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INTRODUCTION <br />This report is a compilation of available active and inactive coal mine data and extent of mining outlines for the <br />Somerset and Grand Mesa coal fields. Parts of Delta and Gunnison Counties are covered by this study on six maps <br />(Figure 1). This information can be used for the location of active, inactive and/or abandoned coal mines, and for <br />mine data and information that will help make preliminary evaluations of potential subsidence hazard and/or fire <br />hazards associated with a given mine or area. <br />While the primary purpose of these maps is to outline areas of underground mining for inactive coal mines (those that <br />ceased operation prior to August 1977), areas of known mining after that date were also included to give a more <br />complete picture of mining in the area. It must be emphasized that the most recent maps for many active mines were <br />not available, and also, that the outlines of active mines may change significantly after publication of these maps. <br />Also, strip mines are not shown on the maps. <br />v. <br />Data for the coal mines is listed in two tables. Table One is a compilation of basic mine data. This information <br />includes: mine name(s), location, dates of operation, depth of mining, thickness of coal, production in short tons, <br />other unique information pertaining to each mine, and references used in obtaining the information. These references <br />are numbered and listed in the bibliography. The references are intended to provide easy access to detailed <br />information for specific site or mine investigations. <br />The unique features column in Table One indicates if specific field-checked or unique information is available for a <br />mine. Table Two contains explanations of this informatton; such as existing subsidence information and mine fire <br />information available for the mine. In some cases other comments were included where it was felt that the information <br />would assist in evaluating the present condition of the mine, or mine site. These conments include the dates of gas <br />or dust explosions, if multiple-seam mining took place, and information on completed and proposed reclamation <br />activities. <br />Gaps in the information found in Table One reflect a lack of mine information in the existing literature. <br />The extent-of-mining maps are printed on U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute series topographic map bases. The <br />extent of mining outlines are shown along with mine names., openings, and any associated unique features (information <br />detailed on Tables One and Two). Each map sheet also contains an index of the quadrangles covered in this study. <br />Much of the early underground coal mining in Colorado occurred during an era when record keeping was poor. Mine <br />surveys were not always correctly tied to present-day survey monuments; maps and records were lost; and in some cases, <br />mine records were either not kept or not sent to the state. These factors contribute to inaccuracies in the extent of <br />mining maps and result in 'lost' mines. Although every effort has been made to make these maps as accurate as <br />possible, it is important to note that there are mines whose exact locations remain unknown. <br />-1- <br />