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RULE 2 - PERMITS <br />2.05.3 Operation Plan — Permit Area <br />The following sub - sections describe specific mine operation, production, and sequencing <br />considerations for the proposed PSCM. The objectives of the overall operation plan are to <br />maximize resource recovery and optimize production economics, while operating in a safe and <br />environmentally responsible manner. These operating plans have been developed using information <br />presented in Section 2.04, Information on Environmental Resources, and reflect site specific <br />environmental and operational conditions and constraints. These plans provide a basis for <br />understanding and evaluation of potential mining- related impacts and development of appropriate <br />plans for conservation of resources and control or mitigation of potential impacts. <br />This section provides detailed descriptions of the proposed mining operations, and surface facility <br />construction, operation, and maintenance plans. This information is based on knowledge gained <br />from operation of the Foidel Creek Mine, and SCCC's plans for future mine development. To the <br />extent possible, SCCC has incorporated ongoing advances in mining methods and technology, in <br />order to optimize production economics and minimize potential mining- related impacts. <br />Compliance with Environmental Protection Performance Standards <br />In order to avoid redundancy and to provide a comprehensive description of mine operating plans, <br />the descriptions presented in this section are structured to address and include appropriate <br />references to supporting materials and applicable provisions of Rule 4.0, Performance Standards. <br />Production Methods and Equipment <br />An oval pit, covering an area. of approximately 13 acres, will be excavated to a depth of <br />approximately 100 feet, to expose the Wadge seam and create a mine face -up area. Development of <br />the mine face -up area will involve recovery and stockpiling of available soil materials, and <br />excavation of approximately 670,000 bank cubic yards of overburden material, with placement of <br />the excavated material in a designed fills which will be developed as the coal stockpile and facilities <br />pads. During the construction phase the fill material will be installed to several compaction <br />specifications, typically 90% to 95 %, resulting in an overall swell factor of approximately 20 %. <br />Blasting will be required during excavation. Supplemental ground support, consisting of bolted <br />wire mesh, will be installed in the face -up area to provide long -term support above the mine portals. <br />The face -up area will be accessed from the existing Seneca II Mine haulroad, and an access ramp <br />will be extended from the haulroad into the pit during excavation. The location and configuration <br />of the southern surface disturbance area containing the face -up area, roads, and stockpiles are <br />shown on Map 2.05.3 -M1A, Mine Facilities Map (South End). Support facilities located at the <br />northern end of the surface disturbance area are presented in Map 2.05.3 -M1B, Mine Facilities Map <br />(North End). <br />Four portal entries will be developed in the face -up area to provide access to the coal seam. The <br />four entries will be advanced approximately 900 feet into the coal seam, where they will be <br />expanded up to seven entries and turned to the north and south as soon as mining and ground <br />conditions allow. Entry width will be approximately 20 feet. The Wadge Seam varies in height <br />from 8 - 11 feet, and mine entries will mine the full seam height. The mains are projected to be <br />driven northwest and southeast across the dip of the coal seam. Continuous miner sections will be <br />developed off the mains, slightly down dip. The sections will consist of four entries at the neck, to <br />facilitate initial ventilation and access. The sections will then neck down to three entries for the <br />TR -01 -10 2.05 -7 Revision 02/11 <br />