Laserfiche WebLink
- 4 - <br /> deemed necessary, have been specified and recommended. <br />1 <br />2.0 SITE CONDITIONS <br />' 2.1 TOPOGRAPHY <br /> The site of the proposed Mt. Gunnison coal mine is <br /> located on the north-facing slope of the valley of the North <br />' Fork of the Gunnison River. Unlike other parts of this valley, <br /> this section has two distinct benches and intermediate slopes <br />' between, below, and above them. The benches are shown on <br /> Plate 1, Site Map, and Plate 2, Geotechnical Profile A-A'. <br />1 The lower bench at elevation of about 6,300 feet is <br /> being used for most surface facilities related to the mine. <br /> The upper bench at elevation 6,650 and higher is not being <br /> developed at present; the future waste rock pile and several <br />A other facilities (access road, rock bin) are planned to be <br /> located at this bench in the future. <br /> The existence of two distinct benches has not been <br />' satisfactorily explained. Although some attempts were made <br /> in the past to explain the benches as a result of large and <br /> massive landslides, more recent studies by the Colorado <br /> Geological Survey (1975), International Engineering Co., Inc. <br /> (1976), and GEO-HYDRO Consulting, Inc. (1980) indicated that <br /> both benches are not a landslide feature. Distinct benching <br /> or terracing is very probably the result of the selective <br /> erosion. Exploratory drilling performed by ARCO Coal Company <br />' confirm that the upper bench is not a landslide feature. <br /> oco+noao coNw~new, wc. <br />