STATE OF MONTANA
Thomas L. Judge, Governor
December 1Q73
BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
S. L. Groff, Dkector
QUALITY AND RESERVES OF STRIPPABLE COAL,
SELECTED DEPOSITS, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
by
Robert E. Matson and John W. Blumer
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
Analytical Data by
Laurence A. Wegelin
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STATE OF MONTANA
BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
S. L. Groff, Director
BULLETIN 91
QUALITY AND RESERVES OF STRIPPABLE COAL,
SELECTED DEPOSITS,
SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
by
Robert E. Matson and John W. Blumer
Analytical Data by
Laurence A. Wegelin
MONTANA COLLEGE OF MINERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Butte, Montana
1974
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Distributed by
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
Room 203-B, Main Hall
Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology
Butte, Montana 59701
Editors-Ralph H. King, Kimberly Bawden
Chief Draftsman-Roger Holmes
Composer Typist-Eleanor Herndon
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CONTENTS
Page
Abstract 1
Introduction ...... ...... 1
Background for study ... .1
Purpose and scope . . . . . 2
Location and extent of area . ... . 2
Field work . . . .2
Field methods ... 4
Previous geologic work . . .... .... ... 4
Land ownership . . . . . .... . .4
Geography .... . 6
Surface features and land use . . ... 6
Population . . . . . . • • 6
Transportation ... ... .... . . . 6
Climate ..... . 6
Water supply . . 7
Stratigraphy . . .......... .7
Fort Union Formation . . .... 7
Tongue River Member . .... 8
Lebo Member ... . . 8
Tulloch Member ... . .... 8
Wasatch Formation ... .... .9
Geologic structure . .... ..... 9
Coal . . 9
Coal quantity . . .... . 9
Burning of the coal ... . ... 9
Coal quality . . . 13
Coal beds . .... ... 13
Reserve estimates. ... . . .18
Strippable coal deposits . ... . . 18
Decker area. ... ... 18
Kirby coal deposit . . . . .... 31
Canyon Creek coal deposit ... .... . 37
Bimey coal deposit . . . . .42
Poker Jim Lookout coal deposit .... . . 46
Hanging Woman Creek coal deposit. . .... 49
West Moorhead coal deposit . . . 57
Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek coal deposit . ... 62
Otter Creek coal deposit ... ... 66
Ashland coal deposit ... . 71
Colstrip coal deposit.... . .... 76
Pumpkin Creek coal deposit . 82
Foster Creek coal deposit . . .84
Broadus coal deposit . . . . 89
East Moorhead coal deposit ... . 92
Diamond Butte, Goodspeed Butte. and Fire Gulch coal deposit . 95
Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit . . . 101
Yager Butte coal deposit . . ... . . . 103
Sonnette and Threemile Buttes coal deposit . . 107
Home Creek Butte coal deposit . . .114
Little Pumpkin Creek coal deposit . 115
Sand Creek coal deposit ... . 117
iii
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CONTENTS (continued)
Page
Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit ... . . 119
Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal deposit. . . . .123
Pine Hills coal deposit ... 126
Knowlton coal deposit . ... 129
References . . . • 134
ILLUSTRATIONS
Plate
Index to plates . ... Inbox
1. Decker ... Inbox
2. Deer Creek. . ....... .In box
3. Roland . . . . . Inbox
4. Squirrel Creek . . .In box
5. Kirby. . . . . . . Inbox
A. Anderson and Wall . . . ... Inbox
B. Dietz. . . .... . . In box
C. Canyon . . . . . .In box
6. Canyon Creek. . . . .In box
A. Wall . . - . Inbox
B. Canyon .... In box
7. Birney . . Inbox
8. Poker Jim Lookout . .In box
9. Hanging Woman Creek ... . Inbox
A. Anderson . In box
B. Dietz . .In box
10. West Moorhead . In box
A. Anderson .In box
B. Dietz. ... In box
C. Canyon . . ... Inbox
11. Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek . . . Inbox
A. South half . . . Inbox
B. North half In box
12. Otter Creek. . Inbox
13. Ashland . . .In box
A. Knobloch . In box
B. A, C, and Sawyer. . . .... In box
14. Colstrip . . Inbox
15. Pumpkin Creek . ... Inbox
16. Foster Creek . Inbox
A. Knobloch . . In box
B. Terret . . . . . In box
C. Flowers-Goodale . . . In box
17. Broadus . . . In box
18. East Moorhead . .. Inbox
19. Diamond Butte In box
20. Goodspeed Butte . .In box
21. Fire Creek . . Inbox
22. Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek. . . . Inbox
23. Yager Butte. . . . Inbox
A. Elk and Dunning . In box
B. Cook and Wall. . In box
iv
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ILLUSTRATIONS (continued)
Hate
24. Threemile Buttes ... . . In box
25. Sonnette ... . . Inbox
A. Pawnee . . . . .... Inbox
B. Cook.... ... . . In box
26. Home Creek Butte .... In box
27. Little Pumpkin Creek . . . - .Inbox
28. Sand Creek...... . In box
29. Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek ... . Inbox
30. Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek . . .In box
31. Pine Hills . . . . Inbox
32. Knowlton . . . Inbox
A. South half . ... . . Inbox
B. North half . . In box
33. Cross sections .... .In box
34. Cross sections . ..... .In box
Figure Page
1. Index map showing area discussed in this report. . . 3
2. Index map showing areas of previous coal studies 5
3. Structure contour map of Montana portion of Powder River Basin . . 10
4. Columnar sections showing relationship of coal beds in northern part of area . 12
TABLES
Table
1. Coal reserves, acreage, and tons per acre, selected strippable coal deposits 11
Decker area
2. Coal reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre in
Decker, Deer Creek, Roland, and Squirrel Creek 19
3. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value 20
4. Trace-element analysis . . 22
5. Trace-element analysis, ppm coal, ppm ash . . 23
6. Major ash constituents . . 24
Deer Creek
7. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . 25
8. Major ash constituents . ... 26
Roland
9. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . 27
10. Major ash constituents ... 28
Squirrel Creek
11. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . 29
12. Major ash constituents . . 30
Kirby
13. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre 32
14. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . 34
15. Major ash constituents 36
Canyon Creek
16. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . 37
17. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . 38
18. Major ash constituents ... 41
Birney
19. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre 42
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TABLES (continued)
Table Page
Birney (continued)
20. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value 43
21. Major ash constituents . .44
Poker Jim Lookout
22. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . . . 46
23. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value 47
24. Major ash constituents . . .48
Hanging Woman Creek
25. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . 49
26. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value ... . .50
27. Major ash constituents . ..... 54
West Moorhead
28. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre ... 58
29. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . 59
30. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value . . 60
31. Grindability, forms of sulfur, fusibility of ash °F . .... 60
32. Major ash constituents ... . .... .61
Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek
33. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . 63
34. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . 64
35. Major ash constituents ..... . .65
Otter Creek
36. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . .67
37. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . .... 68
38. Major ash constituents . 70
Ashland
39. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . 71
40. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value .... . 72
41. Major ash constituents . ...... . . 74
Colstrip
42. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . .76
43. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value . . 78
44. Forms of sulfur and fusibility of ash °F 80
Pumpkin Creek
45. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre ... 82
46. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value, fusibility of ash °F . . 83
Foster Creek
47. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . 85
48. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value. . . . 86
49. Forms of sulfur, fusibility of ash °F. . ... . . 87
50. Major ash constituents . ... . . 88
Broadus
51. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . 90
52. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value . . . . 91
53. Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash °F .... 91
East Moorhead
54. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . 92
55. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . 93
56. Major ash constituents . . . . 94
Diamond Butte
57. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre
(Diamond Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and Fire Gulch) . . .95
vi
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TABLES (continued)
Table Page
Diamond Butte (continued)
58. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value .96
59. Major ash constituents . ...... . . . . .97
Goodspeed Butte
60. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . .... .98
61. Major ash constituents . . . 98
Fire Gulch
62. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . 99
63. Major ash constituents .... ... 99
Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek
64. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . .101
65. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . . .102
66. Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash °F ... . . . 102
Yager Butte
67. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . .103
68. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . 104
69. Major ash constituents . . . . . 106
Sonnette
70. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre
(Sonnette and Threemile Buttes) . . . .109
71. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value .... 110
72. Major ash constituents .... Ill
Threemile Buttes
73. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . . . . ... 112
74. Major ash constituents ... . . 113
Home Creek
75. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . 114
Little Pumpkin Creek
76. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre 115
Sand Creek
77. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre 117
78. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value 118
79. Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash °F . ... .118
Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek
80. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre 120
81. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value . ... .121
82. Major ash constituents . . ..... 122
Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek
83. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre .... 123
84. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value 124
85. Major ash constituents . . . . . ... .125
Pine Hills
86. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre 127
87. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value, forms of sulfur 128
88. Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash °F . . 128
Knowlton
89. Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons per acre . . 129
90. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, heating value ... . . . 130
91. Major ash constituents . . 132
vu
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QUALITY AND RESERVES OF STRIPPABLE COAL,
SELECTED DEPOSITS,
SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
By Robert E. Matson and John W. Blumer
ABSTRACT
Quality and quantity of strippable subbituminous and lignite coal in 32 deposits are de-
scribed, and coal distribution is shown on 46 plates. All of the coal is classified as low in sulfur
except the Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit; its reported sulfur content exceeds 1% in
four core samples. Total strippable reserves are 32 billion tons on 770,000 acres.
Proximate analyses, forms of sulfur, calorific values, and major ash constituents of the coal
samples are tabulated.
The report includes the results of Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology projects in coopera-
tion with Burlington Northern, Inc., and with the Office of Fuel Resources, Environmental
Protection Agency, supported by special appropriations by the Legislature.
