RE: Buchanan Mine #1, MSHA ID , VA DMME ID 11912AC ROOF CONTROL PLAN

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1 Buchanan Minerals, LLC Buchanan Mine #1 P.O. Drawer L Oakwood, Virginia Phone: (276) Fax: (276) dannyatwell@consolenergy.com March 16, 2016 Clayton E. Sparks, District Manager Mine Safety and Health Administration PO Box 560 Norton, VA Randy Moore, Chief Virginia Division of Mines PO Box 900 Big Stone Gap, VA RE: Buchanan Mine #1, MSHA ID , VA DMME ID 11912AC ROOF CONTROL PLAN Dear Messrs. Sparks & Moore: Please find the attached complete Roof Control Plan for Buchanan No. 1 Mine. Should you require additional information or have any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Danny Atwell General Superintendent

2 BUCHANAN MINERALS, LLC BUCHANAN NO.1 MINE ROOF CONTROL PLAN APRIL 1, 2016 ID VA MI 11912AC

3 Contents General Information... 1 Roof Support Material (Section 1)... 2 Required Supplemental Standing Roof Support... 2 Optional Supplemental Roof Support... 2 Support Material Specifications... 3 A. Notching tension rebar bolts... 3 B. Two speed resins... 3 C. Bearing plate... 3 D. Cable bolts... 3 E. Wooden posts... 3 F. Crossbars... 3 G. Plank... 3 H. Crib blocks... 3 I. Treated material... 3 J. Polymer grid... 3 K. Metal standing roof support... 4 L. Installing timbers... 4 M. Cable bolts length... 4 N. Fully grouted cable bolts... 4 General Provisions and Outby Areas (Section 2)... 6 A. Minimum roof control plan... 6 B. Drawings... 6 C. Warning devices... 6 D. Training... 6 E. Working faces... 6 F. Unsupported roof... 6 G. Rehabilitation work... 6 H. Slate bar,... 6 I. Working places... 6 J. Inaccessible roof fall clean up... 7 K. Roof fall... 7 L. Breaker timbers... 7 M. Overcasts, boom holes... 7 N. Crossbars or beams... 7 O. Scaling loose material... 8 P. Sound and vibration test... 8 Q. Refuge Alternative locations... 8 i

4 R. Deteriorating outby areas... 8 S. New bolters... 8 Four-Way Crosscut Supplemental Support for Adverse Outby Areas... 9 Three-Way Crosscut Supplemental Support for Adverse Outby Areas Continuous Miner Provisions (Section 3) A. Crosscut centers B. Minimum pillar area C. Typical Mains Development D. Typical Longwall Panel Development E. Combination Belt and Track F. Longwall Set Up G. Battery Changing Station H. Emergency cache I. Gas tests J. Maximum allowable widths K. Automated Temporary Roof Support L. ATRS M. Rib bolts N. Spherical washers O. Torque wrenches P. Test holes Q. Roof sloughing R. Bolt type S. Safety precautions for fully resin grouted and tension rebar bolt installation T. Directional Sight Line U. Standard cut V. Deep cuts W. Crosscut Widths X. Remote control operation of the continuous miner Y. Hydraulic Pump Motor Z. Crosscut precautions: Red Zones Typical Mains Belt and Track Entry Development Typical Belt and Track Entry for Development Panels Mains Track Turns Panel Track Turns Mains Intersection Bolting Pattern Panel Intersection Bolting Pattern Longwall Setup Face Typical Belt Drive Installation ii

5 Typical Roof Bolt Installation Sequence with Outside Controls Typical Roof Bolt Installation Sequence Using Bolter with Inside Controls Bolt Installation Sequence Using a Bolter with Outside Controls in a 22 Wide Entry Bolt Installation Sequence Using a Bolter with Inside Controls in a 22 Wide Entry Wide Belt and Track Entry Longwall Development Panels Bolt Installation Sequence Using a Bolter with Inside Controls in a 24 Wide Entry Bolt Installation Sequence Using a Bolter with Outside Controls in a 24 Wide Entry Typical Resin Truss Typical Bleeder Tap Projections Typical Section Start Up Projections Longwall Longwall General Provisions (Section 4) A. Longwall District Map B. Supplemental support C. Tailgate ground failure, D. Significant hazards E. Hazard map F. False roof G. Face conveyor H. Shield Safety Precautions I. Advancing roof supports Longwall Recovery Procedures (Section 5) A. Final pass B. L bar bracing C. Rubber tired and/or pan line type drills D. Z, Gopher or similar type drill E. Final approach cuts F. Face conveyor Longwall District Supplemental Support Longwall Face Support Longwall Recovery Support Plan 2 Rows Longwall Recovery Support Plan 1 Row Longwall Recovery Roof Bolt Installation Sequence Using a Single Head Bolter with ATRS Longwall Recovery Typical Bolting Using a Z Drill Longwall Recovery Cribbing Method Supplemental Support Longwall Recovery Walking Shield Method Supplemental Support Appendix A Polyurethane Precautions iii

