The IItmann coal mine (IMC) is situated in the Allegheny Plateau of the CAPP coal fields region. Near-surface geology of this area primarily consists of Pennsylvanian coal-bearing strata. Coal seams mined in this region are generally classified as low-to-high-volatile bituminous in rank, characterized by low-to-medium sulfur content and high heating value.

Pennsylvanian Age sedimentary strata of the lower Pottsville Group comprise the majority of the stratigraphic units in and around the Itmann and Tug Fork properties. More specifically, the overlying strata include bedrock and coal seams contained in the Pocahontas Formation and the New River Formation, in order of deposition.

Presently, there are three seams of economic interest at the IMC—the P3 and P4 seams on the Itmann Property, and the Sewell Seam on the Tug Fork Property. All three seams are generally characterized as being: greater than 34-in. thick, free of significant waste partings, flat or shallow dipping, and relatively unaffected by faulting or folding. As such, the coal seams are considered to be of low geologic complexity.

The washed Itmann coal product is characterized as a high-rank, low-volatile bituminous, low-ash, low-sulfur coal exhibiting premium coking qualities.

Pocahontas Formation
The Pocahontas Formation is characterized predominantly by sandstone sequences, containing varying amounts of shales, siltstones, and coal beds. The coal beds are appropr ........

The Itmann coal mine (IMC) consists of two underground room-and-pillar mines located in CAPP; the Itmann No. 5 Mine, which operates in the P3 and P4 Seams, and the planned Tug Fork Mine, which will mine the Sewell Seam. The complex is expected to produce between 800,000 to 1.0 million product tons annually once full production is reached. Production from the Tug Fork Mine, which will be operated as a satellite contract operation, will be shipped for processing at the Itmann coal preparation plant.

A typical room-and-pillar production section will include one or two Continuous Miner (CM) units, one or two roof bolting machines, and between two and four coal haulage machines (most commonly shuttle cars [SC]) per CM. The main piece of equipment is the CM, which is a heavy, steel framed machine (often over 40 tons) mounted on cat tracks, that operates on electric power.

The CM is used to extract the coal seam by mining a rectangular opening or “cut”. The cut typically ranges from 18 ft to 20 ft in width and extends the height of the coal seam plus some increment of extraneous non-coal roof and floor material extracted during the mining process (known as “out-of-seam dilution” [OSD]). The depth that the CM cuts into the coal seam (i.e., the cut length) is dependent upon mining conditions, regulations, operating practices, etc. but is generally in the range of 15 ft to 40 ft. Shorter cuts are taken in areas where there are difficult roof conditions.

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