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How We Mine
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Step 1 – Estimate Coal Seams
Teams of geologists and engineers
estimate quantity, quality and
depth of coal in a proposed area
through a variety of proven
methods, utilizing computer
modeling software and data
including information from core
drilling. |
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Step 2 – Evaluate Environmental
Factors Environmental
engineers and reclamation
specialists evaluate a proposed
area carefully, considering
location, terrestrial and aquatic
resources, topography, proximity
to residents, and many other
factors. |
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Step 3 – Develop Mine Plan
Mining engineers outline how to
mine and restore the property once
mining is complete through
computer-aided sequencing and
three-dimensional modeling.
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Step 4 – Analyze Costs
Financial analysts work with mine
managers to determine the costs
involved in mining a particular
piece of land based on coal seam
and environmental evaluations. |
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Step 5 – Seek Permits
If the cost-analysis justifies
mining coal in a particular area,
we begin the permitting process.
Mining is heavily regulated by
state and federal agencies,
including the Office of Surface
Mining, Bureau of Land Management,
Environmental Protection Agency
and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
as well as the appropriate state
and local entities. Typically, it
takes several years to obtain all
the necessary permits to mine coal
in the U.S. |
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Step 6 – Mine the Coal
When planning is completed and all
permits granted, mining begins.
Seams of coal may be close to the
surface or buried deep
underground.
Surface mining is the technique
used when coal is found near the
surface. Underground mining is
used to extract coal lying deep
beneath the surface. Surface mines
use large earth-moving equipment,
such as draglines, shovels and
loaders. Underground mines use
longwall systems or continuous
miners. |
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Step 7 – Ship Coal to Customers
Some coal is cleaned, sorted and
crushed to different sizes at
preparation plants before loading
for delivery, while other coal is
shipped raw. Coal is usually
loaded and shipped by railroad or
river barge. Arch ships most
production to electric utilities
that burn coal to generate
electricity. We mine low-sulfur
coal exclusively. Our mines
provide the fuel for about 6% of
the electricity used by Americans
each year. |
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Step 8 – Reclaim the Land
Reclamation is carefully planned,
and is part of the total process
from start to finish.
Environmental experts work with
landowners, state and federal
officials and other interested
parties to determine the most
desirable use of the land.
Therefore, reclamation varies from
area to area and site to site.
There are many uses for reclaimed
land, including farming, grazing,
commercial forestry, fish and
wildlife habitat, economic
development projects, and
recreational activities like
hunting, fishing and golfing. |
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With new technology and improving
scientific methods, it’s often
hard to tell which land has been
mined and which hasn’t. See for
yourself in this series of photos
taken on Arch’s
reclaimed mine lands. |
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