6 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan General Information General Information Company: Buchanan Minerals, LLC Address: P.O. Drawer L Oakwood, Virginia Mine: Buchanan Mine #1 MSHA ID VADM MI 11912AC Mine Location: Mavisdale Buchanan County Virginia Nearest Post Office County State Page Portal 2 miles south of US 460 on State Route 626 Contrary Portal 2 miles north of US 460 on State Route 680 Horn Mt Portal - 2 miles north of US 460 off of State Route 680 Type(s) of Plan: Full Bolting / Longwall / Split and Slab Stratigraphic Section: Maximum Cover Over Coal bed: 2,400 feet Main Roof Shale/Sandy Shale 0 to 45+ feet Sandstone 0 to 50+ feet Immediate Roof Sandstone, Shale, and Sandy Shale 0 to 10+ feet Coal Bed Pocahontas No. 3 ±60 to ±76 inches Floor Sandstone, Shale, and Sandy Shale 10+ feet Company Official Responsible for Plan: Equipment Types in Use: Danny Atwell, General Superintendent Longwall shearers and roof supports. Continuous miners with remote controls. Dual head roof bolters with ATRS. Single head roof bolters with ATRS. Battery scoops, coal haulers, shield haulers. Electric shuttle cars. Diesel Scoops. Belt Feeders. Auxiliary fans. ID MI 11912AC pg. 1

7 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Roof Support Material Roof Support Material (Section 1) Required Supplemental Standing Roof Support The following material may be used interchangeably where required by plan: 1) 9 Point Wooden Crib 2) Heintzmann, 100 ton ACS Jacks 3) GMS, JennChem or Heintzmann, Minimum 24 diameter pumpable crib 4) Burrell Mining Products or Jennmar, 18 diameter cans Optional Supplemental Roof Support The following material may be used interchangeably in area requiring supplemental support: 1) Any Plan Required Standing Roof Support, listed above 2) 4 Point Wooden Crib 3) Multiple round or square posts 4) Ratchet Safety Jacks 5) Jennmar Little John Props 6) Jennmar Big John Props 7) Strata Sand Props 8) Strata Prop setters 9) 2 Screw Jacks 10) 2 8 Long Cable Bolts 11) Heintzmann Ball Buster Props 12) Truss Bolts ID MI 11912AC pg. 2

8 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Roof Support Material Support Material Specifications A. Notching tension rebar bolts will not be allowed to facilitate bending. B. Two speed resins may be used to install fully grouted tension rebar bolts. C. Bearing plate size shall be at least 6 by 6, including donut embossed plates. D. Cable bolts shall be used only as supplemental support and installed per the manufacturer s recommended installation procedures. A copy of the procedures shall be maintained at the mine and reviewed with the employees performing the installation. E. Wooden posts should be solid straight grain wood with the ends sawed square and free from defects which would affect their strength with a minimum diameter or cross sectional area shown below: Post Length (in.) Diameter of Round Posts (in.) Area of Split Posts (in. 2 ) Side Dimension of Square Posts (in.) 60 or less ¾ Over 60 to ½ Over 84 to ½ Over 108 to ¼ Over 132 to ¼ Over 156 to Over 180 to Over 204 to ¾ Over ¾ Clusters of two or more posts that provide equivalent strength may be used to meet these requirements but no post shall have a diameter less than four inches, have a cross sectional area less than thirteen inches or minimum square side dimensions. F. Crossbars shall be of straight grain solid wood and shall be not less than three (3) inches thick with a minimum cross sectional area of twenty four (24) square inches. G. Plank dimensions shall be at least one (1) inch thick and six (6) inches wide. H. Crib blocks shall have at least two (2) flat paralleled sides and be adequate in size. I. Treated material is required where wood material is used for additional bearing surface between roof bolt bearing plates and the mine roof if the life is expected to exceed three (3) years,. J. Polymer grid made of flame retardant polypropylene may be used in conjunction with roof bolts as supplemental support. ID MI 11912AC pg. 3

9 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Roof Support Material K. Metal standing roof support material will have a minimum top area of 36 in 2. L. Installing timbers, when installing timbers as new supplemental support, the following shall apply: a. No more than two (2) wedges will be used. b. Footer board is to be used only in areas with broken bottom. c. A cap board or half header may be used as a header, footer, or both. d. Cap boards and half headers used as headers or footers shall have flat paralleled sides and be not less than 2 inches by 4 inches by 12 inches in size M. Cable bolts length will be at least two (2) feet longer than primary support in the immediate area. N. Fully grouted cable bolts, while grouting fully grouted cable bolts temporary or permanent standing support must be set at the site being injected. If the placement of standing support is impractical, no person shall proceed within 10 feet of the bolt being grouted until pumping has ceased. O. Coal Bursts Training will be provided to miners to cover the potential hazards associated with mining in deep cover areas, including coal bursts. Special emphasis during this training will be placed on the indications of an increased likelihood of coal bursts and the actions to be taken when these indicators are present. Training will be conducted by individuals knowledgeable about these potential hazards and their indicators. Miners will be retrained at a frequency of not less than once per year and may be included as part of Annual Refresher Training. Continuous miner development and longwall retreat sections will be monitored for an increased likelihood of coal bursts including: a. The occurrence of small coal bursts, during which coal and/rock is forcibly ejected from a coal pillar accompanied by loud noise and ground vibration b. Areas where the roof bolter operators observe significantly increased strength or abnormalities in the immediate mine roof during advancement. c. A significant increase in severity and/or frequency in the amount of seismic activity (noises and/or vibrations) emanating from the roof or floor. d. Unusual red dust observed at a coal/rock interface of a pillar. Upon the completion of any shift during which coal burst indicators have been observed and present a hazard, a certified foreman shall make record of them in a Pre-shift/Onshift book. The record will include the nature and location of the condition and any corrective action taken. The records will be maintained on the surface at the mine, either in a secure record book that is not susceptible to alteration, or electronically in a computer system that is secure and not susceptible to alteration. The records will be made available for inspection by MSHA and DMME upon request. The MSHA District Office and DMME will be notified immediately if a forcible ejection of rock or coal: a. strikes a miner causing a reportable injury, b. damages equipment, c. or impedes passage or impair mine ventilation. In conjunction with the notification of the MSHA District Office, all production in the affected mining section will cease and all personnel will be removed from the affected area. Mine personnel will not be allowed to re-enter the affected area until approved by the District Manager and Chief of the Division of Mines. ID MI 11912AC pg. 4

