In addition to the requirements of Rules 880-X-10C and 880-X-10D, each person who conducts combined surface and underground mining activities shall comply with the following:

1. (a) A500 foot barrier pillar of coal shall be maintained between the surface and underground mining activities in any one seam. The State Regulatory Authority with the concurrence of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, and the Department of Industrial Relations may, however, approve a lesser distance, after a finding by the State Regulatory Authority that mining at a lesser distance will result in --

   1. 1. Improved coal resources recovery;
   2. 2. Abatement of water pollution; or
   3. 3. Elimination of hazards to the health and safety of the public.
2. (b) The vertical distance between combined surface and underground mining activities working separate seams shall be sufficient to provide for the health and safety of the workers and to prevent surface water from entering the underground workings.
3. (c) No combined activities shall reduce the protection provided public health and safety below the level of protection required for those activities if conducted without a variance.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 84, 85, 90, 91,92.