MINEBK01179

• County: Routt
• Document: FROMSIC
• Suffix: A

INTRODUCTION
This report is a compilation of available inactive coal mine data and extent of mining outlines for the
eastern half of the Yampa River valley area. Parts of Routt, Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties are
covered, by this study on twenty three maps (Figure 1). This information can be used not only for the
location of inactive and/or abandoned coal mines, but also for mine data and information that will help
make preliminary evaluations of potential subsidence hazard and/or fire hazards associated with a given
mine or area.
Data for the inactive coal mines is listed in two tables. Table One is a compilation of basic mine
data. This information includes: mine name(s), location, dates of operation, depth of mining,
thickness of coal, production in short tons, other unique information pertaining to each mine and
references used in obtaining the information. These references are numbered and refer to the
bibliography. These references are intended to provide easy access to detailed information for
specific site or mine investigations.
The unique features column in Table One indicates if specific field checked or unique information is
available for a mine. Table Two contains explanations of this information; such as existing subsidence
information, mine drainage, and mine fire information available for the mine. In some cases other
comments are included where it was felt that the information would assist in evaluating the present
condition of the mine, or mine site. These comments include the dates of gas or dust explosions, if
multiple seam mining took place and reclamation information.
Gaps in the information found in Table One reflect a lack of mine information in the existing
literature. An example of inconsistency in Table One is the depth of mining data. Unfortunately, this
information is missing from the Colorado Division of Mines' records for many mines.
The extent of mining maps are printed on U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute series topographic
map bases. Not only are the extent of mining outlines shown, but mine names openings and any
associated unique features (information noted on Tables One and Two) are also noted. Each map sheet
contains an index of the quadrangles covered in this study.
Much of the early underground coal mining that has taken place in Colorado occurred during an era in
Colorado's history when record keeping was poor. Mine surveys may not have been correctly tied to
present day survey monuments; maps and records have been lost; or in some cases mine records were
neither initiated nor sent to the state. These factors contribute to inaccuracies in the extent of
mining and results in "lost" mines. Although, a great deal of effort has been made to make these maps
as accurate as possible, it is important to note that there are mines whose locations remain unknown.
Additionally, active underground coal mines and strip mines in this area are not shown on the maps.
1