10 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Roof Support Material Type of Bolting System Minimum Length (in.) Bolt Dia. (in.) Grade Anchorage Type Resin Size (in.) Drill Hole Size (in.) Installed Torque (ft lbs) Evaluation (ft lbs) Minimum Length of Grouting (in.) Fully Grouted 48 Rib Bolting 48 Longwall Recovery 72 Mine Development 5 8 Gr Resin NA 150 Fully Grouted Hole 3 4 Gr. 40 Resin NA 150 Fully Grouted Hole 7 8 Gr. 40 Resin NA 150 Fully Grouted Hole Dywidag 72 1 Gr. 75 Resin NA 150 Fully Grouted Hole Tension Rebar 48 Longwall Recovery 72 Mine Development 3 4 Gr. 60 Resin NA Bolt Length 7 8 Gr. 40 Resin NA 72 > 72 Grout JMS Cable Bolt Gr. 270 Resin NA NA 48 JMS Fully Grouted Cable Bolt w/optional Polyurethane Grout* Gr. 270 Resin NA NA 48 EXCEL Cable Bolt Gr. 270 Resin NA NA 60 Fiberglass Rib Bolt N/A Resin N/A N/A Fully Grouted Hole Jennmar Truss System (Tension Rebar) Gr. 60 Resin NA Bolt Length 7 8 Gr. 40 Resin NA 72 > 72 Grout *See Appendix A for information concerning the use of injected grouting material. Revised ID MI 11912AC pg. 5

11 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan General Provisions & Outby Areas General Provisions and Outby Areas (Section 2) A. Minimum roof control plan, the guidelines in this plan are applicable for normal roof/rib conditions. In areas where abnormal roof conditions are encountered, indicated or anticipated additional support shall be provided. B. Drawings included can be rotated or reflected to fit the specific site situation in the mine as long as the relative positions are maintained and the maximum specified spacing is not exceeded. C. Warning devices, (red reflective ribbons) that are readily visible or physical barriers shall be conspicuously placed to warn persons approaching any area which is not permanently supported upon the completion of the loading cycle. D. Training, all personnel required to install roof supports shall be instructed by a qualified person designated by mine management before being assigned to perform such work. All new miners shall have training in the hazards of mine roof and rib, and have the contents of this plan explained to them before they begin work. A copy of the approved Roof Control Plan shall be available to workers at the mine. E. Working faces shall be permanently supported on the next regularly scheduled bolting cycle after the working face is exposed. When circumstances delay the installation of permanent support the condition will be corrected and roof supports installed during the next regularly scheduled bolting cycle. F. Unsupported roof, No person shall work or travel under except to install temporary supports. Before any person proceeds inby permanently supported roof to install temporary supports, a thorough visual examination of the unsupported roof and ribs shall be made. If the visual examination does not disclose any hazardous condition, persons proceeding inby permanent supports shall test the roof by the sound and vibration method, if conditions permit, as they advance into the area. When installing supports in the face area, workers shall be within five (5) feet of a temporary or permanent support. If hazardous conditions are detected, corrective action shall be taken to give adequate protection to workers in the area. G. Rehabilitation work, where being performed, the following temporary support pattern shall apply: 1. Where bolts are being replaced in isolated instances, one (1) temporary support shall be installed within a radius of two (2) feet of each bolt to be replaced unless an ATRS equipped roof drill is being used. 2. Where crossbars and posts or roof bolts are being installed in an area where roof failure is indicated, a minimum of one (1) row of temporary supports shall be installed on a minimum of five (5) feet centers across the place so that the work in progress is performed between the installed temporary supports and adequate permanent supports. Where automated supports have been incorporated on the roof bolting machine, the equivalent of one (1) row of such machine mounted supports may be accepted for such work. H. Slate bar, of suitable length and design shall be provided during cutting, loading or drilling operations on all mobile face equipment except haulage equipment, and be used when prying down loose material. I. Working places shall not be mined through into an unsupported area of active workings except when the unsupported area is inaccessible. ID MI 11912AC pg. 6

