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_ . ... _ _ .. -_ _ -. v: W . ~ dL ..~_. . <br />Approximately 8 to 10 million gallons of water were imported for use in dust sup- <br />. pression within the Orchard Valley Mine during 1983. Although measurements are <br />• lacking for a portion of 1983, mining conditions remained very similar and the <br />production was virtually identical for 1982 and 1983. Therefore, the methodology <br />employed in 1982 to derive the hydrologic balance should remain valid. <br />A moisture increase of approximately 2% from indigenous to as received values <br />occurs as the result of coal extraction procedures. The increase in moisture <br />content indicates approximately 6.5 million gallons of water are conveyed from <br />the faces to the loading facility from the production of 1.3 million tons of coal <br />during 1983. <br />Approximately 1 to 2 million oallons of water are evaporated or seep into the <br />floor of the mine. Evaporation presumably removes water from the mine because <br />the relative humidity in the return air is consistently higher than intake air. <br />This amount is presumably in the 500,000 gallon range. Water usage was probably <br />increased during 1983 because of more extensive roadway maintenance and a water <br />infusion program of spontaneous heating area near the portal which were not moni- <br />tored through the flow meter. <br />• PROJECTED IMPACTS <br />1984 <br />The projected impacts upon the hydrologic regime of operations conducted at the <br />Orchard Valley Mine are expected to be minimal. during 1984, based upon previous <br />experience. As additional experience is gained in surface monitoring of hydro- <br />logical features and as underground mapping either proves or disproves current <br />theories concerning mine inflow conditions, Colorado Westmoreland Inc. will be <br />able,;o assess with greater confidence the long-term relationship between coal <br />reining and geohydrologieal conditions at the Orchard Valley Mine. <br />1984 will be represented by mainly advance or development mining with the follow- <br />ing exceptions: 2 and 3 South Panels off 9E -1 N; 1 West Panel off 5 North; and 5 <br />and 6 Piorth Panels off SN. <br />Lamp roof conditions of short duration and local extent are expected as mining <br />rroyrasses during 1984. These occurrences are mainly lithologically controlled <br />and should not disrupt the hydrologic regime. <br />• -4- <br />