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MAR. -28' 971FR1) 15:19 WRIGHT WATER TEL:303 480 1020 P. 003 Dave Berry and Mike Boulay March 28, 1997 Page 2 Throughout the meeting, Dave Berry emphasized that the PHC information is extremely important to Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG) and that such information is "long overdue." Dave stressed that from CDMG's perspective, the PHC information is more important than any other information or application that MCC is presently conducting. WWE stated that MCC has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the PHC work, and that they continue to monitor and analyze the situation, with their own staff and outside experts. Discussion early in the meeting focused on the many steps that MCC took in 1996 to minimize the adverse impacts of the major hydrologic changes that were occurring at the mine, including fault inflows, utilization of underground sumps, etc. WWE briefly reviewed the list of such factors in the Draft Technical Memorandum. Dave Betty indicated that, although he generally concurred that MCC had taken many steps to properly manage the situation, CDMG staff have long suspected that as the mine moved to the east (towards the Oliver No. 2 Mine) inflows would increase. Dave indicated that MCC "seems to be moving towazd the source of the water" and that it is the expectation of CDMG that high inflows will remain anever-present possibility. Gary Witt provided reasons why, in the view of W WE (including John Rold and Rich Dunrud), the lazge fault inflows encountered in 1996 could not have been foreseen. Gary Witt's response included observations from Mr. Boyd Emmons (as per an interview with Rich Dunrud conducted in October 1996). Mr. Emmons was a miner at the Oliver No. 2 Miae when it abruptly shut down. WWE asked Mike and Dave if they had any theories as to the source of the fault water. Dave said that they have discussed this subject, and they think that the inflows are most likely attributable to secondary porosity in the Rollins Formation, with a deeper source. Dave stressed, however, that this theory is based on very limited information and that it is subject to change. This discussion, in tum, caused WWE to cnmmari~e the work that Dr. Mayo of Mayo and Associates in Utah (Dr. Mayo is also a professor at Brigham Young University) is now conducting for MCC relative to defining the source of the fault inflows. WWE indicated that Dr. Mayo's initial conclusion, based on the available data, is that the discharges from the faults aze between 5,000 and 15,000 yeas old, thus indicating no recent connection to surface water. We noted that Dr. Mayo and MCC will actually be drilling into the fault in the mine- Dave Berry expressed strong approval of this work by Dr. Mayo and is pleased that MCC is taking this initiative. Update.• Dr. Mayo and MCC have now determined that the water is approximately 36,000 years oldl Thrs information. based on additional isotope analyses, further supports the lack of a direct connection to a local surface water source. WWE asked Dave and Mike if they were awaze of other mines in the North Fork valley or elsewhere in Colorado that had experienced large inflows and/or high temperature inflows. Dave indicated that, to his recollection, the old Somerset Mine had encountered hot water- probably hotter, in fact, than the current inflows to the West Elk Mine. Dave suggested that we call Jim Pendleton for additional historical information. As for flow rate, Dave indicated that