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c . Rock tunnel project <br /> (1) Introduction <br /> The rock tunnel project is an important part <br /> of a program to provide improved access and haulage to coal <br /> reserves located west of the present underground workings . It <br /> will serve as the main artery of a centralized underground <br /> transportation system that will transport men and materials <br /> underground and coal to the surface. The completed length of the <br /> rock tunnel (actually an adit) from portal to the #1 Mine is <br /> 13, 000 feet and- to the #2 Mine is an additional 1800 feet for a <br /> total of 14, 800 feet . <br /> The present configuration of the mines in <br /> Coal Basin requires that the mined coal be elevated approximately <br /> 1,000 feet during transportation to the surface. From the <br /> surface portals located along the coal outcrop at an elevation of <br /> approximately 10, 000 feet the coal is then hauled in diesel <br /> trucks about four miles down the mountain to the preparation <br /> plant at approximately 8, 000 feet elevation. The expense of <br /> elevating the coal to the surface and trucking the coal down to <br /> the preparation plant are significant costs that will be greatly <br /> reduced by the rock tunnel. Other economies are also expected <br /> that, collectively, will increase the efficiency and productivity <br /> of the mining operations and serve to help offset the increasing <br /> costs of federal coal royalties, energy, fuel, labor, supplies, <br /> and rail transportation. <br /> The environmental aspects of the rock tunnel <br /> are very favorable. Several main haulage roads will be down- <br /> ag <br />