On Saturday there was a large mine blowout in Leslie County that released thousands and thousands of gallons of water from a 1970s underground mine on Robinson Creek near Chappell. It’s attributed to Bledsoe Coal Corporation (permit #866-5112). According to the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources, there doesn’t appear to be flooding or property damage.

Approximately 10,000 gallons per minute was roaring from the mine as of yesterday afternoon.

From a release sent yesterday:

DNR personnel were back at the site Sunday morning and while it does not appear that the flow has diminished significantly, the water level in the stream has dropped about 2 inches overnight. Officials are uncertain how much water remains in the mine and cannot say how much longer the flow will continue.

The water discharging from the old mine workings was relatively clear last night, but some iron precipitation was observed Sunday morning. Water samples have been collected by DNR personnel and the results of a water quality analysis are expected in the next day or two. Bledsoe company personnel have been closely monitoring the situation and have been cooperating fully with enforcement personnel. The Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) has cited the company, and a notice of non-compliance (NC) and imminent danger closure order (IDCO) were issued to the company Saturday night.

DMRE engineering personnel are currently developing maps to assist in determining what may be happening at this site. An old inactive slurry impoundment (permit # 866 – 0236) and a fresh water impoundment (permit number 866 – 0237) overlay portions of the old mine works, but it is unclear at this time if there is any relationship between these features and the blowout event. Frankfort technical personnel will be joining the field staff to assist in a thorough investigation of this event.

Pay close attention to the bit in bold.

And then this interesting note: A press release from Natural Resources originally indicated that “[a] faulty discharge pipe is thought to have allowed the build-up of water over time.” but that sentence was removed from a corrected release sent seven minutes later. What gives?

Thoughts?