12 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan General Provisions & Outby Areas J. Inaccessible roof fall clean up, where mine workings are projected to intercept the area, the following procedures shall apply: 1. All accessible entrances to the roof fall shall be posted off by at least two (2) rows of posts, or equivalent, installed on a maximum of five (5) feet centers. 2. A survey station shall be installed no more than 100 feet from the projected cut through point. 3. Beginning at a point no more than 25 feet from the projected cut through point, test holes shall be drilled in the roof every ten (10) feet. 4. The final cut through shall be no more than ten (10) feet from the deepest point of penetration to the projected location of the roof fall. 5. Following the final cut through, any portion of the roof fall which is not cleaned up and permanently supported shall be posted off at each entrance by at least two (2) rows of posts, or equivalent, installed on a maximum of five (5) feet centers. K. Roof fall areas shall be adequately supported if workers are required to enter such areas Mine management shall devise and have in writing at the scene of falls being cleaned a site specific plan incorporating the following: 1. Such work shall be performed by persons instructed in clean-up work and under the direct supervision of a first class mine foreman. 2. Adequate temporary support on a maximum of five (5) feet centers shall be set at the edge of the area where clean-up work is to start. A minimum of four (4) posts or jacks shall be set at all other unused entrances to the area and posted with a danger sign. 3. Temporary supports shall be replaced by permanent supports, roof bolts and/or posts, and advanced as clean-up work progresses. 4. Bolting or timbering shall proceed from permanently supported roof to the temporary supports prior to other work being performed, and roof supports shall be advanced as clean-up work progresses. 5. Where necessary to remove material before support can be set, such loading shall be done from areas of permanent support. L. Breaker timbers are required at roof falls until the area has been re-supported. These timbers may be removed at one location to provide access during the cleanup and re-support activities. Posts shall be installed with a minimum of two (2) rows of posts at each entrance, on a maximum of five (5) feet centers across the opening. Optional Supplemental Roof Support materials may be substituted for wooden posts. M. Overcasts, boom holes or other sites which require removal of roof material by any means, the roof shall be considered unsupported. In these areas, the following shall be done: 1. The installation of supplemental bolts prior to excavation is not required. Supplemental bolts, as required, will be installed during the final bolting of the excavated area. 2. Work shall be performed by persons instructed and experienced in rehabilitation work or under the direct supervision of a first class mine foreman. 3. During cutting of overcasts or belt channels, other unused approaches to the work site shall be barricaded (timbers or jacks are not required) and posted with a danger sign. 4. Bolting shall proceed from permanently supported roof prior to other work being performed, and shall be advanced as clean-up work progresses. 5. Where necessary to remove material before support can be set, such loading shall be done from areas of permanent support. N. Crossbars or beams shall be installed with some means of support which shall prevent the crossbar or beam from falling in the event its supporting legs are accidentally dislodged when used on road ways. ID MI 11912AC pg. 7

13 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan General Provisions & Outby Areas O. Scaling loose material is to be done with, a minimum of two (2) temporary supports on a maximum of five (5) feet centers installed between workers and the material being taken down unless such work can be done from an area adequately supported by permanent roof supports. P. Sound and vibration test, or equivalent, shall be made where supports are to be installed and where mining heights permit. Q. Refuge Alternative locations, in normal roof conditions, no supplemental support is required. During pre-shift examinations, if roof conditions are determined to be deteriorating, supplemental roof supports will be installed in accordance with the approved roof control plan. R. Deteriorating outby areas, where adverse roof and rib conditions have developed and have been observed, the following will be done: 1. Mine management shall be informed by the observer. 2. The area shall be dangered off or supplemental support shall be installed. 3. Supplemental support may include timbers, cribs or props, with beams if necessary to maintain travel clearance, cable bolts two (2) feet greater in length than the prevailing pattern bolt, or equivalent support material. 4. If the area is an intersection, a minimum of four (4) or two (2) components of supplemental support may be installed in each four-way or three-way intersection respectively. The distance between supplemental supports components in line with one another shall not exceed twelve (12) feet from the inside edge of each component. S. New bolters or existing bolters with ATRS modifications shall be inspected by MSHA and DMME prior to being put into service. This provision does not apply to bolters previously used in the Commonwealth of Virginia or ATRS modifications that do not require recertification. ID MI 11912AC pg. 8

