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e`,,~N1 Of , ~ <br />' `''~~_ "~_~~'' U•ted States Department~f the Interior <br />~• ;~.. <br />'--'- GEOLOGIC:\l. ~UIi\'}:1' <br />/1~ ^~ ~.~ ~. District Mining Office C-25079 <br />`--_ - -`~ `' 2135 East Hain Street C-27432 <br />Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 <br />ODM 1-8-18 August 12, 1981 <br />Technical Analysis, Colorado Westmoreland, Inc., Orchard Valley Mine; Leases <br />C-25079 and C-27432 <br />Lessee (address): Colorado Westmoreland Inc. <br />Ronald Stucki <br />P. 0. Box E <br />Paonia, Colorado 81428 <br />Description of Existing Environment <br />Colorado Westmoreland Znc. mines the D-seam of the Mesaverde Formation of <br />Cretaceous Age. It is one of several seams that are economically significant. <br />The A and B seams in the Orchard Valley Mine area have partings, thus, elimin- <br />ating their economic importance. The C-seam is only 3~ feet thick in most of <br />the Paonia area. The D-seam is 27 feet at its outcrop but pinches out 3 miles <br />to the north. The seam varies from 6'i feet to 27 feet thick and dips north- <br />ward S to 6 percent. <br />-~ <br />~ , The roof consists of interbedded Clay stone, Siltstone, Carbonaceous Shale, and - <br />Sandstone. The bottom consists of the same rock as the roof. <br />In the Summer of 1980, a major fault was encountered that caused a 47 foot drop <br />of the D-seam. There is limited information on this condition and a real pos- <br />sibility of more major faults to the north. <br />The surface of the Orchard Valley property is covered with a layer of gravel <br />and lava boulders over 100 feet thic:c. No other mineral resource of any value <br />is known. <br />Applicant's Proposal <br />Colorado Westmoreland uses the room and pillar method using continuous miners. <br />The 1st North Mains consist of a 350 foot barrier, a set of four entries, a <br />200 foot barrier, a set of five entries, and a 350 foot barrier. Entries and <br />crosscuts are on 100 foot and 125 foot centers, respectively. ' <br />Mining is completed in 1st West and 1st through 6th East Pain. Presently, <br />[he three mining units are in 7th East Main, 3rd West, and 1st North Main. <br />In 1st North Main westside at no. 40 crosscut the company is driving rock <br />tunnels through the fault to the D-seam. The 1st Main eastside is up to 7th <br />East Main. <br />_~ <br />