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND FOR STUDY
In recent years, concern about the environment has
resulted in legislative restrictions on SOa emissions from
fore seeking low-sulfur fuel to help them to comply with
these regulations.
In the late sixties, the National Air Pollution Control
coal-fired power plants. The power companies are there- Administration, U.S. Department of Health, Education,
Dr. Albert P. Talboys, in 1969 the acting Chief of the Office
of Fuel Resources, National Air Pollution Control Administration,
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now the Air
Pollution Control Office of the Environmental Protection
Agency), encouraged and supported the major project. The assis-
tance and cooperation of Dr. S.L. Groff, State Geologist and Di-
rector of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (then Chief
of the Ground Water and Mineral Fuels Division of the Montana
Bureau of Mines and Geology), in obtaining this grant is also appre-
ciated. Charles D. Yaffe, former Director, Don R. Goodwin, for-
mer Acting Director, and Robert L. Ajax, Chief of the Division of
Control Agency Development, facilitated administration of this
project. Russel C. Flegal and Robert M. Jimeson, Physical Science
Administrators, aided in the completion of this project. Frederick
W. Lawrence, Chief of the Washington Liaison Staff of the En-
vironmental Protection Agency, provided support for the project.
Henry C. Steed, Chief of the Grants Operation Branch of the En-
vironmental Protection Agency, expedited fourth year project
funds.
Several Federal agencies cooperated with the Bureau on this
project. Elmer M. Schell, Area Geologist, Northern Rocky Moun-
tain area, Mineral Classification Branch of the U.S. Geological
Survey in Casper, Wyoming, took an active interest in the field
program as it was executed, and he reviewed the report previous
to publication. The Bureau of Land Management provided special
use permits for drilling test holes on federally owned coal lands,
and the Forest Service also provided such permits on the Custer
National Forest within the mapped area. Both the Bureau of Land
Management and the U.S. Forest ervice also provided colored
photos and high altitude infrared photographs where available.
The Pittsburgh Energy Research Center, under Forest E. Walker
and Roy S. Abemathy, provided control samples and advice on
analytical techniques.
George Nugent and John R. Ratchye of Rosebud Coal Sales
Company provided data useful in evaluation of the Decker and
Deer Creek coal deposits. Graham R. Curtis of Gulf Mineral Re-
sources helped to name and correlate the coal beds and provided
data on the Kirby coal deposit. Ernest Thurlow, Barney Binon,
Loren Williams, and Peter Mattson of Burlington Northern, Inc.,
provided data for this report. Loren Williams also compiled sev-
eral of the maps in this report from field data.
Over the four-year period, many student assistants, graduate
assistants, and staff members of the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology worked on various aspects of the project. Wayne Van
Voast, associated with the project during 1969 and 1970, con-
ducted the field program in the latter part of the 1969 field sea-
son and the 1970 field season. Others who worked on the project
are Eldon Woods, draftsman for the Bureau, Gardar G. Danl,
Michael R. Garverich, Charles Speake, Jr., Melvin Granberg, Leon-
ard Maki, Van Heare, and Robert Lambeth. Recognition is due
the staff involved in the compilation of the final report, includ-
ing Mrs. Mayme Domme, Mrs. Dorothy Ratcliff, Miss Sheila
McCarthy, Mrs. Carol Blankenship, and Miss Vonnie Lave)'<-.
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STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
and Welfare (now the Air Pollution Control Office of the
Environmental Protection Agency) recognized the need
for information about the quality and quantity of low-
sulfur western coal, as well as about economic conditions
that would permit use of this coal to assist in combating
air pollution. The Air Pollution Control Office of the
Environmental Protection Agency began efforts to evalu-
ate western coals in cooperation with agencies in various
states, including the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geol-
ogy, and with other Federal agencies.
The Fort Union coal region of eastern Montana was
of interest because of the known reserves of low-sulfur
subbituminous and lignite coal minable by surface meth-
ods. Characteristics of the topography and the thickness
of the coal beds make possible the mining of large quan-
tities of coal from relatively small, compact areas, which
facilitates reclamation. Coal beds 25 to 60 feet thick are
not uncommon, and in the Decker area the coal in a
single bed reaches a thickness of 80 feet.
Production of coal from thick seams by strip mining
is much less costly and much less hazardous for the work-
men than production by underground operations. Fur-
thermore, 90% of the coal can be recovered by surface
mining, whereas only 50 to 55% can be recovered by
underground methods.
Dr. Albert P. Talboys (then acting chief of the Office
of Fuel Resources for the National Air Pollution Control
Administration) and Dr. S.L. Groff, State Geologist and
Director of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology,
began preliminary planning early in 1969. In June 1969,
the Office of Air Pollution Control of the Environmental
Protection Agency approved a matching grant (Grant No.
69A-2901D), which was followed by Grant No. 70 (70B-
2901D) for the second, third, and fourth years. The tide
of the project proposal was "Field Evaluation of Eastern
Montana's Low-Sulfur, Low-Air-Pollutant Lignite and
Subbituminous Coal Reserves." The funds granted by the
Environmental Protection Agency were matched on an
almost equal basis by the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this project was to acquire qualitative
and quantitative information on selected strippable de-
posits of subbituminous and lignite coal in southeastern
Montana. That area was chosen because it was known to
contain the highest-ranked coal of the Fort Union For-
mation, whereas most of the coal in the rest of eastern
Montana ranked as lignite. Higher-ranked coal was pre-
ferred to lignite because of the expectation that much of
the coal would be shipped long distances as a substitute
for coal of higher sulfur content then being mined in the
midwestern and eastern coal areas. Subbituminous coal
has higher Btu (British thermal unit) content and less
moisture than lignite. On the "as received" basis, the per-
centage of sulfur is about the same, but when sulfur con-
tent per million Btu is computed, the subbituminous
coals have a distinct advantage. Transportation cost on a
"cents per million Btu" basis also favors subbituminous
coal over lignite.
Portions of Big Horn, Rosebud, Powder River, and
Custer Counties were mapped to determine the strippable
coal in various coal beds in the Tongue River Member of
the Fort Union Formation. The report describes the re-
sults of this four-year project and also some work com-
pleted earlier.
Some of the work done prior to the start of the EPA
project was done by the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology in cooperation with Burlington Northern, Inc.,
beginning in 1966, when the Foster Creek coal field was
evaluated (Gilmour and Williams, 1969). In 1967 and
1968, cooperative projects continued, and the Broadus,
Sand Creek, Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek, and Pine Hills
coal deposits were mapped. Also during 1968, the Bureau
completed most of the field work on the West Moorhead
coal field (Matson, 1971), the results of which are in-
cluded in the present publication. The Colstrip and
Pumpkin Creek areas, previously mapped by Burlington
Northern, are also included.
All available private-company drill-hole information
was used in the same manner as project field data. Much
information about the Decker and Kirby coal fields was
provided by the Rosebud Coal Sales Company, Gulf
Mineral Resources Company, and Pat McDonough. Where
available, oil-well electronic logs greatly aided in the cor-
relation of the coal beds.
LOCATION AND EXTENT OF AREA
The area described in this report includes parts of Big
Horn, Rosebud, Powder River, and Custer Counties,
Montana (Fig. 1). The Crow Indian Reservation and the
Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation were excluded
from this study. The Sarrpy Creek area was also excluded
because of the large amount of coal under Indian tribal
ownership.
FIELD WORK
Most of the field work for the major project was done
during the summers of 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972.
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LOCATION AND EXTENT OF AREA
l
MONTANA
-^HAROIN I
! CHEYENNE ;
' INDIAN ,
RESERVATION'
CROW
INDIAN
RESERVATION
Figure 1.-Index map showing area discussed in this report.
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STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
During these periods, 284 project holes were drilled and
3,272 feet of coal core obtained. Of these totals, 74 holes
were drilled in 1969, and 1317 feet of coal core ob-
tained; 105 holes were drilled in 1970, and 1,244 feet of
core obtained; 75 holes were drilled in 1971, and 692
feet of core obtained; and 10 holes were drilled in 1972,
and 19 feet of core obtained. Most of the field work in
1972 consisted of surface mapping of coal outcrops, burn
lines, and geologic structures in the Decker-Birney area.
Small amounts of additional drilling during the late fall
and winter of 1972 and early 1973 yielded information
needed for completion of the overburden maps within
that area. Additional drill data and core analyses useful
to this project were obtained from a related project spon-
sored by the Mineral Classification Branch of the U.S.
Geological Survey and incorporated in this report.
FIELD METHODS
The field method utilized in this project was patterned
after that developed by Burlington Northern, Inc., (Car-
michael, 1967) and was modified to fit varying condi-
tions. As the method was originally developed to evaluate
area's where adequate topographic maps were not avail-
able, it included the setting of temporary bench marks by
leveling and the measuring of topographic configurations
by altimeter surveys. Concurrently with the altimeter
survey, coal outcrops, clinker, and burn lines were
mapped; holes were drilled to permit measurement of the
thickness of the coal and to obtain core samples for analy-
sis of coal quality. Areas including Colstrip (PI. 14),
Pumpkin Creek (PI. 15), Broadus (PI. 17), Sand Creek
(PI. 28), Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek (PI. 22), Pine Hills
(PI. 31), and West Moorhead (PI. 10A, B, and C) were
mapped by this method.
