2011-09-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981012A ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1981012A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/29/2011
• Section_Exhibit Name: Section 2.05 Operation and Reclamation Plan
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

(1) Operation Description
The aerial extent of existing underground mine workings in the Allen Seam is shown on
Map 22 Mine Progress Map. Surface facilities associated with the underground mining are
shown on Maps 11 Sheets 1 -3 and 12. Future mining is subject to conditions encountered.
Mining is currently planned for 2011 within the area bounded by the permit boundary as
shown on Map 3. Mining for 2012 -2015 is anticipated to occur as shown on Figure 2.
Mining will occur in either the Allen or Apache Seams but not both. The permit expansion
under PR02 adds 2,567.9 acres to the permit boundary and 1,465 acres to the affected area.
Continued development and operations of the New Elk Mine within the lease area will
require additional permit revisions to complete full recovery of the coal reserve. Minor
additional surface disturbance may be associated with the continued operation of the mine.
This surface disturbance, if required, will provide for ventilation and escapeways as
development progresses away from the main portal area to maintain continued production
and safe working conditions.
2.05.3 Operation Plan— Permit Area
The planned underground workings are show on Map 3 2011 Mine Plan. The generalized
stratigraphy of the Allen Seam mining area is shown on Figure 1. The mine was temporarily
closed and sealed in 1989. Dewatering ceased and the lower areas of the mine were
gradually flooded.
Phase I of resuming operations required remotely pumping mine water from the East Portal
airshaft and other boreholes using surface - powered pumps. Approvals for this process were
granted in 2008 and dewatering started in December of 2008. Phase H reestablishes mine
ventilation by breaching temporary seals at the East and West Portals and Apache Canyon,
and reinstallation of fans at the East Portal and West Portal airshafts. Phase III is the
development of entries to establish ventilation at the Apache Seam level. Phase IV is the
active mining of coal.
The planned development of mains and panels will occur as shown on Map 3 2011 Mine
Plan and detailed on Figure 19 in section 2.05.6. Development of main access entries north
and south of the portals will begin upon completion of the connection to the East Portal air
shaft. Mining in the Allen Seam will advance north and east of the slopes. Mains will be
developed north off the slope bottom ramping down to the Allen Seam after crossing over
old Allen works. The mains will be extended through the Allen Seam to the east and north.
Panels will be driven off the mains. The mining panels north of the mains include three
panels to the east and one panel to the west. The Allen Seam mining north of the mains is
development only, no pillar recovery is planned. One panel is planned in the Allen Seam
south of the mains. Pillaring is planned outside of the subsidence protection zone in that
panel. Simultaneously, access entries will be developed south and east in the Apache Seam.
The mains are development only with no pillaring. Panels will be developed off the mains to
the north, east and west. Pillaring is planned outside of the subsidence protection zone in the
panels.
Maximum production rates in clean coal tons are expected to reach nearly 1,000,000 tons in
2011. The production estimates are dependent on demand and system capacity and may be
adjusted to economic conditions in the coal industry. In the early years, coal will be trucked
to the Jansen Yard loadout for transfer to rail. Clean coal production greater than 1.2 million
tons annually is expected to facilitate re- establishing rail transportation to the mine site.
PR -02 Page 2.05 -3 Revised 8/2011