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J\ <br />{. <br />~ ~ _ _ _ <br />III III III III IIII III <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br /> DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br /> De pa rlmenl of Nalu rat Resources <br /> 1313 Sherman 51., Room 215 <br /> <br />Denver, Colorado 811207 III~~ <br /> Phune: U03) 866-7567 <br /> FAX. (3031 832-8106 <br /> DEPARTMENT OF <br /> NATURAL <br /> RESOURCES <br /> Date : 1 / 21 / 9 7 Governo er <br /> lames S. Lochhead <br /> To: Susan McCannon Execwive Director <br /> Michael Long Micnae~9. Lnng <br /> Jim Pendleton oivi:ion Director <br /> Michael Boulay <br />From: David Berry <br />Re: Telephone Log - Major Water Inflow - West Elk Mine - C-80-007 <br />Today at approximately 9:40 a.m., I spoke with Henry Barbe, Paige <br />Bevell, and Christine Johnston (all representing Mountain Coal <br />Company (MCC)) by telephone conference call. Mr. Barbe informed me <br />that the West Elk Mine is operating under emergency conditions at <br />this time, due to a massive water inflow which initiated at <br />approximately 10:30 p.m. last night. <br />Mr. Barbe also provided the following information. The inflow is <br />about 8000 gallons per minute (gpm). The inflow is occurring at a <br />fault location in the Box Canyon Mains, specifically in the First <br />Southeast Headgate, entry #2, between crosscuts 10 and 11. The <br />fault began flowing at about 75 to 150 last week. Last night the <br />continuous miner crew advanced about 10 feet into the face at the <br />inflow area, at the fault location. water came up through the <br />floor, rising about 9.5 feet from floor to roof. <br />Men and equipment were retreated, and apparently no injuries <br />occurred. Some equipment has been lost, and the local sections are <br />flooding. At this time MCC estimates their pumping capability to be <br />about 3500 gpm. MCC might be able to sump in the 1st through 7th <br />Northwest panels, but this would only add about 850 gpm pumping <br />capacity. Barbe says that MCC will need to pump to Pond MB-1, and <br />Christine stated that they have about 24 hours holding capacity in <br />the Pond MB-l. MCC is concerned that effluent limitations will be <br />exceeded once discharges initiate. MCC has contacted the Water <br />Quality Control Division (WQCD) MCC states that they will initiate <br />sampling upstream and downstream on the North Fork of the Gunnison <br />River. Some WET testing will be done, as well as routine sampling. <br />Barbe stated that the pumps are metered, and that mine outflows <br />will be quantified. Barbe stated that the Town of Somerset will be <br />