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<br />"poor" rock mass conditions. Localized areas of instability were observed in temporary <br />slopes and these conditions will continue to be observed during further development in <br />this area. Rock mass properties significantly improve with depth, due to higher strength <br />parent rock, less weathered and more massive than the rock mass above, which is <br />composed of low strength rock material with weathered and slick joint surfaces. <br />The overall slope on the west side appears stable. Localized instabilities are <br />infrequent and consist of relatively small loose blocks and wedges, generally less than <br />' 10 feet in length. These instabilities are as expected for the highwall and only cause <br />localized operational inconveniences. <br />The overall slope on the north end appears stable. Localized instabilities are infrequent <br />and consist of relatively small loose blocks and wedges, generally less than ] 0 feet in <br />length. These instabilities are as expected for the highwall and only cause localized <br />' operational inconveniences. <br />5.03 North Quarry <br />The highwalls and benches in the north quarry currently extend along the East, North, and West <br />exposures. Active mining is primarily in the central area of the bottom of the quarry and <br />extending to the east and west. The mapped highwalls are along the north exposure (south- <br />facing highwalls) and west exposure (east-facing highwalls). The rock type is primarily granite <br />gneiss with mafic and felsic intrusions (felsite dikes and pegma6tes). <br />For the west exposure Benches (1, A, B, and C) the foliation is generally dipping west into the <br />highwall The trend and dip of the foliation varies locally due to several sets of <br />anticline/syncline structural features in the rock mass. The primary joint set coincides with <br />foliation of the rock mass. In general, the foliation dips in a west /southwest direction. <br />Foliation orientation has local variations due to several sets of localized anticline/syncline <br />structural features in the rock mass. Dip angle varies from approximately 10 degrees to 53 <br />degrees. Mapping data is provided in Table 1. Spacing of joints in the primary joint set <br />typically ranges from 0.5 ft to 2 ft. Joint surfaces are typically tight and appear slightly <br />weathered to moderately weathered. Joints are very continuous in certain locations, and <br />discontinuous in other locations. <br />The most prominent secondaryjoint set strikes northwest to west (bearing N 25 W to N 82 W) <br />I and is dipping from 58 degrees to 88 degrees. A less prominent secondary joint set strikes <br />northeast (bearing N 13 E to due east) and is dipping from 24 degrees to 90 degrees (vertical). <br />Joints may be dipping out of the highwall in localized azeas. Joint set information is provided in <br />Table 1. Spacing of joints in the secondary sets typically ranges from 1 to 5 feet. Joint surfaces <br />are typically tight to open and appear slightly weathered to weathered with some thin clay infill <br />in the more weathered joings. Joints are both continuous and discontinuous. There are <br />however, areas up to approximately 50 ft long where the rock mass is massive with no joints. <br />L Additionally there are random joints with strikes and dips that were not observed to follow any <br />pattern and can have any strike and dip. <br />The overall west slope appears stable. Localized instabilities are limited to single benches and <br />' are evidenced by relatively small block and wedge shaped slip surfaces and raveling, generally <br />less than 10 feet in length. These slip surfaces are as expected for the highwall and cause only <br />localized operational inconveniences. The overall condition of the highwall above on Benches <br />1, A, B, and C in the areas mapped is "competent". <br />For the north exposure Benches (B and C) the foliation is generally dipping southwest <br />subparallel to the highwall. The trend and dip of the foliation may vary locally due to several <br />6 <br />