Our modifications of the Burlington Northern field
method included use of an American Paulin microbaro-
graph for recording variations in air pressure and use of a
computer for correcting altimeter elevations for changes
in temperature and pressure. In other areas, topographic
maps on a scale of 1:24,000 prepared by the U.S. Geo-
logical Survey Topographic Mapping Branch were avail-
able. In these areas, the principal field work consisted of
determination of drill-hole locations and access, surface
mapping, and drilling and coring. During the drilling oper-
ation, a driller's log showing the lithologic sequence was
compiled, lithologic samples were obtained, and coal beds
were cored for analysis where possible. After the com-
pletion of each drill hole, geophysical logs showing resis-
tivity, spontaneous potential, and natural gamma were
obtained, except in 1969 when the logging unit was not
available. Collar altitude at each drill hole was measured
by aneroid altimeter from the nearest point of known al-
titude and is thought to be accurate within 5 feet. Almost
all project drill holes were plotted and all coal outcrops,
clinker, and burn lines were mapped on 7^-minute topo-
graphic quadrangle maps where available or on aerial
photos if topographic maps were not available. Cores
taken during the drilling were inspected, measured, and
wrapped in cellophane for delivery to the Montana
Bureau of Mines and Geology analytical laboratory.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
All of the area included in this report had been mapped
previously by the US. Geological Survey, and parts had
been mapped by the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology (Fig. 2). The US. Bureau of Mines published a
report (Ayler, Smith, and Deutman, 1969) on various
strippable coal deposits in Montana. A recent map of the
Decker quadrangle (Law and Grazis, 1972) has been
placed on open file. A two-part report entitled "Prelimi-
nary Summary Report of the Strippable Low-Sulfur Coals
of Southeastern Montana" (Part 1) by Robert E. Matson
and Wayne A. Van Voast and "Markets for Montana
Coal" (Part 2) by Cameron Engineers, was prepared and
placed on open file in 1970.
LAND OWNERSHIP
The largest coal owner in the area discussed in this re-
port is the Federal Government. Burlington Northern,
Inc., is the next-largest coal owner, as a result of the land
grant of 1864 that gave the railroad all available odd-
numbered sections in an area 60 miles on each side of
railroad right-of-way. Within that large area, the principal
coal ownership is about equally divided between the Fed-
eral Government and Burlington Northern, Inc. The State
of Montana is the next-largest owner of coal in south-
eastern Montana, as two sections per township were
granted to the state for school land. Private individuals
own some coal throughout the area.
The VS. Bureau of Land Management and US. Forest
Service in the Decker-Birney resource study (1972), esti-
mated the coal ownership in the Decker-Birney area (an
area south of the land grant to Burlington Northern, Inc.)
as 88% federal, 5% state, and 7% private. Of the federally-
owned coal, 18% is within the boundaries of the Custer
National Forest. The surface ownership in the Decker-
Birney resource study area is 26% federal (17% within
the Custer National Forest), 5% state, and 69% private.
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PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
Ekalaka
Figure 2.—Index map showing areas of previous coal studies.
1. 1909. COLLIER, A.J., and SMITH, C.D., The Miles City coal
field, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 341-A, p. 36-61.
2. 1910. WEGEMANN, C.H., Notes on coals of Custer National
Forest, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 381-A, p. 108-114.
3. 1912. BOWEN, C.F., The Baker lignite field, Custer County,
Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 471-D, p. 202-226.
4. 1924. BAUER, C.M., The Ekalaka lignite field, southeastern
Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 751-F, p. 231-267.
5. 1929. BAKER, A.A., The northward extension of the Sheridan
coal field, Big Horn and Rosebud Counties, Montana: U.S.
Geol. Survey Bull. 806-B, p. 15-67.
6. 1930. DOBBIN, C.E., The Forsyth coal field, Rosebud,
Treasure, and Big Horn Counties, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey
Bull. 812-A, p. 1-55.
7. 1932. BASS, N.W., The Ashland coal field, Rosebud, Powder
River, and Custer Counties, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull.
831-B,p. 19-105.
8. 1936. PIERCE, W.C., The Rosebud coal field, Rosebud and
Custer Counties, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 847-B,
p. 43-120.
9. 1939. PARKER, F.S., and ANDREWS, D.A., The Mizpah
coal field, Custer County, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull.
906-C, p. 85-133.
10. 1952. BRYSON, R.P., The Coalwood coal field. Powder River
County, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 973-B, p. 23-106.
11. 1954. BROWN, ANDREW, and others, Strippable coal in
Custer and Powder River Counties, Montana: U.S. Geol. Sur-
vey Bull. 995-E, p. 151-199.
12. 1954. KEPFERLE, R.C., Selected deposits of Strippable coal
in central Rosebud County, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull.
995-1, p. 333-381.
13. 1959. WARREN, W.C., Reconnaissance geology of theBimey-
Broadus coal field, Rosebud and Powder River Counties, Mon-
tana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1072-J, p. 561-585.
14. 1966. BRYSON, R.P., and BASS, N.W., Geologic map and
coal sections of the Moorhead coal field, Montana: U.S. Geol.
Survey Open-file Rept., 37 fig., 3 tables, in 15 sheets.
15. 1969. GILMOUR, E.H., and WILLIAMS, L.A., Geology and
coal resources of the Foster Creek coal deposit, eastern Mon-
tana: Montana Bur. Mines and Geology Bull. 73, 9 p.
Northern Pacific Railway Company cooperative proj-
ects with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology in 1966
and 1967.
16. 1968.MATSON,R.E.,DAHL,G.G.,JR..andBLUMER, J.W.,
Strippable coal deposits on state land, Powder River County,
Montana: Montana Bur. Mines and Geology Bull. 69, 81 p.
17. 1935. THOM, W.T., JR., HALL, G.M., WEGEMANN, C.H.,
and MOULTON, G.F., Geology of Big Horn County and the
Crow Indian Reservation, Montana, with special reference to
the water, coal, oil, and gas resources: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull
856, 200 p.
18. 1967. CARM1CHAEL, V.W., The Pumpkin Creek lignite de-
posit. Powder River County, Montana: Unpub. thesis, 79 p.
19. 1923. ROGERS, G.S., and LEE, WALLACE, Geology of the
Tullock Creek coal field. Rosebud and Big Horn Counties,
Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 749, 181 p.
20. 1972. LAW, B.E., and GRAZ1S, S.L., Preliminary geologic
map and coal resources of the Decker quadrangle, Big Horn
County, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Open-file Rept., 3 sheets.
-------
STR1PPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
GEOGRAPHY
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The principal surface features in the study area are the
north- and northeast-trending drainages of Rosebud
Creek, Tongue River, Powder River, and the larger tribu-
taries of the Tongue River such as Hanging Woman Creek,
Otter Creek, and Pumpkin Creek. All of these occupy
broad valleys, which abut the edges of steep-sided ridges.
The ridges are benched where resistant clinker is en-
countered. The tops of most of the divides are gently
rolling and covered with grass. Ponderosa pine thrives on
the areas of clinker and also marks the breaks where the
sides steepen and become dissected.
Livestock grazing is the principal land use. Some hay
is raised in meadows along the major valley bottoms,
which are either irrigated or sub-irrigated, and some
grains, such as wheat, oats, and barley, are cultivated. A
small lumbering industry is supported in and around the
Ashland area.
POPULATION
Big Horn, Rosebud, Powder River, and Custer Coun-
ties had a total population in 1970 of 23,993. As stated
previously, the area discussed in this report includes only
parts of these counties, and the total population within
the report area would be somewhat fewer than the stated
figure.
The population density of the four-county area ranges
between 0.9 person per square mile in Powder River
County and 3.2 persons per square mile in Custer County.
Big Horn County's population density is 2.0 persons per
square mile; Rosebud County's is 1.2 persons per square
mile. From 1950 to 1970, Big Horn, Custer, and Powder
River Counties had a small increase in population, while
Rosebud County had an 8.2% decrease. The trend has al-
ready been reversed in Rosebud County as a result of the
increased mining and construction activity at Colstrip.
TRANSPORTATION
The aiea discussed in this report is served by Burling-
ton Northern, Inc., and by the Chicago-Milwaukee-Saint
Paul Pacific Railroad, both of which pass through Forsyth
along the Yellowstone River. The Milwaukee turns north-
west at Forsyth and passes through Roundup to the west.
The Burlington Northern follows the south side of the
Yellowstone River eastward through Miles City and west-
ward through Billings. The southern part of the area is tra-
versed by the Burlington Northern line that extends
southeastward from Huntley (a short distance east of
Billings) through Sheridan and Gillette, Wyoming, and
into the midwest. Burlington Northern spur lines extend
south from a point west of Forsyth to Colstrip to serve
the Western Energy mine and Peabody Coal Company's
Big Sky mine, and south along Sarpy Creek to the West-
moreland Coal Company mine. A third spur starting a
short distance east of Sheridan extends northward to
Decker to serve the Decker Coal Company mine.
Interstate Highway 94 passes through Forsyth and
eastward through Miles City and westward through Bil-
lings. Interstate Highway 90 extends from Billings south-
eastward through Sheridan, Wyoming. The central part
of the area is traversed by US. Highway 212 from Billings,
through Hardin, Crow Agency, and Broadus to Colony,
Wyoming, and by U.S. Highway 312 connecting Broadus
and Miles City. Highway 315 extends from a junction a
few miles west of Forsyth southward to Colstrip and
Lame Deer. A blacktop road extends from Acme, Wyo-
ming, to a junction a few miles north of Decker, and an-
other blacktop road extends from Busby south to the
south boundary of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reser-
vation. Highway 319, at the eastern edge of the area,
connects Broadus with Gillette, Wyoming. Improved
roads follow the Tongue River north of Decker to the
junction with Highway 312 a few miles south of Miles
City. Other improved roads connect Ashland, Otter Creek,
and Hanging Woman Creek to Decker. Most of the other
roads are gravel or graded dirt roads that become difficult
to use during periods of heavy precipitation and during
the winter.
