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STATE OF COLORADO <br />DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: (303) 866-3567 <br />FAX: (303) 832$106 <br />November 21, 2003 <br />Mr. Daniel Bear <br />17036 Opal Hill Drive <br />Parker, CO 80134 <br />RE: Bear No. 3 Mine <br />Dear Mr. Bear: <br />COLORADO <br />DIVISION O F <br />MIN SRALS <br />GEOLOGY <br />RECLA MATION•MI NING <br />SAEETY•SCIENCE <br />Bill Owens <br />Governor <br />Greg E. Walther <br />Executive Director <br />Ronald W. Cattany <br />Division DlreCtGr <br />Natural Resource Trustee <br />The Division of Minerals and Geology (Division) has observed and smelled smoldering coal for several <br />months during mine site inspections of the Bear No. 3 Mine. To follow up on our observations we asked <br />Steve Renner from the Inactive Mine Program to evaluate the situation. He has experience working with <br />coal fires in abandoned mines. Mr. Renner visited the Bear mine site on October 27, 2003. A copy of his <br />memo is attached. <br />The Division's observations indicate that the smoldering coal is coming from the Bear No. 3 portal area <br />although this has not been definitely determined. The abandoned Edwazds Mine portal is also in the near <br />vicinity. Of particular concern is Feature 1 described in the attached memo. We have a number of safety <br />concerns regarding the land stability in the vicinity of the portals and the potential surface spread of the <br />fire. These features appear to be within the Bear No. 3 disturbed area. We are also concerned about the <br />spread of an underground coalmine fire. <br />The source of the smoldering coal must be determined. We are asking Bear Coal Company to provide all <br />pertinent information regarding the sealing of the Bear portals and their current status. It is our <br />understanding that at times during operations, the Bear No. 3 was shutdown because of spontaneous <br />combustion inside the mine. Please provide us with any information and data you have regarding <br />combustion events within the Beaz No. 3 Mine. Please provide this information by December 15, 2003. <br />It may be necessary for Bear Coal Company to conduct further evaluations to obtain temperature data <br />inside the Bear No. 3 mine [o help define the origin of the smoldering coal. The need for further <br />evaluations will be partially based on your response. <br />Please feel free to contact Steve Renner at 970-241-0336 if you have questions regarding his <br />observations. If you have other questions, please contact Joe Dudash or myself. Thank-you for your <br />cooperation with these questions. <br />Sincerely, <br />~~ ~~ <br />Sandra L. Brown <br />Senior Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Attachment <br />cc. Steve Renner <br />Bill Bear <br />Office of Office of Colorado <br />Mined Land Reclamation Active and Inactive Mines Geological Survey <br />