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sump could be detected. It is generally assumed that the sump is locally lowering the groundwater in advance of the main pit floor. A sump pump continues to be utilized for controlling this water. 3) The rock mass in the eastern portion of the upper level continues to remain blockier and more weathered than the rock excavated elsewhere (Photo 3), as one would expect due to the shallower depth of soil and rock overburden removed. Iron oxide staining is common on the joint surfaces. 4) Reclamation of the two lowest benches on the north wall in the main pit has resulted in an overall slope angle of approximately 34° relative to the horizontal (i.e. flatter than the overlying slope angle of 45°). This was achieved by utilizing approximately 50 ft. wide and 35 ft. high benches instead of the approximately 35 ft. wide and 35 ft. high benches used previously. This can be seen in Photo 4 of the northeast corner of the quarry and has also been accounted for in the stability analyses for the north wall slopes. ' 5) A minor un-named fault zone, which strikes to the west, encounters the final pit wall in the northwest corner of the main pit and is also visible along the ' east wall of the main pit. The rock within the fault zone is more broken and blocky, with parallel fracturing and iron staining of joint surfaces common. ' Field measurements indicate that the fault has an apparent dip of 80°-85° to the south and a general strike azimuth of 260 to 270 degrees. The width of ' the fault zone varies in the main pit between approximately 20 and 50 feet. Photos 5 and 6 show the fault trace in the east wall and the bench of the ' west wall respectively. As mining progresses, the north benches will ' intercept more of the fault, which will increase the footage that the fault is exposed along the final walls. Due to the limited number of future benches ' currently anticipated for the main pit (two more benches), the fault will ' 2002 Spec-Agg Annual Report Page 8