1. A. When mining using an underground, auger or highwall mining method within 200 horizontal feet of a vertical ventilation hole or a gas well, the mine operator shall submit a plan showing the projected pillars of coal to be left unmined around each hole or well.

2. B. Pillars shall be situated so that each hole or well is centered within a pillar, and each pillar shall conform to the specifications shown in Table I below, based on the depth of cover above the area being mined. The entries developed adjacent to any pillar may not exceed 20 feet in width without prior approval from the chief. In no circumstances may the most narrow pillar dimension be less than twice the width of the adjacent entries.

   Table I Pillar Specifications
   Cover (in feet)	Required Solid Pillar Area (in square feet)	Required Additional Pillar Area (Solid or Split, in sq. ft.)	Total Area Bearing Surface Required (in sq. ft.)
   0-149	3,600		3,600
   150-249	5,625		5,625
   250-349	10,000		10,000
   350-449	10,000	5,600	15,600
   450-549	10,000	13,000	23,000
   550-649	10,000	22,000	32,000
   650 or more	10,000	30,000	40,000

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.106, 45.1-161.121, 45.1-161.254 and 45.1-161.292 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 20, eff. July 18, 2001.