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Section 2.04.6 <br />GEOLOGY DESCRIPTION <br />The physiography and regional geology including structure and stratigraphy for the New Horizon <br />North (NHN) area are discussed in section 2.04.5. The NHN area is located immediately <br />adjacent (to the north) of the New Horizon Mine. Western Fuels- Colorado, LLC's (WFC) <br />experience at the New Horizon Mine has provided the detailed geologic knowledge that is the <br />basis for the site specific geology description that follows. As such, this permit application <br />draws heavily on the data and interpretations that are contained in "The New Horizon Mining <br />and Reclamation Plan, Coal Mining Permit C -81 -008" and its revisions. The permit application <br />boundary for the NHN area is shown on Map 2.03.4 -1. <br />Site Specific Geology <br />For a period of more than 23 years, Peabody Coal Company (the predecessor to WFC) gathered <br />and analyzed detailed information on the geology of New Horizon 1 Mine (and adjacent areas) <br />which is located between the NHN Mine area and the New Horizon 2 permit area (see Map <br />2.03.4 -1). Peabody drilled 444 holes (including coreholes) in assessing the geology of the area. <br />WFC has supplemented that data with the drilling of an additional 311 holes which began in <br />1991. Along with the data generated by the drilling, both Peabody and WFC have conducted: <br />geologic mapping, topographic mapping, and aerial photography; conducted field investigations; <br />made observations while mining; and conducted groundwater /surface water monitoring and <br />collected both groundwater and surface water quality data. This data is available as reference in <br />Coal Mining Permit C -81 -008 and provides background as well as baseline information for <br />ground water and surface water hydrology, soils, and revegetation sections covered later in this <br />permit application package. <br />Topography WFC's NHN Mine permit area is located three miles northwest of Nucla in <br />Montrose County, Colorado. In relation to regional drainage systems, the study area is located in <br />the upper reaches of Tuttle Draw, tributary to the San Miguel River. New aerial photography <br />and topographic mapping was conducted in October of 2008. Aerial photography and <br />topographic mapping were conducted utilizing side scanning "LIDAR" methods. Topo mapping <br />consisted of mapping at both 2 foot and 5 foot contour intervals. <br />Surface elevations within the permit area range from a high of 5,790 feet (MSL) in the northeast <br />corner, to a low of about 5,540 feet (MSL) in the southernmost part where the permit area <br />(equipment corridor) crosses Tuttle Draw. Map 2.04.6 -1 shows the topography of NHN Mine <br />and adjacent area (contour interval 10 feet) and also shows existing drill hole locations and the <br />location of Cross Sections A -A' and B -B'. The total topographic relief for the permit area is <br />250 feet. <br />Section 2.04.6 Page 1 April 2011 <br />