CLIMATE
The climate of Big Horn, Powder River, Rosebud, and
Custer Counties is characterized by warm summers, cold
winters, and pronounced variations in seasonal precipi-
tation.
Although the annual precipitation in the area varies
from less than 12 inches to 16 inches a year, depending
on the location or the altitude, the greatest amount of
precipitation generally occurs at the highest altitudes
such as the divides between the major drainages. April,
May, June, July, and August are the periods of heaviest
precipitation. The largest average monthly precipitation
is during June. The highest temperatures occur in July
and the lowest in January; the annual mean temperature
is about 45 degrees.
-------
STRATIGRAPHY
WATER SUPPLY
The area is drained by the northward- and north-
eastward-flowing Rosebud Creek, Powder River, Tongue
River, and their tributaries. All major drainages enter
Yellowstone River. Rosebud Creek joins it near Rosebud,
which is east of Forsyth, the Tongue River enters at Miles
City, and the Powder River near Terry. The principal
tributaries of the Tongue River, such as Pumpkin Creek,
Otter Creek, and Hanging Woman Creek, and the princi-
pal tributary of the Powder River, Mizpah Creek, are all
intermittent streams. That is, at times there is no flow al-
though water stands in ponds or pools throughout the
year. The maximum discharge in the major drainages
normally is during the spring runoff in May and June.
Powder River has flooded during periods of heavy pre-
cipitation. Gaging stations of the U.S. Geological Survey
are located on the Powder River near Moorhead and at
locations south of Terry, on the Little Powder River near
Broadus, and on the Tongue River below the Tongue
River Dam and near Miles City. Sites for collecting data
on the quality of water are at Decker and near Miles City
on the Tongue River.
The Tongue River Reservoir in T. 8 and 9 S., R.40 E.,
has a present storage capacity estimated at 68,000 acre-
feet, and of this amount, 32,000 acre-feet is under con-
tract for irrigation. Before water can be used for any
other purpose, the approval of the Tongue River Water
Users Association is needed. An engineering study of a
high Tongue River dam, proposed to be constructed sev-
eral miles north of the present dam, has been completed
for the Montana Department of Natural Resources by
Bechtel Corporation. Another site, which would provide
industrial water, is the proposed Moorhead dam and res-
ervoir a few miles north of the Montana-Wyoming bor-
der. The proposed reservoir would have a capacity of
1,150,000 acre-feet, of which approximately 92,500 acre-
feet would be allocated for industrial use.
Except for Rosebud Creek, Powder River, and Tongue
River, very little surface water is available in the area. Al-
though numerous small reservoirs along the tributaries of
the major drainages provide small supplies of stock water,
most water for domestic, livestock, and agricultural use
is obtained from wells. The alluvium along the drainages
and the sandstone and coal beds in the Fort Union and
Hell Creek Formations (Perry, 1935, p. 40-43) are the
principal sources of ground water. Interest in the develop-
ment of coal deposits has stimulated evaluation of the
ground-water resources. Current work by the Montana
Bureau of Mines and Geology Hydrology Division in-
cludes water-evaluation studies at the Decker mine site,
in an area west of Decker at Youngs Creek in T. 9 S.,
R. 38 E., which is on the Crow Indian Reservation, at
Western Energy mine at Colstrip, and at Westmoreland
Resources mine at Sarpy Creek. The Billings office of the
U.S. Geological Survey is conducting an inventory on
water levels and water quality throughout the Montana
portion of the Powder River Basin.
STRATIGRAPHY
FORT UNION FORMATION
The coal beds described in this report are in the
Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation
(Paleocene). The Fort Union includes three members
which are, from top to bottom, the Tongue River, Lebo,
and Tulloch.
The Fort Union Formation was named by Meek and
Hayden (1861, p. 433) for old Fort Union, which was
situated near the junction of the Missouri and Yellowstone
Rivers. Subsequent field work in eastern Montana resulted
in the division of the Fort Union into three members on
the basis of color, lithology, topographic expression, and
occurrence of coal, which were convenient criteria for
division of the formation into mappable units.
Along the Yellowstone River between Rosebud and
Glendive, the Fort Union Formation is divisible into its
members on the basis of color alone—the dark Lebo bed
contrasts with the light-colored Tulloch beds below and
the light-colored Tongue River beds above-but the color
differences are not in themselves distinctive in all areas of
eastern Montana. Farther west, towards the source of the
sediments, the dark and the lower light zones lose their
identity and merge to form a greenish-gray or gray sandy
sequence (Brown, 1962, p. 3). Farther southeast and east,
and in western North Dakota, the lower members cannot
be distinguished from one another and together are re-
ferred to as the lower member in Montana (Bryson, 1952,
p. 46-52) and as the Ludlow in North Dakota (Brown,
1962, p. 6).
The base of the Fort Union was defined by Bamum
Brown (1907, p. 834) as the base of the lowest coal bed
above the dinosaur-containing beds of the Hell Creek
Formation (late Cretaceous). Although many writers have
attempted to re-define the Cretaceous-Paleocene bound-
ary, Roland Brown (1962, p. 11) concluded after many
years of study that the use of the lowest coal bed as the
boundary is still valid, and where the coal is missing, the
Cretaceous-Paleocene contact can be closely determined
from paleontological evidence.
-------
8
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
The greatest difference is between the Lebo and the
members underlying and overlying it. The Lebo consists
of dark, drab, somber beds composed or dark-gray to
olive-gray shale containing altered and devitrified volcanic
ash and abundant brown ferruginous concretions (Rogers
and Lee, 1923, p. 36-39), whereas the Tulloch and Tongue
River are both light-colored interbedded fine-grained
sandstone, clay stone, and siltstone and also show simi-
larities in topographic expression. The Lebo, because of
its relative softness, characteristically erodes to form long
gentle slopes, whereas the Tulloch and Tongue River both
form steep escarpments capped by the resistant sand-
stone beds that are prominent in both members. The
Tongue River Member is further characterized by thick
layers of reddish clinker, which have resulted from the
burning of the thick coal beds.
TONGUE RIVER MEMBER
The Tongue River Member was named by Taff (1909,
p. 129) in describing coal beds exposed along the valley
of the Tongue River in the Sheridan coal field, Wyoming.
The high divide between the Tongue River and Rosebud
Creek near Brandenburg, Montana (Balster, 1971), is now
regarded as the type locality, as a more nearly complete
section is exposed there.
In the area described in this report, the thickness of
the Tongue River Member ranges from 1,200 to 1,700
feet. In many places, the upper part has been eroded or
truncated especially in the northern part of the area
where the section consists of only the lower few hundred
feet.
The Tongue River Member is characterized by pale-
olive to yellowish-gray fine-grained sandstone, yellowish-
gray claystone, interbedded claystone and sandstone,
interbedded shale and claystone, thick coal beds, and
carbonaceous shale. The sandstone beds and the clay-
stone sequences occur in almost equal proportions. The
sandstone beds, at various stratigraphic levels, form num-
erous cliffs, knobs, and pinnacles. The environment of
deposition was continental, including abundant swamps
that produced coal in a cyclic depositional sequence. The
thick coal beds are the major interest in this report, and
on the various overburden maps (PI. 1 through PI. 32),
twenty-six individual coal beds are shown. Perhaps the
most striking characteristic of the Tongue River Member
is the clinker, which was formed by the burning of the
underlying thick coal beds and which covers large areas.
This burning has caused fusion and baking of the strata
overlying the coal bed and has produced a reddish to
orange multicolored zone. In some places, these clinker
zones are more than 200 feet thick. The thickness of the
clinker, which is roughly proportional to the thickness of
the coal, is one factor utilized in exploration.
The thicker coal beds have burned near their outcrop
and back from their outcrop throughout the study area.
This phenomenon is attributed to spontaneous combus-
tion, which results where thicker coal beds containing
moderate to high volatile matter are exposed at the sur-
face. There the coal can slack and become finely divided,
and if it is subjected to a small increment of outside heat,
such as the direct rays of the sun during the summer
months, combustion begins and persists if the amount of
coal is adequate to retain the heat (Rogers, 1918, p. 2).
The burning of the coal beds has affected the overlying
sediments to varying extent by strictly thermal meta-
morphism. The alteration of the sedimentary rocks pro-
duces a very striking change from the original yellowish
gray to bright yellow, red, and orange.
In North Dakota, what is known in Montana as the
Tongue River Member has been divided into the Sentinel
Butte Member (upper) and the Tongue River Member
(lower) on the basis of a color change from the typical
buff or yellowish-gray below to somber gray shale beds
above (Royse, 1972, p. 32).
LEBO MEMBER
The Lebo Member of the Fort Union Formation,
which underlies the Tongue River Member, is 300 to 600
feet thick within the report area. Except for the basal
coal bed, called the "Big Dirty", the Lebo is devoid of
coal beds. The "Big Dirty" coal bed has been utilized as
fuel by local ranchers, but in most places it contains so
much carbonaceous shale that it produces too much ash.
The type locality of the Lebo is on Lebo Creek, north
of the Crazy Mountains in central Montana, where the
unit contains abundant andesitic sandstone (Stone and
Calvert, 1910). In eastern Montana, as already stated, the
Lebo is composed of dark-gray shale, contrasting strongly
with the light-colored Tongue River above and the light-
colored Tulloch below. Topographically, the Lebo forms
badlands because the weathered rock does not support
vegetation.
TULLOCH MEMBER
The Tulloch Member of the Fort Union Formation
consists of a sequence of beds of yellow sandstone, sandy
shale, carbonaceous shale, and numerous thin impure
coal beds and is 275 to 500 .feet thick in the study area.
