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several outside groups to evaluate the potential for restarting the <br /> mine. Description of both the operation and reclamation plan can <br /> be found in Section 2 . 05 .3 of Volume 1 and Section 2 . 05 . 4 of Volume <br /> 2 respectively, in the permit application. A brief description of <br /> each follows . <br /> Operation Plan <br /> Coal is mined, washed, stockpiled and then trucked from the mine <br /> site to market. Coal mine waste is disposed of in a permitted <br /> refuse pile located at the mine site. <br /> Coal is mined by the room and pillar method, using continuous <br /> miners . Coal is transported from the working sections of the mine <br /> to the surface by a belt conveyor, and then dumped in a raw coal <br /> stockpile. Raw coal is sized, crushed and cleaned by gravity <br /> separation in the preparation plant at the mine site. A belt press <br /> is then used to dry the coal prior to transferring the coal to <br /> stockpiles where it is eventually trucked off site. <br /> Reclamation Plan <br /> Following cessation of mining operations at the Southfield Mine, <br /> the site will be reclaimed in accordance with the reclamation plan <br /> found in the permit document . All support facilities will be <br /> removed from the site or buried on site. The portals will be <br /> sealed and the area will then be graded so as to return it to <br /> approximate original contour. All ponds and diversions will be <br /> removed except the refuse pile ditches, which are to be retained as <br /> permanent features . With the approval of TR15, designs have been <br /> submitted, reviewed and approved to allow the Magpie Creek <br /> diversion to be permanent. The disturbed areas will be covered <br /> with topsoil and seeded and mulched so as to establish a diverse <br /> self-perpetuating stand of vegetation. <br /> Coal Refuse Permanent Stockpile <br /> Coal preparation results in coarse and fine coal refuse which is <br /> placed in a permitted permanent stockpile located on the mine site. <br /> Design capacity for the pile is approximately 3 . 8 million cubic <br /> yards, with approximately 3 . 5 million cubic yards utilized at <br /> present. Geotechnical stability analysis was conducted in 1981 by <br /> the original permittee, Dorchester Coal, Inc . The report can be <br /> found in Exhibit 18 of the permit application. In addition, an <br /> analysis of soil suitability for growth medium and revegetation <br /> success was conducted in 1988 (see Exhibit 9 of the permit <br /> Southfield Mine Permit Renewal 03 <br /> 22 <br />