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• testing of the Sage Creek coal were available, and no data for this seam were present in <br />the database. Generalized lithology log holes 3319C and 3320C are shown in Figures 22 <br />and 23. <br />As part of the inspection and sample selection process, Rock Quality Designations <br />(RQD's) were calculated. RQD was determined on a 4-inch convention; RQD values aze <br />given on Figures 22 and 23 preceding the unit names. <br />The primary rock type represented in the tested boreholes consists of a brown-to- <br />gray shale (69%). In the core, the shale is relatively intact, with an average RQD of 49. <br />The next most common rock type in the core is sandstone (27%), with an average-RQD <br />of 55. The balance of the column from the tested holes consisted of coal, claystone, and <br />limestone. RQD's of the coal were quite low, averaging 17. This may be due to the fact <br />the core was not fresh and had lost some of its inherent moisture. This probably also <br />explains the low coal compressive strengths from this core compared with coal tests from <br />the Peabody database. <br />During the course of NSA's site visit, general observations of highwall and pit <br />floor conditions were made. At the time, mining had not extended to the Sage Creek or <br />Wolf Creek in the active pits, and only the Wadge Seam was accessible. <br />. The Seneca IIW highwall is generally stable (Figures 24 and 25), with little or no <br />groundwater encountered. The shale, sandstone, and overlying coal seams that make up <br />the highwall appeaz to be very competent, with any small instabilities related to structure <br />rather than rock weakness. <br />The Yoas[ highwall consists of similarly competent material (Figure 26). An old <br />exposure of the highwall (Figure 27) shows more cleazly the structure in the Yoast azea, ~ <br />and suggests that structure dominates here more than in Seneca 11W. ` <br />2.3 Physical Property Test Results <br />After inspection of the core provided, NSA recommended a suite of uniaxial <br />compressive strength tests to characterize the roof, floor, and seam strata. This was done <br />to provide data for analytical, empirical, and numerical modeling analyses, and to provide <br />a basis of comparison between samples from the study azeas and those from the Peabody <br />database. For selected uniaxial tests, axial strain was also measured so that Young's <br />modulus could be determined. Slake durability tests were also performed to assess the <br />trafficability of the floor materials. In total, 10 uniaxial compressive strength tests with <br />Young's modulus, 11 uniaxial compressive strength tests, and 3 slake durability tests <br />were performed by Advanced Terra Testing (ATT) of Lakewood, CO. ATT's report has <br />been forwarded to Seneca separately. Table 2 summarizes the physical property database <br />used for the analyses described in this report. The abbreviations and strata location <br />classifications given are defined as follows: <br />Seneca Coal Company 4 NSA Engineering, Inc. <br />Highwall Mine Design Report lone 2003 <br />