The mine consists of two pits with one spread of equipment used for both pit areas. The mining process involves drilling holes, insertion of explosives, detonation of explosives, removal of overburden and removal of coal from each seam as the process is repeated. Coal is then transported by truck to loadout facilities at the Rob Fork Processing Plant, approximately 13 miles away. Four production crews are utilized by the company. The crews alternate working every four days.
Maintenance is conducted as scheduled and needed.
The last complete health and safety inspection of the mine conducted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration was completed on September 30, 1998. Jedford Colvin, night-shift foreman, assigned the employees their duties. Prior to the start of the second shift, three contract employees of Energetic Solutions, loaded drill holes and blasted overburden material from the No. 1 Pit, located approximately 20 feet from the No. 2 Pit. Begley examined the highwall before marking hole locations to be drilled. Begley found no hazards.