2009-03-02_PERMIT FILE - C1980004A ‎(5)‎

• Permit No: C1980004A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/2/2009
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.0 General Description of Mining Operations
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

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2.5 GEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF THE MINE PLAN
• 2.5.1 STRATIGRAPHY
The surface geology of the permit area is made up of the Mesa Verde Group of upper
Cretaceous Age, the Wasatch Formation of lower Tertiary Age, and alluvium and colluvium of
Quaternary Age (See Fgure 2.5-1). All local coal seams lie in the Mount Garfield Formation of
the Mesa Verde Group. There are four distinct coal beds which may or may not be present within
the permit area. The upper two zones are inconsistent stringers which occasionally converge to
form a minable reserve. Both lower seams are more predictable, and in the case of the Cameo
seam, much thicker. Each coal zone is addressed separately in section 2.1.4.2.1.
The Mount Garfield Formation lies conformably upon the Sego Sandstone, the lowest
member of the Mesa Verde Group in the permit area, which in turn overlies the Mancos Shale.
The Mount Garfield Formation consists of buff to gray, fine and medium grained sandstones, light
• to dark gray shales, and includes all four of the coal bearing zones. The Cameo Seam will vary in
thickness from under five feet to over twenty five feet; often separating into two or more distinct
seams as identified on the interburden map Fgure 2.1.7.
The formation identifies the classic delta paleoenvironment in which mostcoals are formed.
The multiple coal seams and thinly laminated interbeds of sandstones and shales are evidence of
the many transgressive and regressive events which characterize the formation. The sandstones
are often lenticular and cross bedding is quite common.

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