REV03344

• Permit No: C1994082
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 1/13/2005
• Doc Name: Letter Application & Public Notice
• From: Seneca Coal Company
• To: DMG
• Type & Sequence: RN2
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

E
S co.~compnr Seneca Coal Company
January 12, 2005
Mr. Mike Boulay
Division of Minerals and Geology
1313 Sherman Street, Rm. 215
Denver, CO 80203
[phone]
RECEI\/E®
JAN } 3 2005
Givision of Minerals and Geology
RE: Yoast Mine Permit No. C-94-082
Application for Renewal of Permit
Mr. Boulay,
The current five-yeaz mining term for the Yoast Mine expires on August 5, 2005. Pet Rule
2.08.5(3)(f), SCC is submitting a completed application for renewal at least 180 days prior to the
permit expiration. Attached are the completed application form (signed), a copy of the Public
Notice to be published in the local newspaper, and a copy of the Certificate of Insurance for 2005.
As SCC has discussed with DMG, the total Seneca mining operation is rapidly approaching the end
of mine life. The disappointing performance of the Highwall Miner and ever increasing overburden
depth that exceeds the operating limit of the G50 dragline has adversely affected economic
performance of Seneca Coal Company; therefore Peabody Energy has made a corporate decision to
cease coal production not later than 2006. Highwall mining operations were terminated in
December 2005. "1 F~is decision has affected the approved timing of backfilling and grading activities
of the Yoast and II-W mines.
As the DMG is awaze, SCC has recently rented four (4) Komatsu dozers that will be added to
existing fleet to bring the total up to ten (10) D-10 class dozers to assist with reclamation (back6lling
and grading) efforts at Yoast and II-W. These four dozers axe expected to be assembled and "in the
dirt" by the end of January. In addition, SCC has a fleet of nine (9) 637 scrapers. As presented in
our January 5`" meeting, the big picture fox reclamation focuses on back5lling and grading at II-W in
2005 and at Yoast in 2006. This plan will allow mine-wide reclamation to proceed in an orderly and
logical manner based on the personnel and equipment at SCC's disposal.
During discussions with DMG it was determined that the changes to the Yoast operations plan will
require a technical revision to address the revisions to the cunenfly approved mining and
reclamation plans. Within the next few weeks, SCC will submit a Technical Revision to the Yoast
Permit as a follow up to the submittal of this renewal application, this will allow the DMG to base
the Findings Document on the revised operations and reclamation plans.
Seneca Coal Company . P.O. Box 670 • Hayden, Colorado 81839
Telephone [phone] • FAX (970) 278J014