The top of the Tulloch is defined as the base of the "Big
Dirty" coal bed, and the base is defined as the base of the
-------
BURNED AREAS
coal bed above the dinosaur-containing beds of the Hell
Creek Formation, of late Cretaceous age (Brown, 1907,
p. 834). The type locality of the Tulloch is the valley of
Tulloch Creek, Treasure County, Montana, where the
unit is about 270 feet thick. Although in this area it con-
tains ten lenticular coal beds, none of them is of adequate
quantity or quality to be economically recoverable.
WASATCH FORMATION
The Wasatch Formation (Eocene) overlies the Fort
Union in a few places. It is about 500 feet thick in the
Powder River Basin along the Montana-Wyoming border,
where it consists of varicolored clayitone, sandstone, and
shale. It contains a richly fossQiferous zone, as much as
30 feet thick, not more than 30 feet above the Roland
coal bed (Baker, 1929, p. 34; Olive, 1957, p. 29). In
some areas it is very arkosic and contains abundant con-
glomerate of granitic pebbles (Balster, 1971, p. 42).
The top of the Roland coal bed marks the base of the
Wasatch Formation. In the Wyoming portion of the
Powder River Basin, the Wasatch Formation contains
commercial coal.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The area discussed in this report lies in the northern
part of the Powder River Basin. The structural history
has been discussed by numerous authors (McGrew, 1971;
Curry, 1971, Wyoming Geological Association, 1965).
The Miles City Arch-Cedar Creek Anticline separates it
from the Williston Basin to the northeast; the Black Hills
are adjacent on the southeast, and the Big Horn Moun-
tains are adjacent on the west. The Powder River Basin is
asymmetrical, its axis being nearer the west side.
A structure contour map (Fig. 3, from Balster, 1973)
of a persistent bentonite marker below the Greenhorn
Formation (upper Cretaceous) shows that the lowest
point in the Montana portion of the Powder River Basin
is on the Wyoming border. The structural relief from the
northern part of the area to the lowest point is 2,500
feet. The structure of the Paleocene roughly conforms
to this Cretaceous structure, but reversals have been
noted.
COAL
COAL QUANTITY
The strippable coal resources in the deposits discussed
in this report total 32,024,930,000 tons underlying
770,079 acres (Table 1). Many areas smaller than those
included in this report have been omitted intentionally
01 in some cases inadvertently. The coal beds are fairly
evenly distributed throughout the Tongue River Member,
and most are remarkably free of parting. Columnar charts
show the generalized relationships of the various coal
beds in the northern part of the area to one another in
each coal field, as well as from one coal field to another,
as described in previous reports by the U.S. Geological
Survey (Fig. 4). Staggered cross sections show tentative
correlations of most of the major coal beds containing
strippable reserves (PI. 33,34). Certain areas, such as the
Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal field (PI. 30), the Col-
strip coal field (PI. 14), the Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek
coal field (PI. 22), the Sand Creek coal field (PI. 28), the
Pine Hills coal field (PI. 31), and the Knowlton coal field
(PI. 32) are not shown on the cross sections.
BURNING OF THE COAL
Large parts of the original near-surface coal reserves
of the Tongue River Member have been destroyed by
burning at their outcrop and beneath shallow cover. Al-
most everywhere, each coal bed more than 5 feet thick
and of good quality has burned, and the heat has pro-
duced brightly colored clinker. Because of its appearance,
this clinker is miscalled "scoria", "red shale", or "lava
rock". The rocks overlying a burned coal bed have been
altered, baked, and fused by thermal metamorphism
(Rogers, 1918, p. 1-10).
The amount of alteration of the overlying material is
roughly proportional to the original thickness and qual-
ity of the coal that has burned. Thickness of clinker can
therefore be utilized in exploration as an added indication
of the thickness and quality of a coal bed. A coal bed 5
to 10 feet thick will produce a clinker zone 10 to 30 feet
thick, whereas a coal bed 50 feet thick may produce a
clinker zone 100 to 200 feet thick.
The bright red, orange, yellow, and black clinker is
used locally to surface and improve roads. Some of the
fused blocks are utilized as a building material for such
structures as fireplaces.
As the clinkered areas are porous and permeable, nu-
merous springs emerge along the base of the clinker.
Clinkered areas also support the growth of ponderosa
pine and other vegetation along the sides of ridges.
-------
10
8TRVPABLB COAL, SOUTHBABTBRM MONTANA
Scale
20 30
4O Miles
Contour interval 100 feet
Upper GnfeceoM, Montana portion
-------
RESERVES
11
Table l.-Coal reserve*, acreage, and tons per acre, selected strippabto coal deposits.
Coal deposit Plate no. Coal bed
Decker 1 Anderson and Dietz 1 & 2
Deer Creek 2 Anderson and Dietz 1 & 2
Roland 3 Roland
Squirrel Creek 4 Roland
Kirby 5A Anderson
Wall
SB Dietz
5C Canyon
6 Wall
Brewster-Arnold
7 Brewster-Arnold
8 Anderson and Dietz
9A Anderson
9B Dietz
10A Anderson
10B Dietz
IOC Canyon
11A Knobloch
11B Knobloch
12 Knobloch
13A Knobloch
13B Sawyer, A and C
14 Rosebud
15 Sawyer
16A Knobloch
16B Tenet
16C Flowers-Goodale
17 Broadus
18 T
19 Canyon
20 Cook
21 Pawnee and Cook
22 Terret
23A Elk and Dunning
23B Cook
24 Canyon and Ferry
25A Pawnee
25B Cook
26 Canyon and Ferry
27 A, Sawyer, C and D,X, and E
28 Knobloch
29 Flowers-Goodale, Terret, and
Knobloch
30 Rosebud, Knobloch, and Sawyer
31 Dominy
32A Dominy (M & L)
32B Dominy (U)
Canyon Creek
Birney
Poker Jim Lookout
Hanging Woman Creek
West Moorhead
Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek
Otter Creek
Ashland
Colstrip
Pumpkin Creek
Foster Creek
Broadus
East Moorhead
Diamond Butte
Goodspeed Butte
Fire Gulch
Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek
Yager Butte
Threemile Buttes
Sonnette
Home Creek Butte
Little Pumpkin Creek
Sand Creek
Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek
Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek
Pine Hills
Knowlton
Reserves,
million tons
2,239.99
495.65
218.04
133.41
216.52
473.69
834.35
158.53
1^84.25
65.86
180.55
872.65
1,583.29
1,120.96
883.74
397.49
690.19
373.29
564.78
2,075.55
2,696.20
357.49
1,439.26
2,426.50
708.13
460.87
258.90
739.82
525.21
418.02
628.95
336.69
326J3
1,175.86
312.02
225.40
320.25
362.98
217.21
215.83
267.34
627.49
453.71
193.87
747.51
120.31
Acreage
25,523
14,214
12,076
6,208
5,655
5,952
17,516
4,066
23,859
2,067
6,969
19,609
30,547
43,654
19,660
20,416
22,547
7,890
7,187
25,791
27,200
20,262
33,379
45,695
27,801
27,462
14,444
18,429
15,559
21^63
13,446
8,486
10,921
26,924
14,507
13,836
8^224
10,470
4,851
8,534
5,952
25,926
14,918
6,022
19,613
4,448
Average
tons/acre
87,763
35,397
18,055
21,490
38,285
79,579
47,630
38,983
78,974
31,859
25,905
44,501
51^30
25,678
44,949
19,469
30,611
47,311
78,581
80,475
99,125
17,643
43,118
53,102
25,470
16,782
17,924
40,142
33,756
19,566
46,775
39,674
29,880
43,673
21,507
16,289
38,940
34,668
44,774
25,290
44,915
24,203
30,413
32,191
38,112
27,048
32,024.93
770,079
-------
Forsyth field
(U.S.G.S. Bull.749)
Greenleof Cr-Miller Cr. field
(US.G.S.Bull. 831-B)
Ashland field
(USGS.Bull 831-B)
Pumpkin Cr field
Foster Cr field
Snyder Cr field
(U.SG.S.Bull 847-
TullocK
Cr field
(U.S.GS >•' |—
Bull. 749)xx
Pine Hills field
CO
69
t"
a
o
o
t
z
X
o
z
Figure 4.-Coluinnai sections showing relationship of coal beds in northern part of area.
-------
QUALITY
13
COAL QUALITY
The coal in the deposits described in this report ranks
as lignite A through subbituminous A according to the
specifications of the American Society for Testing and
Materials (1964, p. 74). Under this classification system,
coal having calorific value of 6,300 to 8,300 Btu per
pound on a moist, mineral-matter-free basis is classified
as lignite A; coal having a calorific value of 8,300 to
9,500 Btu per pound is classified as subbituminous C;
coal having a calorific value of 9,500 to 10,500 is classi-
fied as subbituminous B; and coal having a calorific value
of 10,500 to 11,500 is classified as subbituminous A.
On this project, 457 core samples were obtained and
were analyzed in the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology analytical laboratories by or under the direction
of Laurence A. Wegelin. Proximate analysis, forms of sul-
fur, and calorific value and major ash constituents were
determined in accordance with methods specified by the
American Society for Testing and Materials, Laboratory
Sampling and Analysis of Coal and Coke (1967) and the
U.S. Bureau of Mines (1967) methods of analyzing and
testing coal and coke. Constituents in the ash were deter-
mined by the standard techniques supplemented by
atomic-absorption techniques, with the exceptions of sul-
fur, which was determined only gravimetrically, and phos-
phorus, which w^as determined only volumetrically.
