2010-02-09_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A ‎(6)‎

• Permit No: C1982056A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 2/9/2010
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.04 Environmental Resources
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

The general geology and hydrology of this mining district has been described in previous permitting actions, i.e.
original application and updated with PR-3. During 1997 a drilling program was conducted to •fur{her define the
geologic setting in the remainder of the EMD. During this program particular attention was given to defining
the Wadge seam parting that defines the southem limit of the EMD. Drillholes 97-001 and 97-003 were used to
define the southern mining limit. Both of these holes showed an inseam parting of 1.9 - 2.5 feet and thinning of
the seam. The overlying stratigraphy is the same as previously discussed. This information was used to finalize
the mine plan as presented on Map 23.
Drill-site 97-011, which was designed for multiple holes, will be used to provide a better understanding of the
fault as it occurs in the North East sub-mains. Three borings were advanced at this location to determine the
location and magnitude of the fault. This was done,by advancing two boring on the east side of th'e fault, with
each boring intersecting the fault. Another boring was advanced on the west side of the fault into and through
~ ,the coal seam. A deviation log was run in each of the holes to allow for accurate placement of end point of
boring. This data, along with the other geophysical information, will be used to correlate depth and seam
thickness between each boring. After the data is processed, the TCC geologist will be able to provide a better
definition of the fault through the sub-mains. TCC is awaiting receipt of the fmal geophysical data •and once
available the fault definition process for this azea will be completed. The information will be used to prepare a
cut sequence through this area.
The expansion of the mine into the remainder of the EMD will see the continued development of the reserves
located in the Twentymile Park Basin. As discussed previously, this is an enclosed ground water basin which is
rimmed by outcrops of the major lithologic units. The units within this area include the Fish Creek Sandstone (a
local sandstone unit), Twentymile Sandstone, Marine shale, Wadge overburden (which includes the Wadge
seam), and the Trout Creek Sandstone (which is a marker bed for TCC). TCC has not seen any deviation in the
vertical orientation of these units over the entire property, except for displacements caused by faults.
As stated above, the Foidel Creek mine is operating in a closed ground water basin. TCC has completed
monitoring welts in the following formations within this basin: Twentymile Sandstone, Wadge Overburden,
Trout Creel Sandstone and alluvial wells in the alluvium of Foidel, Fish, Middle and Trout creeks. The
hydrologic gradients are towards the center of the basin. The EMD will continue mining to the south up dip
away from the center of the basin and immediately east of the fault and steep grade zone associated with an
anticline. As TCC continues its mining the focus of its hydrologic monitoring program will be on the
Twentymile and Trout Creek Sandstones.
The EMD fault was first encountered in the 10-Right gateroad and had a displacement of 22 to 23 feet, in the 9
right gateroad the fault had a displacement of 13 to I5.5 feet, in the 8-Right gateroad the fault had a
displacement of 8 to 15 feet, in the 7-Right gateroad the fault had a displacement of 8 to 10 feet and in the 6
Right gateroad the fault had a displacement of 13 feet. The faults were relatively dry when encountered and did
not yield significant flows to the mine. This is evidenced in the Annual Inflow reports.
The mine plan has been designed to eliminate mining through the fault and up the steep grade in longwall panels
7-Right through 2-Right. TCC mined through the fault and the steep grade zone in the 9-Right and 8-Right
longwall panels before making the decision not to mine through these conditions again. This combination of
mining conditions makes it impossible to mine coal in an efficient and economic manner.
During the development of the 6-Right gateroad inflows were encountered from the Wadge Overburden
between crosscuts 24 to 27. The initial inflow was measured at approximately 265 to 275 gallons per minute.
Maximum inflow rates have leveled off to 65 gallons per minute (2001 & 2002 monitoring). The source of the
water is-from the roof. No vertical or horizontal offsets were observed; therefore the inflow was not from fault.
TCC enlisted the assistance of a consultant (James G. Nalven Consulting) to obtain a better understanding of the
reason for the inflow in this area. This is the most water TCC has encountered form a single azea since mining
• was initiated in the eazly 1980's. Mr. Nalven visited the mine site on December 2nd and 3rd, 1997, to investigate
the source of the inflow.
PR06-07 2.04-16.1 11/07/06