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'~ 2.04.6 Geology Description <br />(2) Coal presently being mined at the New Elk Mine lies within the <br />upper Cretaceous-Tertiary Raton Formation, a heterogeneous sequence of <br />lenticular, argillaceous sandstones, siltstones, shales and coal. <br />Lithologic types are highly variable both laterally and vertically with <br />correlations being best established through the coal seams. Bedrock <br />geology in the mine area is limited to the Tertiary Poison Canyon Formation <br />and the Raton Formation as shown by Map S, Geology. The Fbison Canyon <br />Formation intermittently tops the hills in the mine vicinity and is not <br />affected by mining operations. The relative position and stratigraphy of <br />the coal beirg mined within the Raton Formation is shown in Map 7, Geologic <br />Cross Sections: <br />The mine plan area lies on the west flank of the Raton Basin, an <br />asymmetrical, north-south trendirx3 structural basin. Generally, the <br />structure of the nxks dip towards the east-northeast at approximately 2 <br />• ' percent over the area to be mined. An easterly trending normal fault was <br />encountered during the course of mining operations and was successfully <br />mined through without adverse effects. Rocks immediately above and below <br />the Allen Seam consist of interbedded sandstone, siltstone and shale. <br />A description of the surficial geology within the New Elk Mine <br />area is included under Geamrphology, Page 8, Exhibit 6, Hydrology and <br />Geology information. in order to identify potential acid-forming, toxio- <br />forming or alkalinity-producing materials, a sample of refuse leachate was <br />collected and analyzed, the results of which are presented in Exhibit B, <br />Hydrology and Geology Information. This method provides direct analysis of <br />leachate as opposed to an inferred approach achieved through point sampling <br />and analyziru~ and extrapolating data from raw rock samples. However, to <br />demonstrate correlation between the chemistry of the roof and floor of the <br />Allen and Maxwell Seams, analyses are presented side by side in Exhibit 9, <br />Overburden and Underburden Analysis. <br /> <br />2.04-9 <br /> <br />