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During the recent development (late November, December, 1997) of the 6 Right gateroad inflows were encountered <br />from the Wadge Overburden between cross cut 24 to 27. The initial inflow was measured at approximately 265 to <br />275 gallons per minute. Maximum inflow rates have leveled off to I55 gallons per minute (1999 & 2000 <br />monitoring). The source of the water is from the roof. No vertical or horizontal offsets were observed; therefore <br />• the inflow was not from fault. TCC enlisted the assistance of a consultant (James G. Nalven Consulting) to obtain a <br />better understanding of the reason for the inflow in this area. This is the most water TCC has encountered form a <br />single area since mining was initiated in the early 1980's. Mr. Nalven visited the mine site on December 2nd and <br />3'd, 1997, to investigate the source of the inflow. The flow is coming from an area that is coincident with the Foidel <br />Creek lineament or valley. This portion of the 6 Right gate road also has the lowest overburden (350 to 450 feet) to <br />be mined under in the East Mine District. Also, the area is located were the dip is increasing significantly along the <br />steep (8 to 25% grade) western flank of the Twentymile Park Syncline. These three geologic features can increase <br />fracturing of the rock, open joints, and cause movement along bedding planes thus producing increased <br />permeability. In addition to the flow measurements, field EC readings were obtained to provide insight into the <br />source of the water. The EC readings were recorded at 4000 mmhos/cm. This reading corresponds with the EC <br />values obtained from the adjacent and up dip surface mine spoil water. Previously, TCC has experienced spoil <br />water migrating into the underground workings and elevating the EC levels in the Wadge Overburden. This <br />phenomenon has been recorded in the Annual Mine Inflow studies. Presently, the water is being captured at the <br />face and pumped to a "Shark Tank" and them pumped from the section onto an underground sump. <br />During the 1997 roof and floor samples were obtained form drill holes 97-006 and 97-007. The data for drill hole <br />is presented on tables 20D & E. A review of the data indicates that it all the parameters, except for boron, are <br />within or below the values previously reported by TCC. The boron concentration is relatively low, a1.57 mg/kg, <br />and should not present any environmental problems. It is especially important note that the data is relatively <br />consistent over the entire mine property. This leads one to believe that further roof and floor sampling is not <br />warranted. <br />NMD (Panels 12 Right through 16 Right) PR 99-OS <br />. The general geology and hydrology of [he segment of the NMD has been decided previously in the original Foidel <br />Creek Mine application, and subsequently updated through permit revision 3 and 4. The 1998 drilling program was <br />used to validate the prior description. TCC did not find any unsuspected geologic conditions that would modify the <br />original descriptions. <br />The 97-013 TM/TC monitoring wells, which were installed on the northern side of the property did locate a fault <br />which was previously projected for this area. The fault had an estimated displacement of 200-250 feet, and this will <br />be used to define the mining boundary for the panels in the second north mining district. No major inflows of water <br />were encountered during the drilling of this well. The location of the well is shown on Map 13A. <br />The expansion of the mine into the Northern Mining District will see the continued development of the reserves <br />located in the Twentymile Park Basin. As presented in PR-04, this is an enclosed ground water basin, which is <br />rimmed by the outcrops of [he major lithologic units. Those units are described above. <br />The NMD is located more in the heart of the closed ground water basin. TCC continues to have monitoring wells <br />in the Twentymile Sandstone, Wadge Overburden, Trout Creek Sandstone and Alluvial wells in the alluvium of <br />Foidel, Fish, Middle and Trout Creeks. The hydrologic gradients of the bedrock units continues to be toward the <br />center of the basin. The NMD will mine towards the center of the basin and then up dip from it. As in PR-04, the <br />focus of the hydrologic monitoring program for the bedrock units will focus on the Twentymile and Trout Creek <br />Sandstones. <br />During the development of the Northeast Mains, TCC will be crossing the same fault that was first intercepted in 10 <br />Right gate road. No significant problems are anticipated while driving through this fault. TCC does not anticipate <br />encountering any significant ground water inflows. <br />• As with the 7 Right through 2 Right panels, all of the longwall panels will be to the east of the fault. Only [he <br />submaining will be driven in through the fault, thus encountering the mining conditions in NMD. <br />PR 99-OS 2.04-16.2 _ ,_ _ _. 05/25/00 <br />