GENERAL43393 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-b- Localized perched bedrock aquifers exists in the discontinuous, lenticular, tine grained sandstones of the Upper hlesaverde Formation. The amount of yround water in these sandstones is controlled by faultiny an~i fracturing of the strata (secondary porosity) and the topography of the recharge area. i~o known wells are completed in the sandstones of the Upper hlesaverde Formation above the ,nine workings. The valley in which Paonia and Somerset are situated is semi-arid with annual precipitation averaging about 15 inches per yer. Mean annual precipitation increases with elevation, reaching over 40 inches per year near the summit of Mt. Owen. The Flay-September precipitation is 5 inches for the lowlands and 13 inches for the mountain peaks. This indicates that snowfall patterns play an important part in determining the hydrology of the area. Temperature extremes at Paonia have ranged from -Zii°F in January to IUUoF during July and August. The average annual temperature is approximately 49oF. Snowfall averages 5ti inches per year. Tiie general area in which the ~anerset Mine is located is characterized by steeply sloping mountains covered either with tall shrub vegetation, particularly oakbrush and serviceuerr•y, or stands of pinyon and juniper trees. Urainayes in the area are lined with riparian vegetation communities along the stream banks. Some of the more level areas have been cleared and support limited livestock grazing, however, for the most part the surrounding land is undeveloped and is used primarily as wildlife haoitat. Recreational activities such as big game hunting, trapping, fishiny,rand off-road driving also occur in the general area. The portal facilities area near the confluence of Elk Creek and the IJorth Fork is located at the contact of the alluviwn of the North Fork and steep upland sedimentary fonriations. Description of the Operations and kecla~nation Plan The Somerset mine has been in continuous operation since 1902. Operations have evolved from the earlier hand method of mining to the present day operations using continuous mining equipment. The inininy system is conventional room and pillar mining using continuous miners, shuttle cars, conveyors and/or rail cars. All coal is moved to the surface using rail cars. Approximately 12 to 14 feet of the B-Seam is mined in the development and retreat cycle. Annual production in the mine is projected at a rate of 9UU,000 tons/year throughout the permit term. Once at the surface the rail cars Jump the coal at the dump station where it is conveyed to the tipple. The coal is crushed at the tipple then conveyed to the coal storaya silo. The site, a cylindrical cement structure straddles the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad track and loads unit trains for shipment to the Geneva Steel 'Works at Dram, Utah daily.