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III IIIIIIIIIIIII III <br />999 <br />2.04.6 (1) (b) (I) Sta <br />Summary and Conclusions <br />Colorado MLRD provided Panorama with standards for interpreting <br />the results of overdurden physical and chemical constituents. <br />These were the 'Montana Department of State Lands guideline for <br />suspect levels in overburden material.' <br />Results of overburden sampling and analysis indicate that eight <br />constituents, Including sand and clay, exceed the standards. The <br />suspect constituents are scattered over several overburden sample <br />intervals: they are not confined to a single stratigraphic <br />horizon. With the exception of zinc and clay, the constituents <br />marginally exceed the standards. Mixing of the overburden during <br />mining should alleviate environmental impacts from toxic <br />constituents or unsuitable material (i.e, sand or clay). <br />Design of Test Boring Program <br />Overview <br />The Rimrock Coal Company permit area is 38 acres, of which, 7.23 <br />acres is designed as Phase 1 Mine area and 6.58 acres is <br />included in a Phase 2 Mine area, Exhibit JJ. <br />The Engleville Coal Seam within the Verme~o Formation is the seam <br />targeted for mining. The geologic map, Exhibit X, shows the <br />outcrop and structure of the Engleville Sean. The overlying, <br />non-coal bearing lower portion of the Raton Formation will also <br />be affected by the surface mining operation The practical <br />geologic contact between the Vermeio and Raton Formations is the <br />top of the Sopris Coal Sean, Exhibits FF and GG. The Sopris, <br />with some question of correlation, was penetrated in the <br />exploratory holes. <br />Underlying the Engleville Seam are a series of thin, uneconomic <br />seams that generally correlate to the Piedmont-Lower Piedmont <br />seams. Uncertainty exists as to the correct name for the bench <br />of coal that underlies the Engleville Seam in many holes. Either <br />Lower Engleville Bench or Piedmont is appropriate. In any event, <br />the operation plan Is to leave this thin, lenticular coal In <br />place. <br />Likewise, the plan is to spoil the overlying Sopris Seam and any <br />locally developed seams, unless there thickness and quality would <br />prove to be economically viable. <br />Location of Sites <br />In consideration of the mine size and original operation plan, <br />mining in the Phase 1 area only, samples from Rimrock hole 29-4 <br />were collected for laboratory analysis. However, the addition of <br />the Phase 2 area, in which stratigraphically higher material will <br />be disturbed, dictated that samples from hole 29-9 be utilized. <br />_~_ <br />