2010-03-15_PERMIT FILE - C1981035A ‎(8)‎

• Permit No: C1981035A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/15/2010
• Doc Name: GEOLOGY DESCRIPTION
• Section_Exhibit Name: KII 2.04.6 Geology Description
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

2.04.6 - GEOLOGY DESCRIPTION
• REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The following description is excerpted from the NEDO Project Geological
Report, contained in relevant part in Appendix 4. Additional detailed
information regarding regional and project site geology is contained in
that report.
The King I Mine and the King II Mine lie at the northwest edge of the San
Juan Basin, covering approximately 26,000 square miles of northwestern
New Mexico and southwestern Colorado. The sedimentary strata of the
basin were deposited at the western margin of a vast epeirogenic sea
occupying the central area of the North American continent during the
late Cretaceous Epoch. Extensive deposition of coal forming materials
occurred during a succession of regressive/ transgressive migrations of
the shoreline in northeast (seaward) / southwest (landward) direction.
With each successive cycle the maximum transgressive cycle shifted to
the northeast until the final disappearance of the sea. The ultimate
result was a jagged wedge of non - marine sediments in the southwestern
area of the basin, intermingling with marine strata to the northeast.
With each transgressive cycle accumulated the transitional strata of
barrier beach, marginal shore swamps (coal bearing), paludal (coal
bearing), and other lower coastal plain deposits.
LOCAL GEOLOGY
The local area is characterized by southerly to southeasterly dipping;
sedimentary rocks of late Cretaceous age which has been deeply eroded
to the north.
The uppermost formation exposed locally is the Cliff House Formation,
which is the upper member of the Mesa Verde Group. It is of marine
origin and is composed of irregular to lenticular ledges of hard, fine to
medium grained, calcareous sandstone in softer argillaceous fine
sandstone, mudstone and silty shale. The top of this formation has been
removed by erosion, leaving an average thickness of 350 feet. The Cliff
House Formation overlies the Menefee Formation.
The Menefee Formation, which is the middle member of the Mesa Verde
Group, is composed of a complex assemblage of cross - bedded
sandstones, black shales and coal beds. Up to seven coal seams have
been identified by the U. S. Geological Survey. The Menefee Formation
has an average local thickness of 300 feet. The Menefee overlies the
Point Lookout Formation.
GCC Energy, LLC King II Mine
Section 2.04.6
Page 1 October, 2008
TR -/