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I III IVIII III STATF, OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Deparunem of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Sl., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866 3567 FAx: (303)83?-8106 DATE: September 20, 1999 TO: Harry Ranney FROM: Jim Pendleton L DIVISION OF MINERALS 6c GEOLOGY RECLAMATION MI NING•SAFETY Bill Owens Go~crnor Greg E. Walther Execonve Dueaor Michael B Lnng Division Director RE: New Ho ' on Coal C pany -Damage Inspection, Daniels Residence 't No: C-81-008) I have reviewed the damage inspection report and opinion letter submitted by New Horizon Coal Company in conncetion with their New Horizon mine in Nucla, Colorado. This report was prepared by Matheson Mining Consultants, Inc., consultant to New Horizon Coal Company. The opinion letter was signed by Colin Matheson. The report documents the observations completed by Matheson Mining Consultants, Inc., during an inspection of the Daniels Residence, located at 610 Grape Street, Nucla, Colorado. This location is mis-referenced on the title page as "Nucla, Arizona". The report, accompanied by photographs documents the condition of [he residence on [he date of the inspection, June 9, 1999. No authorship statement is contained within the report. The Daniels' residence appears to evidence extensive hair line cracking in the thin exterior stucco veneer, separation of soffit and wall joints, cracking of sidewalk and carport slabs, and minor interior drywall joint separation and drywall tape cracking. The contents of the report text and included photographs do not allow me to form a professional opinioon regarding the cause of this strrictural distress. The only comment I would add to the observations of the author is that the weathering and discoloration of the stucco adjacent to some of the exterior cracks suggests that deterioration of the exterior finish has been long term, rather than recent. The report is accompanied by a brief opinion letter addressed to Ross Gubka of New Horizon Coal Company. This opinoion letter is signed by Colin Matheson of Matheson Mining Consultants, Inc. Mr. Matheson states that he examined blasting records for the New Horizon Mine. Mr. Matheson presents his opinion within the letter: "MMC concludes from the inspection of the structure and the blast records that shier is no probability thsat any of the damage bserved was caused by blasting". The author further observes that the United States Bureau of Mines damage criteria have not been exceded at the Daniels' residence. Finallt Mr. Matheson states that it his opinion that the damage is due to construction inadequacies, maintenance inadequacies, and settlement of the structure, possibly compounded by poor drainage. Mr. Matheson's statements are strong and unequivocal.