Samples obtained under cooperative projects of the
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology with Burlington
Northern, Inc., were analyzed by the Grand Forks Coal
Research Laboratory, U.S. Bureau of Mines. Samples ob-
tained from West Moorhead coal field in 1968 were ana-
lyzed by the Pittsburgh Coal Research Center, U.S. Bureau
of Mines. Major ash constituents of these samples were
analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey Analytical Lab-
oratory in Washington, D.C. Trace-element analyses of
samples from the Decker area were made by the U.S.
Geological Survey Laboratories, Denver (U.S. Geological
Survey—Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology open file
report, 1973).
With few exceptions, the coal is low in sulfur and has
low to moderate ash content. The calorific value on the
"as received" basis ranges from 6,500 Btu per pound in
the Knowlton coal field (PI. 32) to 9,850 Btu per pound
in the Decker coal field (PI. 1).
COAL BEDS
ROLAND COAL BED
The Roland coal bed marks the top of the Tongue
River Member (Taff, 1909, p. 130), and the top of the
Roland is defined as the contact with the Wasatch (Baker,
1929, p. 28). Although no marked difference between
the Tongue River and Wasatch strata is visible in the field,
on aerial photos the Wasatch has a striated appearance,
particularly in the Decker area, which is not shown by
the Tongue River strata. The Roland bed is 180 to 220
feet above the Smith coal bed. Strippable reserves were
mapped in the Roland (PI. 3) and Squirrel Creek (PI. 4)
coal deposits.
The Roland coal bed underlies the high divide areas in
the Decker (PI. 1), Deer Creek (PL 2), Hanging Woman
Creek (PI. 9), and West Moorhead (PI. 10A, B, and C).
The Roland coal in the Roland coal deposit ranges in
calorific value from 7,021 to 9,114 Btu, the sulfur con-
tent is 0.2 to 0.7%, and the ash content 3.8 to 9.7%. The
Roland coal in the Squirrel Creek deposit ranges in cal-
orific value from 6,608 to 8,286 Btu, the sulfur content
is 0.2 to 0.6%, and the ash content 3.0 to 14.2%.
SMITH COAL BED
The Smith coal bed, named by Taff (1909, p. 130) for
a mine of that name in the Sheridan area, was traced into
the Decker, Hanging Woman Creek, and Kirby areas by
Baker (1929, p. 35) and into the West Moorhead area by
Bryson and Bass (1966). Although small areas containing
50 to 75 million tons of strippable coal are known in the
Smith coal bed, in the Decker (PI. 1) and Deer Creek
(PI. 2) coal deposits, they have not been included in this
report. In the West Moorhead coal field and in the Hang-
ing Woman Creek area, the Smith bed is thin and lies 110
to 150 feet above the Anderson coal bed. In the western
part of the West Moorhead field, it is characterized by
petrified tree stumps. The bed is as much as 12 feet thick
in the Decker, Deer Creek, and Kirby areas.
Only two core samples were obtained from the Smith
bed, both in the Decker coal deposit. The calorific values
were 7,607 and 8,272 Btu, the sulfur content 0.6 and
1.0%, and the ash content 6.8 and 302%. Silica is a major
ash constituent, being 38.5 and 78.3% of the total ash
content.
ANDERSON COAL BED
The Anderson coal bed, named by Baker (1929, p. 35),
is correlated with the Garfield bed (Matson, 1971, p. 7),
named by Bass (1932, p. 55). Strippable reserves in the
Anderson coal bed have been mapped in the Decker
(PI. 1), Deer Creek (PI. 2), Kirby (PL 5A), Poker Jim
Lookout (PI. 8), West Moorhead (PI. 10A), and Hanging
Woman Creek (PI. 9) coal fields.
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14
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
The Anderson coal bed merges with the Dietz No. 1
bed at the Decker mine, and their combined thickness
exceeds 50 feet. A short distance west of the mine, the
Anderson, Dietz No. 1, and Dietz No. 2 beds are com-
bined and have a thickness of 80 feet; still farther west,
the Anderson splits from the combined Dietz No. 1 and
No. 2 coal beds. In the Deer Creek coal field, the three
coal beds are separate, and the Anderson bed averages 20
feet in thickness. In the Poker Jim Lookout coal field,
the Anderson and Dietz are combined in the northern
part of the field and form a coal bed 58 feet thick, but in
the southern part, they are separate beds. In the West
Moorhead coal field, the Anderson bed is 14 to 30 feet
thick and lies 13 to 81 feet above the Dietz No. 1 coal
bed and 120 to 200 feet above the Canyon coal bed. In
Hanging Woman Creek area, the Anderson coal bed is 25
to 36 feet thick except in the southwestern part of the
area, where it thins to 15 feet. It lies 50 to 100 feet above
the Dietz No. 1 bed.
The Anderson coal bed in the Decker coal field has a
calorific value of 8,705 to 9,850 Btu, sulfur content of
0.2 to 0.6%, and ash content of 2.9 to 62%. In the Deer
Creek coal deposit, the calorific value is 6,594 to 9,247
Btu, the sulfur content 0.4 to 0.8%, and the ash content
32 to 273%. In the Kirby coal deposit, the calorific value
is 7,277 to 8,864 Btu, the sulfur content is 0.2 to 0.7%,
and the ash content 3.2 to 8.1%. In the Poker Jim Look-
out coal field, the calorific value is 7,637 to 8,374 Btu,
the sulfur content 0.1 to 0.9%, and the ash content 4.0
to 8.9%. In the West Moorhead coal field, the calorific
value is 7,950 to 8,790 Btu, the sulfur content 03 to
0.4%, and the ash content 42 to 6.7%. In the Hanging
Woman Creek coal deposit, the calorific value is 6,751 to
9,259 Btu, the sulfur content 0.1 to 0.8%, and the ash
content 3.0 to 9.1%.
DIETZ COAL BEDS
The Dietz coal beds were named for the community
of Dietz, about 5 miles north of Sheridan, Wyoming.
Three Dietz coal beds were mapped in this locality (Taff,
1909, p. 129) and traced northward into the Decker area
(Baker, 1919, p. 35). The uppermost Dietz, or Dietz No. 1,
is correlated with the Anderson bed in the Decker area,
where the names Dietz No. 1 and No. 2 have been applied
to the two coal beds underlying the Anderson, but these
would probably correlate with the Dietz No. 2 and No. 3
of Taff (1909). Strippable reserves in one or more of the
Dietz coal beds have been mapped in the Decker (PI. 1),
Deer Creek (PI. 2), Kirby (PI. 5B), Poker Jim Lookout
(PI- 8), Hanging Woman Creek (PI. 9), and West Moorhead
(PL 1 OB) coal deposits.
In the Decker area, the Dietz No. 1 and No. 2 combine
with the Anderson bed and have a combined thickness of
80 feet, but at the Decker mine, only the Dietz No. 1 is
combined with the Anderson to form one bed 50 feet
thick. In the Deer Creek coal field, the Dietz No. 1 and
No. 2 are separated by partings, and each averages 18 feet
in thickness. In the Kirby coal deposit, the Dietz No. 1
and No. 2 have a combined thickness of almost 50 feet
in the southwest part of the area, but split and thin to
the northeast. The Dietz No. 1 bed is combined with the
Anderson bed in the northern part of the Poker Jim
Lookout deposit and forms a bed 58 feet thick, but splits
in the southern part of the deposit In the Hanging Woman
Creek coal deposit, the Dietz No. 1 bed reaches a maxi-
mum of 18 feet in thickness, but thins to about 4 feet in
the southwestern corner. In the West Moorhead deposit,
the Dietz No. 1 ranges from 6 to 11 feet in thickness,
but seems to be thin or absent in the northeast corner.
The Dietz coal bed in the Decker coal deposit has a
calorific value of 6,019 to 9,373 Btu, sulfur content of
Q3 to 0.4%, and ash content of 2.9 to 6.3%. In the Deer
Creek coal deposit, the calorific value is 9,142 to 9,561
Btu, sulfur content 0.3 to 0.7%, and ash content 2.5 to
5.2%. In the Kirby coal deposit, the calorific value is
7,467 to 9,502 Btu, sulfur content 03 to 2.4%, and ash
content 32 to 14.1%. In the Hanging Woman Creek coal
deposit, the calorific value is 7,722 to 8,707 Btu, sulfur
content 0.2 to 0.3%, and ash content 3.7 to 9.9%. In the
West Moorhead coal field, the calorific value is 7,907 to
8,080 Btu, sulfur content 03 to 0.7%, and ash content
33 to 5.2%.
CANYON COAL BED
The Canyon coal bed, named by Baker (1929, p. 36),
is one of the most widespread coal beds in the report area
and contains strippable coal in such widely separated
areas as the West Moorhead (PI. IOC), Kirby (PL 5C),
Diamond Butte (PI. 19), and Threemile Buttes (PI. 24)
coal deposits.
The Canyon coal bed in the West Moorhead coal field
is 17 to 24 feet thick and lies 67 to 122 feet below the
Dietz coal bed. In the Kirby coal field, the Canyon is 16
to 25 feet thick and is 180 to 230 feet above the Wall
coal bed. In the Diamond Butte coal deposit, the Canyon
is 7 to 16 feet thick and is about 200 feet above the Cook
coal bed. In the Threemile Buttes coal deposit, the Can-
yon forms two benches 4 to 13 feet thick.
The Canyon coal bed in the West Moorhead coal field
has a calorific value of 7,419 to 8,920 Btu, sulfur content
0.1 to 13%, and ash content 3.2 to 10.0%. In the Kirby
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COAL BEDS
15
coal deposit the calorific value is 8,446 to 9,113 Btu, sul-
fur content 0.2 to 03%, and ash content 32 to 10.7%.
