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IN REPEL REFER TO: <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING <br />Reclamation and Enforcement <br />1999 Broadway, Suite 3320 <br />Denver, Colorado 80202 -5733 <br />October 8, 2003 <br />ClDavid Bucknam <br />C lorado Inactive Mine Reclamation Program <br />Division of Minerals & Geology, <br />Colorado Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Dave, <br />RECEIVED <br />OCT 14 2003 <br />Division 0 Minerals and Geolc; j <br />This letter is to summarize our findings regarding a burning coal waste pile near Canon City, <br />reported to OSM on October 7, 2003. On October 8, 2003, we discussed the reported problem <br />with Sandy Brown of Colorado DNR, George Patterson of Energy Fuels, and Dr. Corley, the <br />landowner. <br />According to Dr Corley, he has been aware of the burning pile for some time, and noticed the <br />flames from cracks about the first of October. He hand - shoveled material into the cracks. About <br />5 days later, he had Energy Fuels use their equipment to excavate and compact backfill into the <br />hottest area. Energy Fuels reported that they filled and covered an approximate 30 -foot by 40- <br />foot area with on -site sandy loam. Dr Corley stated that he believes that the backfilling had <br />eliminated the immediate hazard. Therefore, OSM does not believe that the refuse qualifies as <br />an emergency. <br />In addition, there is a question whether the refuse qualifies as an AML feature. Dr Corley stated <br />fiat the source of the refuse is from the Corley Company wash plant (before 1973), but was <br />subsequently added to by Canyon Coal and GEC. He stated that the refuse was reclaimed by <br />GEC in the 1980s. <br />Dr. Corley expressed concern that the cause of the combustion of the refuse may be due to the <br />steep side - slopes that were left when the pile was reclaimed. Reportedly, the sides of the <br />approximate 50 -foot high and 200 to 300 foot long pile are slumping, and smoke vents are <br />visible all along the top of the pile. Dr. Corley is concerned about future similar fire events. <br />Sandy Brown reported that Energy Fuels had contacted her to confirm that they would not incur a <br />liability by helping Dr. Corley excavate the area. Both Dr. Corley and Energy Fuels reported that <br />the Pile is above the abandoned Corley Company workings (not the GEC mine), and is not within <br />