1981-11-13_PERMIT FILE - C1981013 (24)

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Revised 11/15/81 2.05 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR SURFACE OR UNDERGROUND MINING ACTIVITIES 2.05.1 Objectives The information provided in this Section reviews the underground coal mining operation and the associated surface operation which CF&I Steel Corporation plans to continue at the Maxwell Mine located approximately 27 miles west of Trinidad, Colorado. Particular care has been taken to ensure that continued operation of the Maxwell Mine is consistent with the protection of the environmental resources as reviewed in Section 2.04 of this application. 2.05.2 Operation Plan - Life of Operation Production Methods and Equipment Operation of the Maxwell Mine by CF&I Steel Corporation was begun in 1977 when the initial production of the mine began. Construction activities for the operation were started ins 1976. The Maxwell Mine is a typical underground coal mining operation. Access to the Maxwell coal seam is through an incline slope driven from the surface to the coal seam. Development of the underground mine has been by continuous miners used to remove the coal in a room and pillar configuration. Since the mine' s opening, in 1977, all of the effort in mining at the Maxwell Mine has been in the development of ventilation and haulage entries for the operation. The primary objective of this development activity is to prepare the mineable coal reserve for efficient, economic mining by other higher, productive, and safer methods of mining. These methods include iongwall mining and shortwall mining, in addition to isolated room and pillaring sections to be completed by continuous miners. Use of the longwall , shortwall or other methods is expected to increase the recovery of the coal reserve, to maximize efficiency, and the overall safety of the operation. Other mining methods are expected to be implemented as they are developed throughout the life of the mine. Improvements in design of mining equipment, ventilation equipment, and 2.05-1