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<br /> <br />-1- <br />Verde formation. The base of <br />Rollins Sandstone. The F1esa <br />conglomerate and underlain by <br />the Mesa Verde formation is marked by the massive <br />Verde formation is overlain by the Ohio Creek <br />the Mancos Shale. <br />Coal is mined from the B seam in the Paonia shale member of the Mesa Verde <br />formation which dips 2 to 4 degrees northwest. The B seam is 4,5 to 8 <br />feet thick and is located approximately 200 feet above the Rollins Sandstone. <br />There are two other coal seams in the vicinitu of OC Mine No. 2: The A <br />seam which lies directly above the Rollins Sandstone and ranges in thickness <br />from 2 to 3 feet, and the C seam which Iies approximately 45 feet above the <br />B seam in the area to be mined and is approximately 1 to 2 feet thick. <br />Numerous faults are located in the Ohio Creek drainage. The area to be mined <br />at OC Mine No. 2 is surrounded by three faults. The faults locally offset <br />the B seam by a few feet or more. Two of the faults have been precisely <br />located by the mining operations, but the third has yet to be precisely <br />located. <br />Analysis of representative samples of the coal and the roof and floor materials <br />were reviewed by the Division. The coal mined from the B seam is classified <br />as high volatile bituminous coal. The coal is reported in the application <br />to be of metallurgical quality with coking properties. It is considered to <br />be excellent steam and domestic coal. <br />The analysis of the roof and floor material indicates that the rock is mildly <br />alkaline (p11 7.8); that the conductivity is low, indicating low Ievels of <br />solvable salts; that the sodium absorbtion ratio (SAR) is low, indicating a <br />low sodium hazard potential; that the level of heavy metals is well below <br />toxic levels; and that the combustible solids are below the level at which a <br />hazard of spontaneous combustion would be present. Based on these analysis, <br />none of the material is found to contain any toxic or physically unstable <br />properties which might pose an environmental problem. The results of the <br />analyses are contained in Exhibit 14 of the application. <br />The applicant is in compliance with the requirements addressed in this section. <br />V. Rules 2.04.5, 2.09.7, 2.05.6(3) and 4.05 - Ground Water <br />Information on groundwater has been reviewed by the Division. The information <br />can be found in Exhibits 9,7 and 14. <br />The applicant has submitted groundwater quantity and quality data collected <br />over a period of two years. This data was collected at Four locations within <br />the mine and at the point where the water leaves the abandoned Nu-hline adit <br />approximately one mile northwest of the OC Mine No. 2 surface facilities. <br />Small quantities of water seep from t1~c exposed face of the mined areas. The <br />water appears to enter the coal bed through the faults or fractures in the <br />area. This contention is supported by the geologic map and cross-sections of <br />the permit area submitted by the applicant. The mapping information showed <br />that the mine is bounded on three sides by the faults. The small amount of <br />water that collects in the mine is pumped when necessary to the bottom of the <br />slope, where it then flows through a connecting entry into the abandoned <br />Nu-Mine. The water flows through the Nu-Mine workings and exits from the <br />caved portal. The maximum flow that has been measured from the Nu-Mine <br />portal has been one gallon per minute. <br />Groundwater quality samples have been collected over the two-year period <br />