Fork of Munger Creek in December 2005, and reclaimed in the winter <br />and spring of 2006. <br />Coal is mined underground using room and pillar techniques. Prior to 1991, a total of 526,666 <br />tons of coal had been produced at the mine. 193,954 tons were produced in 1991, and 7,913 tons <br />were produced in 1992. No ' coal was produced in 1993 through 1996. 49,115 tons were <br />produced in 1997. The operation was idle during 1998 and most of 1999. The mine was re- <br />activated in the 4th quarter of 1999, and coal production was re-initiated in February 2000. Coal <br />production in calendar 2000 was 305,332 tons, with annual production ranging between 199,650 <br />and 327,000 tons in subsequent years through 2010. The mine shut down their operations in <br />December of 2010 and went into temporary cessation February, 2011. The operation has <br />remained idle. When in full operation, maximum projected annual coal production is 500,000 <br />tons, with a projected annual production of 300,000 to 500,000 tons. <br />Coal is mined at the exposed face by a continuous miner. The mined coal is then shuttled to a <br />conveyor which transports the coal to the surface. The coal is then crushed, stockpiled, and loaded <br />into highway trucks for delivery. <br />When mining ceases permanently, the portals will be sealed and backfilled. The sediment pond, <br />haul road sections and office area will be graded to approximate original contour (AOC), and <br />drainages will be reestablished. The operator was granted a variance from AOC for the mine bench <br />area, to allow for backfilled slopes of lesser gradient than existed prior to mining. The backfilled <br />slopes will be stable and will support the approved postmining land use. The mine highwall will <br />be completely backfilled, with the natural sandstone outcrop that forms a near vertical face above <br />the portals to remain undisturbed. Topsoil or other suitable plant growth material will be spread on <br />graded areas, and the site will be seeded and mulched to establish vegetative cover of a variety <br />consistent with surrounding naturally occurring vegetation. <br />9