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5 <br /> Operations began in 1975 at the Maxwell Mine. At present, three <br /> shifts maintain continuous five-day-per-week operation by approximately <br /> 150 employees. Here again, precise projections of future operating <br /> levels are not available. However, it is anticipated that the present <br /> work force will increase substantially and that mining operations will <br /> continue in excess of 30 years. <br /> Although most of the miners are working underground most of the <br /> time, considerable surface activity does occur, including the trans- <br /> port of some 200 tons of refuse daily to the disposal areas at the Allen <br /> Mine and 40 tons daily at the Maxwell . Most noise with potential for <br /> disturbing wildlife, other than the aforementioned trucking of refuse, <br /> involves entry and exit of automobiles during shift changes at 7 a.m. , <br /> 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. , trains hauling coal from the mines , conveyor operation, <br /> exhaust portal fans and shop and yard activities. <br /> Climate <br /> The climate is best described as highland continental . Winters <br /> are dry and often cold for long periods. Summers are relatively cool <br /> and most precipitation occurs then. Precipitation and temperature data <br /> were taken from 20-year records at Trinidad (6,030 feet elevation) and <br /> North Lake (8,800 feet elevation) and interpolated to 7,470 feet <br /> (elevation of the active refuse pile at the Allen Mine) by Water, Waste & <br /> Land, Ltd. (1980) . Precipitation and snow depths should be slightly less <br /> at the Maxwell Mine where elevations range from 7,050 to 7,200 feet. <br />