Laserfiche WebLink
RULE 2 - PERMITS <br />remaining development. The sections will be a three entry system employing the proven geometry <br />of an abutment /yield pillar design. The rigid pillar will be 100 to 150 feet in width and 200 to 300 in <br />length. The yield pillar will be 55 to 60 feet in width and 100 to 150 feet in length. For the <br />development phase, mining depth will range from 100 feet at the portal to 1,600 feet near the end of <br />the sections. It is expected that four continuous miner sections will be developed, and the mains <br />will be extended to each section. The general underground mine workings layout relative to the <br />surface portal and sequencing is shown on Map 2.05.3 -M2, Mine Plan Map, Operations Timing. <br />Portal facilities construction is projected to occur in the first 1 -1/2 years. <br />Using a continuous mining method, the continuous miner cuts coal as it moves into the seam, <br />discharging the coal into shuttle cars. As each shuttle car is filled, the coal is transported to the <br />feeder - breaker. Coal is emptied into the feeder - breaker hopper, crushed, and discharged onto the <br />belt tailpiece. The section conveyor transports the coal to the mainline conveyor, which transports <br />the coal to the surface. Any significant quantities of rock material produced during mine <br />development will be loaded on the conveyor and transferred to the surface for separate handling as <br />waste rock. Prior to making each cut, a roofbolter installs roofbolts and supplementary roof support <br />according to the approved MSHA roof control plan and mine conditions. Overall coal recovery for <br />a continuous miner pillar section seldom exceeds 50 percent, due to the necessity of leaving pillars <br />to support the overlying strata. The proposed initial development will be limited to advance mining, <br />with no plan for retreat mining or pillar recovery. <br />The PSCM permit area encompasses an area of approximately 10,164 acres. Of this total, <br />approximately 355.8 acres will be affected by surface disturbance and facilities construction <br />incidental to PSCM underground mining activities. Given that initial development will be limited to <br />main entry and section development with no subsidence predicted. However, a worst case <br />subsidence scenario was developed and resulted in a 1264 acre potential affected area (see section <br />2.03.8 and Map 2.05.2 -M1, Mine Plan Map, and 2.05.6(6), Subsidence Survey, Monitoring, and <br />Control Plan). Mine disturbance areas incidental to underground mining activities will be identified <br />by post or markers, with the upper 1 -1.5 feet of the post painted red, for visibility, which will be <br />maintained until bond release per Rule 4.02.3. Annual production will be dictated by market <br />demand and is subject to yearly adjustments. During the initial permit term, all coal mined will <br />come from reserves that are either owned or leased by PSCM. Table 2.05.3 -T1, Production <br />Schedule Years 1 -5 shows anticipated production. <br />Labor Force - The anticipated PSCM labor force schedule is presented as Table 2.05.3 -T2, Labor <br />Force Schedule. Total employee numbers increase from an estimated six in Year 1, for initial <br />construction to approximately 195 in Year 5. <br />Table 2.05.3 -T1: Production Schedule <br />(000's toCns) <br />Year 1 * 2* 3 3/4 4/5 <br />Tons Produced 0 500 1,500 2,000 2,000 <br />* Years 1 & 2 are facilities construction. Some incidental coal <br />production may occur during construction. Year 2 is a partial <br />year of continuous miner coal production <br />TR -0,ff 2.05 -8 Revision 4/12 <br />1 <br />