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George V. Patterson, Energy Fuels Coal, Inc. <br />Page 3 <br />July 1, 2015 <br />Adown-hole hammer on a rotary rigis an acceptable drilling method.The hammer is a <br />bit which penetrates fire alteredshale and sandstone well(other types of bits,tri cone or <br />dragfor example,may be useful as well).Regardless of the bitused, it is of key <br />importanceto drill using afoam / drill mud / water mixture. This should bepushed down <br />thehole by an on-board pump, or usingair from a compressor, or both. As Young <br />Drilling Company proposed, nitrogen isa nice supplementor air replacement (if a <br />compressor is used) to ensure an oxygen free environment at the bit. In rotary operations, <br />the fluid mixture is pumped through the drill stem to the bit, and circulates back to the <br />ground surface up the annulus. This not only cools the bit and drill stem, but removes <br />the cuttings from the hole. Inno instance does the Inactive Mines Program have <br />contractors drill into asuspected fire orapotentially high methaneenvironment using air <br />only. <br />Please review the proposed drilling method in the light of the results gained by <br />sampling air drawn from the mine workings,and of the survey of the area for <br />evidence of recent fire activity. <br />The proposed decision date for TR46is July 27, 2015. <br />Yours sincerely, <br />Leigh Simmons <br />CC.Jeff Fugate, jeff.fugate@state.co.us <br />Gorham Energy Consultants,kent@gorhamenergyconsultants.com <br />Dr. W. D. Corley, ajjc@att.net <br />The Vento Group (Paula Marie Coulter, paulacoulter@aol.com;Tena Gallagher, tena@aol.com; <br />Linda Saunders, saunders615@live.com;Ted Coulter, 19210 Lovers Lane, Grey Forest TX, <br />78023) <br />References: <br />Michael G. Zabetakis. 1965. “Bulletin 627. Bureau of Mines. FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF <br />COMBUSTIBLE GASES AND VAPORS.” US Department of the Interior. <br />http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/7328370/ <br />Steve Renner. 2005. “REPORT ON THE STATUS OF FIRES AT ABANDONED UNDERGROUND COAL <br />MINES IN COLORADO.” COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY. <br />http://mining.state.co.us/Programs/Abandoned/Reclamation/Documents/Mine%20Fires%20Information/ <br />2005%20Statewide%20Mine%20Fire%20Report%20(Full%20Report).pdf <br />