A friend of mine was telling me about a mine that has encountered a tricky technical problem. The mine is under a lake, and in the company's original filings, they had an agreement to leave a certain thickness of rock between the top of the mine and the bottom of the lake. Of course that rock turned out to be ore, so the company started mining a little bit from the roof. Just a bit. Then a bit more. Then a bit more. Now the rock layer is only about one-third the specified thickness, and fissures have appeared along with water leaks.
As he was describing it, I asked if it was [redacted]. He wanted to know how I knew. I told him I didn't. But I do now.
As he was describing it, I asked if it was [redacted]. He wanted to know how I knew. I told him I didn't. But I do now.
Not to panic--the mine is closed down while they figure out their next move.
ReplyDeleteCigar?
ReplyDeleteThanks, but I don't smoke.
ReplyDeleteNo, Cigar was only disaster no. 552
It is an obscure deposit that produces oddball elements, but by coincidence it happens to be one I studied closely when I was an undergrad lo these many years ago. When he mentioned the main product of the mine, I knew there weren't many such mines, and then when he said it was under a lake . . .
ReplyDelete