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16 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Continuous Miner Sections - Sketches Continuous Miner Provisions (Section 3) A. Crosscut centers exceeding 300 feet will only be used in the yield-stable-yield system and shall apply only to the length of the stable pillar. B. Pillar angles will be maintained where feasible above 30 on all corners as measured from the adjacent entry or crosscut. In areas where angles must be driven that are less than 30, a specific plan will be submitted and approved for the area including considerations for the prevailing geologic conditions, present and future loading, and the installed support. C. Minimum pillar area during initial development of mains and sections shall be 2,400 ft 2 D. Typical Mains Development Entry Width 20 feet Entry Centers 50 feet minimum Crosscut: Width 20 feet Centers Crosscut Centers 50 feet minimum E. Typical Longwall Panel Development Entry Width 20 feet & Bleeder Development Entry Centers 50 feet minimum Crosscut: Width 20 feet Centers Crosscut Centers 50 feet mininmum F. Combination Belt and Track Width 22 feet 24 feet for a maximum distance of 300 feet to provide clearance, such as passing tracks, belt drives, etc. G. Longwall Set Up Setup entry 26 feet for the first and last 50 feet Setup headgate crosscut 24 feet H. Battery Changing Station maximum entry width of 22 feet is allowed at battery changing stations or projected battery changing stations to provide clearance for equipment when changing batteries. I. Emergency cache of supplemental roof support material maintained on the section emergency sled shall consist of at least: inch by 6 inch square posts 10 feet in length or equivalent support material of suitable length wedges ton lifting jack ton lifting jack 5. 1 Slate bar 6. 1 Hammer or axe 7. 2 Hand saws J. Gas tests, extending line curtain or other ventilation devices inby permanent support shall be done by remote means. K. Maximum allowable widths, when exceeded by more than 12 inches on a working section for a distance of more than 5 feet the following actions are required: 1. If the over width is 24 inches or less and there is no adverse roof conditions, timbers, metal posts, cribs, jacks, roof bolts at least two feet longer than the primary bolts, or other supplemental support may be used. ID MI 11912AC pg. 11

17 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Continuous Miner Sections - Sketches 2. If the over width is greater than 24 inches, timbers, posts, jacks, cribs or other suitable supplemental support will be used to reduce the overall width to an allowable width. L. Automated Temporary Roof Support (ATRS) systems are acceptable support during roof bolting operations. M. ATRS, positioned so the T-Bar is no more than 5 feet inby the last full row of roof bolts. The roof drill operator will be under permanently supported roof during positioning (outby the second row of roof bolts). The roof support bar will be placed firmly against the mine roof. With the drill operator under permanent support and prior to any miner s presence inby permanent roof support, the drill station canopy will be set at or near the mine roof (in abnormal mining heights the canopy will be raised at or near its maximum lift height). N. Rib bolts will be installed on five foot centers inby the loading point on advancing sections when the seam thickness is greater or equal to seven feet. Rib bolts may be omitted on advancing sections in portions of the rib that will later be removed to for a crosscut, belt drive, longwall setup shear/drive stall, or belt discharge if the rib material is to be removed by the advancing section. When rib support in areas where miners work or travel outby the loading point becomes dislodged, the affected area will be conspicuously marked to prevent persons from traveling near the unsupported rib. If the affected area is readily accessible (i.e. escapeways or trackways) or work is to be done in the area of the unsupported rib, the rib bolts will be replaced or the rib will be supported by using jacks, steel props or timbers. When jacks, steel props or timbers are used they will be secured by chains or ropes to adjacent rib supports. If an entry with dislodged rib support is to be traveled for the purpose of examinations or access to other areas, a walkway will be established by the installation of standing support or by marking areas to prevent travel within a distance to the unsupported rib equal or greater to the height of the rib. O. Spherical washers or other angle compensating devices shall be used to compensate for the angle when tensioned roof bolts are installed greater than five degrees from the perpendicular to the roof line. Roof caps of various designs/shapes may be used for additional bearing surface if used in conjunction with the standard bearing plate. P. Torque wrenches shall be provided on roof bolting machines in operation. A torque wrench which indicates by direct reading the actual torque shall be used on tensioned roof bolts, and a click type torque wrench may be used to check the torque of fully grouted roof bolts. Q. Test holes, in each active working place where roof bolts are installed during a production shift, a minimum of one (1) roof bolt hole shall be drilled in each cut to a minimum depth of twelve (12) inches greater than the bolt length being installed to determine the nature of the strata. Test holes shall be left open for examination. In the event issues develop with air or water weathering of the roof strata this plan will need to be revised. R. Roof sloughing when encountered requires the use of, pin boards, half headers, or oversize bearing plates, straps and roof caps shall be used in conjunction with roof bolts. S. Bolt type, only one type bolt shall be used in each row of primary support. ID MI 11912AC pg. 12

18 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Continuous Miner Sections - Sketches T. Safety precautions for fully resin grouted and tension rebar bolt installation are: 1. Persons responsible for the installation of resins shall be instructed in safe handling procedures. Resin packages shall be protected from excessive heat and cold during storage and shall not be used where the ambient temperature falls outside the range recommended by the manufacturer. Resins which have exceeded the manufacturer's recommended shelf life shall not be used. 2. Adequate instruction and supervision shall be provided to insure proper installation. 3. Drill steel shall be equivalent in length to the rods used or adequately marked to insure proper depth of hole. The length of grouting shall conform to that shown for various bolt types. Bearing plates shall be installed firmly against the roof. 4. For fully grouted resin rods only: The first resin grouted rod installed in each cycle of each working place shall be checked with a torque wrench after installing the first row of permanent support and prior to removing any temporary supports. The testing torque shall conform to that shown for various bolt types. Should the first rod tested rotate one (1) full turn, a second rod shall be tested in the same manner. If the second rod also turns, resin installation shall be discontinued until the reason for failure is determined. 5. For fully grouted tension rebar bolts and resin assisted tension rebar bolts using two speed glue: A. For bolters that have a pressure gauge on the rotation circuit, one bolt per cut (per drill head) will be checked with a direct reading torque wrench. An additional bolt will be checked once a new box of glue is opened for use. These checks will be made immediately after installation before the slow resin sets up. The pressure gauge reading will be observed and used as a reference for each additional bolt installed in that cut. The bolter may perform this check by installing an additional bolt in a previously bolted area prior to starting to bolt a new cut or in the first row of the new cut. B. For bolters that DO NOT have a pressure gauge on the rotation circuit, one bolt in four will be checked with a direct reading torque wrench. These checks will be made immediately after installation before the slow resin sets up. C. Any bolter that does not meet the torque requirements will cease in face bolting operations until the issue has been corrected. 6. Resins supplied to the working sections will be controlled to prevent intermixing of resins from different manufacturers. U. Directional Sight Line will be established or extended prior to every cut. V. Standard cut depth is 20 feet. Cut depth shall be limited to 20 feet in the following circumstances: 1. A substantial, constant and continuous flow of water from the roof. 2. A transitional change in roof strata which results in adverse conditions. 3. Roof cutters along the ribs other than isolated instances of draw rock, to be evaluated on a cut by cut basis through visual examination, test holes, etc. 4. Excessive draw rock which is not mined with the coal. 5. Drummy or loose rock detected during normal roof testing. 6. Test hole(s) in the preceding and/or adjacent cut exhibiting abnormal conditions. 7. Any detectable condition which is known to indicate the presence of adverse roof conditions. 8. The ATRS is not useable. 9. Entry width for the cut is 24 feet or greater. ID MI 11912AC pg. 13