In the Diamond Butte coal deposit, calorific value is
7,138 to 7,897 Btu, sulfur content 02 to 0.5%, and ash
content 3.3 to 5.2%. In the Threemile Buttes coal de-
posit, the calorific value is 6,646 to 7,133 Btu, sulfur
content 0.4 to 2.5%, and ash content 3.8 to 8.7%.
FERRY COAL BED
The Ferry coal bed consists of discontinuous lenses
underlying the high divide areas between Pumpkin Creek
and tributaries of Otter Creek west and northwest of
Sonnette (Warren, 1959, p. 573). The Ferry coal bed cor-
relates with the F coal bed in the Ashland coal field
(Warren, 1959, p. 567).
Strippable reserves in the Ferry coal bed have been
mapped in the Threemile Buttes (PI. 24) and Home Creek
Butte (PI. 26) coal deposits.
The Ferry coal bed is 6 to 17 feet thick in the Three-
mile Buttes coal deposit and 24 feet thick in the Home
Creek Butte coal deposit, where it is about 76 feet below
the Canyon coal bed.
COOK COAL BED
The Cook coal bed, between the Canyon above and
the Wall coal bed below, forms two benches (Warren,
1959, p. 573). Strippable coal in the Cook coal bed has
been mapped in the Sonnette (PI. 25B), Yager Butte
(PI. 23B), and Goodspeed Butte (PI. 20) coal fields.
In the Sonnette area, the Cook bed occurs in two
benches 12 to 40 feet apart. The upper bench is 10 to 14
feet thick, and the lower bench is 5 to 10 feet thick. In
the Yager Butte coal deposit, the two benches are 38 to
75 feet apart; the upper bench is 0 to 19 feet thick, and
the lower bench is 8 to 11 feet thick. In the Goodspeed
Butte coal deposit, the parting between the two benches
is 34 to 45 feet thick; the upper bench is 13 to 20 feet
thick, and the lower bench is 12 to 14 feet thick.
The Cook coal bed in the Sonnette coal deposit has a
calorific value of 6,547 to 7,186 Btu, sulfur content 0.7
to 1.9%, and ash content 6.5 to 133%. In the Yager Butte
coal field, the calorific value is 5,881 to 7,703 Btu, sulfur
content 0.3 to 0.7%, and ash content 3.8 to 20.7%. In the
Goodspeed Butte coal deposit, the calorific value is 6,682
to 6,861 Btu, sulfur content \2 to 2.1%, and ash content
8.9 to 12.4%.
WALL COAL BED
The Wall coal bed, named by Baker (1929, p. 37), has
large Strippable reserves, which have been mapped in the
Canyon Creek (PI. 6) and Kirby (PI. 5 A) coal fields, where
it is 50 to 60 feet thick. The Wall is 180 to 230 feet be-
low the Canyon bed.
The Wall coal bed in the Canyon Creek coal deposit
has a calorific value of 7,637 to 10,079 Btu, sulfur con-
tent 0.1 to 1.1%, and ash content 3.1 to 12.5%.
ELK COAL BED
The Elk coal bed, named by Warren (1959, p. 573),
crops out along the steep-sided valley of Otter Creek and
its tributaries. Strippable coal has been mapped in the
Yager Butte coal deposit (PI. 23A), where the bed is 10
to 21 feet thick. The Elk coal bed is 23 to 39 feet above
the Dunning bed.
The Elk coal bed in the Yager Butte coal deposit has
a calorific value of 7,125 to 7,943 Btu, sulfur content
0.2 to 05%, and ash content 35 to 7.4%.
PAWNEE COAL BED
The Pawnee coal bed, named by Warren (1959, p. 572),
forms two benches as much as 45 feet apart in T. 4 S.,
R.47 and 48 E. Warren correlated the upper bench of the
Pawnee with the Dunning bed, but the name Dunning is
used west of the Otter Creek-Pumpkin Creek divide.
Strippable coal in the Pawnee coal bed has been mapped
in the Sonnette (PI. 25A) and Fire Gulch (PI. 21) coal
deposits. The Pawnee coal bed is 20 to 22 feet thick in
much of the Sonnette coal field.
The Pawnee coal bed in the Sonnette coal field has a
calorific value of 5,556 to 7,902 Btu, sulfur content 0.2
to 2.7%, and ash content 3.9 to 25.3%. In the Fire Gulch
coal deposit the heating value is 7,650 Btu, sulfur content
0.2%, and ash content 6.0%.
DUNNING COAL BED
The Dunning coal bed crops out on the west side of
the Otter Creek-Pumpkin Creek divide. It was named by
Warren (1959, p. 572), who correlated it with the upper
bench of the Pawnee in the Sonnette coal field. It is 23
to 39 feet below the Elk coal bed. Strippable coal in the
Dunning coal bed is shown in the Yager Butte coal de-
posit (PI. 23A) where the bed is 14 to 20 feet thick.
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16
STRIPPABLE COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
The Dunning coal bed in the Yager Butte coal deposit
has a calorific value of 7,445 to 8,005 Btu, sulfur content
0.2 to 0.4%, and ash content 4.3 to 5.8%.
E COAL BED
The E coal bed, named by Bass (1932, p. 55), is wide-
spread throughout the Ashland coal field. Strippable re-
serves were mapped in the Little Pumpkin Creek coal
field where the bed is 7 feet thick. The E bed is 70 to 100
feet above the X coal bed and is correlated with the Dun-
ning bed in the Birney-Broadus coal field to the south.
X COAL BED
The X coal bed, about 8 feet thick, occurs locally in
T. 2 S., R. 46,47, and 48 E. (Bass, 1932, p. 55) and con-
tains strippable coal in the Little Pumpkin Creek coal
field (PI. 27). The X bed is 40 to 80 feet above the C and
D coal bed and about 70 to 100 feet below the E coal bed.
C AND D COAL BEDS
The C and D coal beds, named by Bass (1932, p. 55)
are two closely spaced coal beds in the Ashland coal field.
Strippable reserves in the C and D coal beds occur in the
Ashland coal field (PI. 13B), and the Little Pumpkin
Creek coal field (PI. 27). The C coal bed contains abun-
dant silicified tree stumps and log fragments and is easily
identified (Bass, 1932, p. 55).
Prominent clinker in T. 2 S., R. 47 E., indicates that the
thickness of the D coal bed exceeds 10 feet. The bed at-
tains a thickness of 20 feet (Bass, 1932, p. 55) in T. 2 S.,
R. 45 and 46 E.
The C and D coal beds are 80 to 100 feet above the
Sawyer in the Little Pumpkin Creek coal field (PI. 27).
BREWSTER-ARNOLD COAL BED
The Brewster-Arnold coal bed, named from a mine on
the Brewster-Arnold ranch in T. 6 S., R. 43 E., was cor-
related with the Sawyer coal bed (Baker, 1929, p. 38).
Strippable reserves have been mapped in the Birney coal
field (PI. 7).
The Brewster-Arnold bed is 235 to 275 feet below the
Wall coal bed and is as much as 20 feet thick. A distinct
split is most pronounced west of the Tongue River.
The Brewster-Arnold coal bed in the Birney coal field
has a calorific value of 7,987 to 9,417 Btu, sulfur content
0.2 to 0.7%, and ash content 3.1 to 8.2%.
T COAL BED
The T coal bed, named by Bryson and Bass (1966), has
been correlated with the Cache coal bed in the Birney-
Broadus coal field (Warren, 1959, p. 572). The T coal
bed is 15 to 25 feet thick and about 260 feet above the
Broadus coal bed.
Strippable reserves in the T coal bed have been mapped
in the East Moorhead coal field (PI. 18).
The T coal bed in the East Moorhead coal field has a
calorific value of 6,867 to 7,592 Btu, sulfur content 0.3
to 1.2%, and ash content 4.2 to 13.2%.
SAWYER COAL BED
The Sawyer coal bed, named by Dobbin (1929), has
been traced eastward into the Pumpkin Creek coal field
(Bass, 1932, p. 52). Strippable coal in the Sawyer coal
bed has been mapped in the Ashland (PI. 136), Little
Pumpkin Creek (PI. 27), and Pumpkin Creek (PI. 15)
coal fields.
The Sawyer coal bed is 10 to 36 feet thick and lies on
or as much as 100 feet above the A coal bed In the Little
Pumpkin Creek coal deposit (PI. 27), the C and D coal
beds are 80 to 100 feet above the Sawyer (Bass, 1932,
p. 52).
The Sawyer coal bed in the Ashland coal deposit has
calorific value of 7,740 to 7,965 Btu, sulfur content 0.3
to 0.9%, and ash content 4.0 to 6.0%. In the Pumpkin
Creek coal deposit, the calorific value is 7,140 to 7,570
Btu, sulfur content 0.3 to 0.5%, and ash content 6.5 to
10.0%.
A COAL BED
The A coal bed, named by Bass (1932, p. 54), contains
strippable reserves in the Little Pumpkin Creek (PI. 27)
and Pumpkin Creek (PI. 15) coal deposits. In T. 1 and 2S.,
R. 47 and 48 E, and T. 2 S., R. 48 E., it is 6 to 15 feet thick
and is 40 feet below the Sawyer coal bed, but elsewhere
• it may merge with the Sawyer or lie as much as 100 feet
below it. Carmichael (1967, p. 43) therefore thought
that the A coal bed may be a lower bench of the Sawyer.
KNOBLOCH COAL BED
The Knobloch coal bed was named for the Knobloch
ranch, on the east side of the Tongue River in T. 5 S.,
R. 43 E. (Bass, 1932, p. 52). It contains larger strippable
reserves than any other mapped coal bed. These reserves
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COAL BEDS
17
are in the Poker Jim Creek-O*Dell Creek (PL 11A and B),
Otter Creek (PI. 12), Ashland (PI. ISA), Beaver Creek-
Liscom Creek (PI. 29), Foster Creek (PI. 16A), and Sand
Creek (PI. 28) coal deposits.
