GENERAL41936

• Permit No: C1981037
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 12/4/2003
• Doc Name: Corely Refuse Fire & OSM Letter and Jim Starks Memo
• From: Sandy Brown
• To: Jim Stark David Berry
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: (303) 832$106
INTEROFFICE
MEMORANDUM
TO: Sandy Brown
FROM: Jim Stark
SUBJECT: Corley Refuse Fire (OSM Reference #CO-04-001)
DATE: 20 November 2003
I have completed the research regarding the refuse pile fire that is located on the Corley
Mountain Ranch property in Fremont County. My research included a site visit with
George Patterson of EFCI on 24 October 2003, a detailed review of the GEC file and
permit (maps, permit text, revisions, etc.), a review of several revisions for the Newlin
Creek Mine, a review of pertinent sections of the Southfield permit and a review of
historic mining maps. Below are my observations and findings.
Background
COLORADO
DIVISION O F
MIN SRALS
GEOLOGY
0.EOLAMATION•M INING
SAFETY•SCIFNCE
Bill Owens
Governor
Greg E. Walther
Executive Director
Ronald w. Canany
Division Director
Natural Resource Trustee
Around 3 October 2003, George Patterson of Energy Fuels Coal, Inc contacted the
Division to report a coal waste pile fire in the Section 24 area of the revoked GEC Mine.
He was asked by the landowner, Dr. Corley, to help put the fire out and was calling to
confirm that EFCI would not incur any liability if he helped Dr. Corley with the fire
(which the Division agreed with). The fire was reported to OSM on 7 October 2003. In a
letter dated 8 October 2003, OSM stated that it was uncertain of the piles origin and,
since the immediate fire had been addressed, declined to pursue the issue as an
emergency. The OSM asked the Division's assistance in determining the origin of the
pile and whether it qualifies as a "high priority AML feature".
Location
The refuse pile fire is located on the Corley Mountain Ranch property in Section 24,
Township 20 S, Range 70 W, as shown on the Rockvale 7.5-Minute Quadrangle. The
pile is located within the GEC permit area (in the E % of Section 24) between the old
tipple azea and the Orphan Pit (south of the tipple and north of the Orphan Pit). The GEC
Mine is a revoked site that had its bond forfeited (permit revoked on 23 Februazy 1984;
bond forfeited on 11 June 1987). The reclamation at the GEC Mine was completed by
Office of OHice of Colorado
Mined Land Reclamation Active and Inactive Mines Geological Survey