19 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Continuous Miner Sections - Sketches W. Deep cuts greater than 20 feet deep may be taken. The maximum cut depth from the last full row of permanent roof supports shall be 25 feet. When cut depth exceeds 20 feet the following procedures shall be followed: 1. The continuous miner may be remotely operated for the entire cut. 2. No person shall work or travel under unsupported roof except to install temporary supports. Before any person proceeds inby permanently supported roof to install temporary supports, a thorough visual examination of the unsupported roof and ribs shall be made. If the visual examination does not disclose any hazardous condition, persons proceeding inby permanent supports shall test the roof by the sound and vibration method, if conditions permit, as they advance into the area. When installing supports in the face area, workers shall be within five (5) feet of a temporary or permanent support. If hazardous conditions are detected, corrective action shall be taken to give adequate protection to workers in the area. 3. A conspicuous mark shall be provided on the continuous miner to indicate when the maximum cut depth has been reached. 4. The fire suppression system for the continuous miner shall be capable of being activated from under permanently supported roof. The continuous miner shall be equipped with methane monitor read out which is readily legible to the operator during cutting or loading operations. 5. In the event of a continuous miner breakdown inby permanent roof supports, the unsupported area shall be roof bolted or a minimum of two (2) rows of temporary roof supports shall be set on a maximum of 4 feet centers extending one (1) row inby the area where repairs are to take place prior to beginning repairs. Only work to enable the miner to be trammed or pulled to under permanent support will be performed. The area will be continuously monitored by a certified mine foreman. Should it become evident that roof conditions are working or changing, all persons shall be removed from the area until additional measures can be made to safely perform recovery work. Upon completion of repairs the temporary supports shall be removed by remote means. 6. When crosscuts are being connected no more than 29 feet of unsupported roof shall be exposed. 7. An ATRS equipped roof bolting machine shall be utilized. ID MI 11912AC pg. 14

20 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Continuous Miner Sections - Sketches X. Remote control operation of the continuous miner, the following shall apply: 1. While using remote controls the continuous miner operator shall be located no closer than the second full row of permanent roof supports outby the face, and in a safe location away from pinch points and haulage equipment. The number of persons positioned at the continuous mining machine will be limited to those necessary to facilitate the mining process. When persons not necessary to facilitate the mining process enter the area around the miner when coal is being cut, mined, or loaded, the mining process will stop. 2. No persons shall be located between the continuous mining machine and the coal rib when the continuous mining machine is being trammed by remote control. This includes while tramming the machine from place to place or while repositioning the machine between sumps. All persons shall remain in a safe location away from pinch points created by either the continuous mining machine or other equipment. 3. A prominent and readily accessible emergency stop switch or panic bar will be located on the remote control unit of continuous miners being operated remotely. Y. Hydraulic Pump Motor will be turned off while attaching or detaching cable from the boom of the miner when using the continuous miner to move trailing cable. Z. Crosscut precautions: 4. Side cuts shall be started only in areas which are supported with permanent supports or outby an unbolted face where at least two rows of permanent supports are installed in the entry inby the inby corner of the intersection. 5. Prior to beginning a crosscut, the required supplemental intersection bolts will be installed. Supplemental bolts required in the intersection created by holing through can be installed once the intersection is completed. 6. No work (excluding preshift/on shift exams, tests for methane, or extension/repair of line curtain) shall be performed in or inby the intersection until it is permanently supported or a minimum of one row of temporary supports on a maximum of five foot centers is installed across the opening. 7. Readily visible warning devices or physical barriers shall be conspicuously placed to warn persons approaching an unsupported intersection prior to being holed through. The devices or barriers shall be placed outby the intersection with at least one row of permanent roof support between the projected intersection and indicators or barriers. AA. Crosscut Widths on mains or development sections may not exceed 26 feet in width. The width of such crosscuts will be returned to the designed entry width within 8 feet of the ribline of the intersection. An example of the measurement location can be found on page 22. BB. RED ZONES- Additional Safety Precaution- Any continuous mining machine on a development section not equipped with proximity detection will adhere to the following: an additional miner with knowledge in continuous miner operations will assist the continuous miner operator. This miner will remain within sight and sound of the operator while the continuous mining machine is being trammed from place to place and/or trammed within a cut during the mining cycle. Both miners will be trained in safe operating procedures, including all safety precautions in continuous mining operations. ID MI 11912AC pg. 15

