1999-04-26_PERMIT FILE - M1999051 (2)

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nahcolite. Therefore, the potential for long-term fluid leak-off is minimized, which is essential for long term cavity stability. There is currently no way to directly measure cavity growth. Thus, cavity growth will be measured by using a material balance method. The initial under cutting (solution mining) of the cavern will be done in a thin relatively rich bed of nahcolite. The distance that this bed is undercut will be determined by measuring the amount of nahcolite that is removed by solution mining. By knowing the thickness and grade of the bed an approximation of the extent of the undercut can be determined. The gas pad then will be raised and the upper resource intervals and rich nahcolite beds will be exposed to the mining solution. The upper resource intervals average 31 percent nahcolite by weight. An approximation of the cavern growth will be determined by the location of the gas pad and the amount of nahcolite removed based on overall material balance. U-5 REFERENCES Duncan, D.C. 1976a. Preliminary geologic map of Wolf Ridge Quadrangle, Rio Blanco County, Colorado. U.S. Geol. Survey Misc. Fields Studies Map MF-753. Duncan, D.C. 1976b. Preliminary geologic map of Square S. Ranch Quadrangle, Rio Blanco County, Colorado. U.S. Geol. Survey Misc. Field Studies Map MF-754. Hardy, M.P. and R. .R. Goodrich. July, 1996. Cavern stability evaluation Rock School Lease, Rio Blanco County, Colorado for AmerAlia, Inc. Agapito Associates, Inc. Grand Junction, CO. PB-KBB. January, 1999. AmerAlia nahcolite project solution mining plan and well design. Simon, R.B. 1972, Seismicity— Rocky Mountain Assoc. of Geologists, Geologic cities of the Rocky Mountain region. Smith, R. S. and J. W. Whitney. 1979. Map of joint sets and airphoto lineaments of the Piceance Creek Basin, Northwestern Colorado. USGS Map MF-1128. G:\LMM78545.002\Reclamation\Reclamexh.DOC U-7