Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 89.40 - Return of coal processing and underground development waste to abandoned underground workings(a) The operation plan shall describe the design, operation and maintenance of any proposed facility for return of coal processing or underground development waste to an underground mine. The description shall include: (1) Flow diagrams and any other necessary drawings and maps, for the approval of the Department and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.(2) The source and quality of waste to be stowed, area to be backstowed, percent of the mine void to be filled, method of constructing underground retaining walls, influence of the backfilling operation on active underground mine operations, surface area to be supported by the backfill and the anticipated occurrence of surface effects following backfilling.(3) The source of the hydraulic transport medium, method of dewatering the placed backfill, retainment of water underground, treatment of water if released to surface streams and the effect on the hydrologic regime.(4) The stratum underlying the mined coal and gradient from the backfilled area.(b) The requirements of this section shall also apply to pneumatic backfilling operations, except when the operations are exempted by the Department from requirements specifying hydrologic monitoring.The provisions of this § 89.40 adopted December 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4789, effective 7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382; amended July 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2473, effective 7/31/1982, 12 Pa.B. 2382.