21 Tramming To Next Place NOTE: THESE DRAWINGS DO NOT SUPERCEDE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL REQUIREMENT Pillaring: Left Cut Pillaring: Right Cut Pillaring: End Cut 1 Beginning First Sump Sump First Side Repositioning Miner Right Sump Beginning To Cut Crosscut First Cut Right Crosscut First Cut Left Crosscut Developed through a cooperative effort between MSHA s District 5 Office, the Virginia DMME, and local mining companies pg. 20 pg. 16

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42 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Longwall Longwall Longwall General Provisions (Section 4) A. Longwall District Map will show all of the supplementary supports required for the longwall district. B. Supplemental support in the tailgate entry of the first panel in a longwall district may be installed as the face advances provided that the supports are installed no less than 500 feet outby the advancing face. C. Tailgate ground failure, when a ground failure prevents travel out of the longwall section on the tailgate side, the following action procedure shall apply and remain in effect until a travelway is reestablished on the tailentry side of the longwall: 1. Immediately after becoming aware the tailgate entry is blocked, mine management shall notify all workers on the longwall of this condition. The workers shall be advised as to the method and timetable for reestablishment of the travelway. During the following shifts, mine management shall inform all workers required to be on the longwall of this condition. 2. All workers required to be on the longwall shall be reinstructed as to the escape procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency. All available routes off the longwall shall be discussed. 3. All workers required to be on the longwall shall be reinstructed as to the location and use of self contained self rescuers (SCSR), including demonstration of donning procedures. The quantity of SCSRs stored on the longwall shall be sufficient to provide all workers SCSR protection. 4. An air velocity reading shall be taken every hour at the No. 10 shield. A carbon monoxide (CO) detector or CO monitoring system shall be used to continuously monitor CO at both the section belt tailpiece near the headgate (intake) end of the longwall face and the intake escapeway air prior to mixing with the air on the longwall section. Monitoring with hand held instruments will be for back up purposes and will also provide for continuous monitoring. 5. The spacing of longwall face communication system (pagers) shall not exceed 100 feet apart along the face. The communication system, except the pagers being 100 feet apart, will extend from the headgate to the surface via the belt or track entry. A second communication system utilizing either the track radio network or the GAI-Tronics phone system will be used to provide communication from the longwall to the surface. Each of the two (2) separate communication systems will be checked at intervals of not more than one (1) hour. A vehicle to transport workers from the section will be maintained at the designated mantrip station. D. Significant hazards or risks that are anticipated or encountered before the startup of each longwall panel will be discussed at a meeting initiated by the operator. This meeting shall be a joint review with the agencies to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the district mining plan. E. Hazard map, a map will be created to show potential longwall mining hazard areas before longwall mining commences on each panel. This map will be posted where any interested parties can review it. Hazard areas are defined by the confluence of cover greater than 2,000 feet, a caving height of less than 15 [caving height is the distance from the top of the coal seam to the first probable fracture zone], sandstone within 5 feet of the coal seam, and the SS1 thickness zone greater than 20 feet. Additionally, areas with abnormal geologic conditions will be shown on this map. F. False roof. Prior to the longwall face mining through the high top cut for the booster drive in the headgate entry, or if the shields will not reach the roof a false roof will be constructed. ID MI 11912AC pg. 37

43 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Longwall G. Face conveyor. No one will be allowed to ride the face conveyor. H. Shield Safety Precautions: 1. When a shield will not pressurize against the roof due to hydraulic problems, necessary repairs shall be completed on the affected shield as soon as practical, as long as shields on both sides are operative. If more than eight of the shields will not pressurize against the roof, or there are less than two shields between any two affected shields, mining will stop and repair work will be completed on enough shields such that there are a maximum of eight affected shields with at least two non affected shields between any two affected shields. If conditions exist that make it necessary to advance the face, such as broken or sluggy top, shield movement will be under the direct supervision of a certified person. 2. Yield valves on shields will be calibrated at least annually to within 15 percent of the yield pressure recommended by the manufacturer. A record of such calibrations shall be kept on the surface and available for inspection for at least 18 months. 3. When a shield to shield hydraulic hose with more than 2,000 lbs pressure is found to be damaged to the extent that wires in the internal braid are broken, it shall be replaced and not repaired. 4. Shields being towed due to faulty ram jacks will be pressurized against the top after each move. 5. Before any work is done to free a stuck or fouled shield, the shield base must be against the floor. No one shall travel through, or operate in-unit a stuck or fouled shield when the pontoons are not against the mine floor. 6. If the space between two shields exceeds 18 inches, the gap will be reduced to less than 18 inches as soon as possible. I. Advancing roof supports (shields) will be done from adjacent shields. No one shall be allowed to ride on shields being advanced except when shield electrical malfunctions occur. In the event on board shield movement is necessary the following procedures shall apply: 1. Efforts shall begin immediately and continue until the defective equipment is repaired. 2. If shield systems have been designed and equipped with the capability of controlling the hydraulic flow rate during shield advancement, the slower advance shall be utilized. 3. During on board shield movement the operator shall remain under the shield canopy. An observer shall be positioned in a safe location near the person operating the shield to observe for possible hazards and to communicate any recognized hazards to the operator. In the event the observer and the shield operator cannot effectively communicate, the face conveyor shall be stopped until shield movement is complete. 4. These precautions shall be reviewed with affected workers prior to implementation of on board shield movement. ID MI 11912AC pg. 38

