2012-01-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981022A

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Initially, the longwall mining s}stem was utilized to recover the Sanbom Creek B Seam reserves previously blocked out under existing approved mining plans. The initial longwall operations in the B Seam provided valuable experience and training for future longwall operations in the D Coal Seam reserves to the north and west, which will be accessed from the new Elk Creek Mine portals. Operation Description Early mining operations in the area are identified and discussed in Section 2.04.3, Site Description and Land Use Infom~ation. Recent operations within the Pemtit Area (post-1960) include the Somerset Mme, Sanbom Creek Mine, and the Elk Creek Mine. The Somerset Mine ceased production at the end of 1985. The portals to the mine have been sealed and no further mining is expected to [ake place from the Somerset Mine B and C Seam portals located in the Elk Creek drainage. Reclaimed or partially reclaimed facilities areas associated with the Somerset Mme are located in Bear and Hubbard Creek Canyons. Surface coal handling, support, and ancillary facilities for the Somerset Mine, originally established at the mouth of Elk Creek, have been modified and upgraded over the years to meet changing operational and regulatory requirements and continue to be used to support ongoing operations. The Sanbom Creek Mine ceased active mining operation in early 2003. Coal production was from the B Coal Seam using longwall rtrurutg methods. The Sanbom Creek Mine was supported by limited surface facilities located at the mouth of Sanbom Creek and north of the relocated railroad grade, including the mine portals, substation, and ventilation installations. By the time the Sanbom Creek Mine reserves were depleted, development of the first longwall panels in the Elk Creek Mine were complete so that the longwall system could be moved from the Sanbom Creek Mine to the Elk Creek Mine and longwall production from the Elk Creek Mme could be initiated with minunal delay. Sanbom Creek mine portals, substation, ventilation installations and beltline system have been removed and/or sealed and reclaimed. The Elk Creek Mine will access the D Coal Seam from portals located in the middle portion of the Elk Creek drainage. The Elk Creek Mine will be supported by limited surface facilities also located in the Elk Creek drainage near the D Seam subcrop including the mine portals, ventilation shafts and fan installations, a substation, and dewa[ering installations and surface water storage tank Initial development activities for the Elk Creek Mine will involve the use of continuous mining equipment to develop a system of main entries and to complete initial longwall panel development within the priva[e coal reserve block future development and mining would emend northward into the Federal coal reserves in the Elk Creek Tract lease. Longwall mining of the coal reserves will follow initial development. Future mining in the D Seam will involve the use of continuous methods for mine development and longwall mining as the dominant coal production method. There is the potential that additional limited ventilation, electrical distribution, and emergency access development could occur as mining operations progress to the west. OMLLC is aware that any such facilities and surface disturbances would be subject to additional permit approvals. The production rate for both the existing Elk Creek Mine is or will be governed by coal sales. The minunum production rate is about 500,000 tons per year with a maximum production rate of 7,000,000 tons per }'ear. The Elk Creek coal handling, support, and ancillary facilities continue to be used to support ongoing operations for the Elk Creek Mine. TR 50 2.05-2 Revised February 2005