HYDRO29392

• Permit No: C1980007
• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Date: 5/5/1993
• Doc Name: STATUS OF WELL SOM 127-H WEST ELK MINE FN C-80-007
• From: DMG
• To: MOUNTAIN COAL CO
• Permit Index Doc Type: CORRESPONDENCE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 tiherman 51., Rnom 215
Denver, CO 60203
Phone: 13011 R66-3561
FAX:[phone]
May 5, 1993
Ms. Kathleen Welt
Mountain Coal Company
P.O. Box 591
Somerset, CO 81434
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Foy Romer
Governor
Vic hael 6. Long
Division Dveaor
RE: Status of well SOM 127-H; West Elk Mine; File No. C-80-007
Dear Ms. Welt;
To summarize our conversation during my site inspection on April
22, 1993, you mentioned that well SOM 127-H had recently ignited.
This well is located on the northeast side of the shop bench which
is where the new maintenance shop is being built. The well is now
located in the shop building. The well ignited while the workmen
were cutting steel in the vicinity of the well and MSHA was called
out to inspect the site because methane was coming out of the well.
There was also an ignition in the mine. Well SOM 127-H is located
down-gradient from the potential impacts of mining, completed in
the B-seam.
During our conversation you asked me to provide you with the
Division's opinion regarding continuing use of the well,
abandonment, and/or replacement of the well. Pursuant to Rule
4.05.13(1)(a)(i), ground water must be measured to determine the
effects of underground mining activities on the quantity and
quality of water in ground water systems in the permit and adjacent
areas. To effectively monitor the ground water system, monitoring
programs are set-up so that there is an up-gradient well, which
will not be impacted by mining and a down-gradient well which will
monitor potential impacts of mining. MCC currently has one up-
gradient well, C-72-H, which when drilled was probably contaminated
by grout as it showed an unusually high pH during collection of
baseline data in Water Year 1990. SOM 127-H is the only down-
gradient well in MCC's monitoring plan. As MCC is currently mining
in the B-seam, it is critical that we continue to monitor the
effects of MCC's operation on the ground water system; therefore,
the Division must insist on maintaining or replacing this well.
The Division is aware of the potential hazard of keeping this well
in the shop building when it is producing methane, even if it is
vented outside. If MCC decides to abandon this well, the Division
recommends that the well be redrilled. It would be advantageous
for MCC to redrill this well in approximately the same location and