44 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Longwall Longwall Recovery Procedures (Section 5) A. Final pass (cut out pass), will have the exposed roof between the shields and the face permanently supported with roof bolts on a maximum of four (4) feet centers Rubber tired and/or pan line type drill(s) equipped with an ATRS shall be used to install roof and rib supports. During bolt installation the maximum distance between the last row of installed bolts and the ATRS will not exceed five (5) feet. The ATRS system will be Inspected / approved by MSHA / DMME prior to use. The area between the shields and the face may be additionally protected from draw rock by installed screening or mesh. The screen material may cover at least the top three (3) feet of the face. B. L bar bracing may be used in place of rib bolts. The L bar will be first supported from roof bolt(s) installed by the rubber tired or pan line bolter. The corner bolt of the L Bar will be installed with a Z or other type drill. The spacing of L bars is not to exceed five (5) feet. C. Rubber tired and/or pan line type drills will be operated without operators placing themselves between the face and the drill station. Controls bars will be disabled if they are located between the machine and the face to prevent material falling from the face from activating them. Panic bar on the face side of bolter may be disabled because of accidental activation if MSHA and DMME are notified. D. Z, Gopher or similar type drill may be used to bolt the roof areas above the shear, head and tail drives, or areas used for the installation of rubber tired or pan line type drills. Bolting in these areas will utilize at least two (2) temporary jacks for roof support. The temporary jacks will be placed within two (2) feet in front of and on either side of the bolt installation location. The first set of jacks will not be removed until the jacks have been set for next location. The shear drums will be placed against the top for additional support when bolting in the shear area. Bolting will start from a supported area and proceed toward the unsupported area when bolting over and around obstructions. E. Final approach cuts [approximately 4 to 6 shear cuts] may be bolted. A Z, Gopher or similar type of drill may be used for bolting. The foot of the drill will be blocked in the pan line or attached to the pan line chain to minimize the chance of the drill kicking out. Operators will be stationed under the shield canopy while drilling holes for these bolts. The operator will be further protected by advancing shields closer to the face prior to bolting. The maximum distance from the shield tip to face is not to exceed four (4) feet. F. Face conveyor, shall be removed with all workers being under supported roof at all times. ID MI 11912AC pg. 39

45 Buchanan Mine Roof Control Plan Longwall G. The walking shield method will be used to recover line shields. If the walking shields have to be removed because of malfunction or adverse conditions then the cribbing method may be used. 1. Walking Shield Method. One pair of walking shields will be used during removal of the line shields. First two safety posts will be installed after the first line shield is removed, provided that these supports can be safely set. Second a crib will be built in the area previously occupied by the removed line shield, provided that this support can be safely set (Please see Sketch 30). Supplemental support listed in Part 2, paragraph I, may be substituted for cribs, on a one to one basis. This procedure is repeated with recovery advancing towards the head gate entry. At least one walking shield in each set will be pressurized against the roof at all times, including during movement. Both walking shields will be pressurized against the top during the removal of line shields. Spacing between the walking shields will be limited by the mechanical attachment of F bars. The moving walking shield will be operated electrically from the adjacent pressurized and stationary walking shield. The only exceptions to this procedure are during an electrical malfunction when only hydraulic control is available and the walking shields are required to be moved to a safe location for repair or to prevent a safety hazard from developing. During on board hydraulic control, efforts to repair the electric controls shall begin immediately and continue until the defective equipment is repaired. During on board walking shield movement the operator shall remain under the shield canopy. An observer shall be positioned in a safe location, near the person operating the walking shield, to observe for possible hazards and to communicate any recognized hazards to the operator. These precautions shall be reviewed with affected workers prior to implementation of on board shield movement. The number of persons on the recovery face will be limited to those necessary for the shield recovery operations. 2. Cribbing Only Method. Immediately after a shield has been removed, two (2) steel props will be installed from under the remaining in place shield approximately 8-10 feet apart to provide protection while 2 or 3 cribs are built in a row in place of the removed shield. The first prop is to be installed closer to the face and the second toward the gob. The first crib will be installed between the steel props. The construction of the second or third crib will be started after the completion the first crib. second crib will be installed between the face and the first steel prop. The third, if possible, will be installed between the gob and the second steel prop. This procedure is repeated with recovery advancing towards the headgate entry. Installation of roof support material in this section will be done under the direct supervision of a certified person. The number of persons on the recovery face will be limited to those necessary to facilitate the shield recovery operations. ID MI 11912AC pg. 40