1981-11-13_PERMIT FILE - C1981013 ‎(35)‎

• Permit No: C1981013
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 11/13/1981
• Doc Name: Environmental Resources
• Section_Exhibit Name: Volume 1 Rule 2.04
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Revised 11/15/81
2.04.6 Geology Description
The geology of the area which will be affected by the Maxwell Mine over
the life of the operation consists of formations of the Raton and Poison
Canyon which outcrop in the life of mine area. The Geology Map (Map 6)
shows the surface geology of the area which will be affected during
mining. The Geologic Cross Sections Map (Map 7) shows the relative
structure associated with the coal seams to be mined at the Maxwell
Mine. Generally, the structure of the rocks dip towards the northeast
at approximately 2 percent over the area to be mined. Minor faulting
within local areas of the mine plan area are expected as has been
experienced at the adjacent Allen Mine. Additional structural geologic
descriptions are shown in Exhibit 6, Hydrology and Geology Information.
The general stratigraphy of the area affected by the Maxwell Mine
consists of the Poison Canyon, Raton, and Vermejo Formations. The coal
seam which is being mined at the Maxwell Mine is the Maxwell Seam. The
Maxwell Mine is adjacent to CF&I Steel Corporation' s operating Allen
Mine which is located in the Allen Seam. The Maxwell Seam is located in
the Raton Formation of Cretaceous Age. Rocks immediately above the
Maxwell Seam consist of interlaminated shales, sandstones, and
siltstones. In addition, shale, sandstone and siltstone also underlay
the Maxwell Seam. Logs of holes which have been drilled throughout the
exploration phase of the Maxwell Mine area are shown in Exhibit 6,
Hydrology and Geology Information.
Little or no groundwater has been encountered during the exploration
activities which CF&I Steel Corporation has conducted to define the
mineable coal reserve for the Maxwell Mine. However, during
construction of the mine, small amounts of water were encountered when
the coal bed was intersected by mine development. Minor amounts of
water were also encountered with the other small minor coal beds which
were penetrated during access to the Maxwell Seam. The discontinuity of
the sandstones, shales, and coal seams do not allow for significant
permeability and transport of groundwater through the area to be
2.04-5