The Knobloch is not uniform in thickness, and it de-
velops partings and splits (PI. 34). Its maximum thick-
ness in the northern part of the Otter Creek (PI. 12) and
in the Ashland coal deposit (PI. 13A) is 66 feet. The
Knobloch is 80 to 188 feet above the Flowers-Goodale
and 150 to 300 feet below the Sawyer coal bed.
The Knobloch coal bed in the Poker Jim Creek-ODell
Creek coal deposit has a calorific value of 8,380 to 9,135
Btu, sulfur content 0.1 to 0.6%, and ash content 3.7 to
6.4%. In the Otter Creek coal deposit, the calorific value
is 8,011 to 9,314 Btu, sulfur content 0.1 to 0.4%, and ash
content 3.0 to 10.6%. In the Ashland coal deposit, the
calorific value is 7,671 to 9,070 Btu, sulfur content 0.1
to 0.5%, and ash content 3.7 to 6.8%. In the Beaver Creek-
Liscom Creek coal deposit, the calorific value is 7,362
to 8,417 Btu, sulfur content 0.2 to 0.9%, and ash content
5.1 to 13.8%. In the Foster Creek coal deposit, the cal-
orific value is 7,380 to 7,840 Btu, sulfur content 03 to
1.6%, and ash content 6.7 to 8.7%. In the Sand Creek
coal deposit, the calorific value is 7,220 to 7,460 Btu,
the sulfur content 0.3% average, and the ash content 5.1
to 8.3%.
LAY CREEK COAL BED
The Lay Creek coal bed, 2 to 6 feet thick, was named
by Bass (1932, p. 54) for Lay Creek, which is in the
southwestern part of T. 1 N., R.46 E. The Lay Creek bed
is 30 to 88 feet below the Knobloch coal bed (PI. 29), is
of irregular thickness and quality, and does not contain
strippable reserves. In the southwest part of the Beaver
Creek-Liscom Creek area (PI. 29) drill hole SH-7075 indi-
cates that the Lay Creek may be a split from the Knob-
loch, as the Knobloch splits and thins to the north.
ROSEBUD COAL BED
The Rosebud coal bed was described by Dobbin (1929,
p. 27) as being about 350 feet above the base of the
Tongue River Member. Mining on a large scale by Western
Energy Company and Peabody Coal Company in the
Colstrip area gives the Rosebud bed special significance.
Strippable reserves in the Rosebud coal bed have been
mapped in the Colstrip coal deposit (PI. 14).
The Rosebud coal bed averages 25 feet in thickness in
the Colstrip coal deposit. It is 18 to 61 feet above the
McKay coal bed, which is 8 to 10 feet thick but which is
not discussed further in this report.
The Rosebud coal bed in the Colstrip coal deposit has
a calorific value of 7,810 to 9,090 Btu, sulfur content 0.5
to 1.1%, and ash content 8.1 to 12.6%.
BROADUS COAL BED
The Broadus coal bed, named for the town of Broadus
(Warren, 1959, p. 570), is 100 feet above the base of
the Tongue River Member; strippable reserves have been
mapped in the Broadus coal deposit (PI. 17).
The Broadus bed is 5 to 26 feet thick and was cor-
related by Bryson (1952, p. 75) with the Flowers-Goodale
bed.
The Broadus coal bed in the Broadus coal deposit has
an average calorific value of 7,438 Btu, sulfur content
averages 03%, and ash content averages 7.2%.
FLOWERS-GOODALE COAL BED
The Flowers-Goodale coal bed, named for the Flowers
mine in sec. 29 and the Goodale mine in sec. 28, T. 1 N.,
R. 45 E., both small wagon mines supplying coal to local
ranchers (Bass, 1932, p. 53), is 9 to 12 feet thick and con-
tains strippable reserves in the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek
coal deposit (PI. 29). It lies 80 to 188 feet below the
Knobloch and about 43 feet above the Terret coal bed.
The Flowers-Goodale coal bed in the Beaver Creek-
Liscom Creek coal deposit has a calorific value of 8,102
Btu, sulfur content 1.0%, and ash content 8.1%.
TERRET COAL BED
The Terret coal bed supplied coal to and was named
for the Terret ranch on Beaver Creek in T. 1 S., R.45 E.,
east of the Tongue River (Bass, 1932, p. 51). The Tenet
coal bed is 6 to 10 feet thick and contains strippable re-
serves in the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek area (PI. 29). It
is about 43 feet below the Flowers-Goodale coal bed.
The Terret coal bed in the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek
coal deposit has a calorific value of 8,170 Btu, sulfur con-
tent 0.7%, and ash content of 5.8%.
DOMINY COAL BED
The Dominy coal bed was described by Collier and
Smith (1909, p. 56) and was named for the Dominy
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18
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
ranch, where the coal cropped out. Brown and others
(1954) described two benches of the Dominy, the lower
averaging 19 feet and the upper at least 6 feet in thick-
ness. Strippable reserves in the Dominy coal bed are
shown in the Pine Hills (PI. 31) and Knowlton (PI. 32A
and B) coal deposits. Project drill holes show the upper
bench to be 3 to 4 feet thick and the lower bench 17 to
20 feet thick.
The Dominy coal bed in the Knowlton coal deposit
has a calorific value of 6,297 to 6,850 Btu, sulfur content
0.2 to 0.9%, and ash content 3.8 to 10.5%. In the Pine
Hills coal deposit, it has a calorific value of 7,220 to 7,420
Btu, sulfur content 0.4 to 0.6%, and ash content 6.6 to
8.1%.
RESERVE ESTIMATES
The coal reserve estimates in this report are classified
as "indicated" and "inferred" after Averitt (1965, p. 25).
Indicated reserves are those calculated on a basis of spe-
cific measurements and partly by projection of visible
data for a reasonable distance, such as 2 or 3 miles for
coal beds of known continuity. Inferred reserves are
those based on a broad knowledge of the geology of an
area and where few measurements of the thickness of the
coal bed are available. Measured reserves are limited to
areas where data points for thickness of the coal are
closely spaced and the quantity can be estimated accu-
rately. Small areas of measured reserves are included on
various plates but are not separately distinguished. On
the other hand, areas of inferred reserves are shown on
the maps.
Overburden maps were drawn for each of the strip-
pable coal fields, and overburden thicknesses of 0 to 50,
50 to 100, 100 to 150,150 to 200, and 200 to 250 feet
were outlined on the maps. Where the coal is less than 10
feet thick, a limit of 100 feet was assigned as the maxi-
mum overburden. Other limits used were 150 feet of
overburden where the coal is 10 to 25 feet thick, 200 feet
of overburden where the coal is 25 to 40 feet thick, and
250 feet of overburden where the coal is more than 40
feet thick. The areas between the overburden thickness
contours were then measured by a planimeter.
Coal reserves were then calculated from the average
thickness of the coal as shown on the isopach maps. Mea-
surements of the thickness of each coal bed were suf-
ficiently numerous to assure a fair degree of accuracy in
estimation of coal reserves. In calculating the coal re-
serves, the area as measured by planimeter was converted
to acres and the result multiplied by the average coal
thickness to obtain the volume of coal in acre-feet. This
figure was then multiplied by 1,770 tons, the average
weight of an acre-foot of subbituminous coal (Averitt,
1965, p. 21), to yield the total tonnage.
From the same planimeter data, the overburden in
each thickness range was calculated in cubic yards, and
the number of cubic yards of overburden per ton of coal
was computed for each overburden thickness range. The
acreage measured for each overburden thickness range is
reported, and the tons per acre under each overburden
thickness range is also reported. Variations in the tons
per acre are accounted for by the irregularity in thickness
of the coal.
STRIPPABLE COAL DEPOSITS
DECKER AREA
LOCATION
The Decker area is in T. 8 and 9 S., R. 38,39,40,41, and
42 E., Big Horn County, Montana, approximately 20
miles northeast of Sheridan, Wyoming, by road. The maps
outlining the strippable coal in the Decker area include
the Decker (PI. 1), Deer Creek (PI. 2), Roland (PI. 3),
and the Squirrel Creek (PI. 4) coal deposits. The area is
bounded on the south by the Montana-Wyoming border,
on the west by the Crow Indian Reservation boundary,
and on the east by the eastern side of the divide between
Hanging Woman Creek and the Tongue River. The north-
ern boundary of the area is the limit of strippable coal as
indicated by the thickness of the clinker.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the Decker area was done during the
summers of 1969, 1970, and 1972 under the EPA State
Coal Project. In order to solve some of the problems en-
countered by the U.S. Geological Survey while remapping
the area in 1971 and 1972, the Bureau, under a U.S.
Geological Survey Mineral Classification Branch Project,
drilled additional holes in 1972. Numerous drill logs were
provided by the Rosebud Coal Sales Company for prepar-
ing the overburden maps in the Decker and Deer Creek
areas.
The field methods utilized in evaluation of the strip-
pable coal in the Decker, Deer Creek, Roland, and Squirrel
Creek coal fields included geologic mapping on black-and-
white and color photos, drilling of numerous exploration
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—DECKER AREA
Table 2.-Coal reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Decker area.
DECKER COAL DEPOSIT-ANDERSON, DIETZ 1, and DIETZ 2 BEDS
19
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
200 to 250
Indicated reserves
million tons
87.54
355.35
668.18
716.35
412.57
Total 2,239.99
Overburden and Overburden and
, interbuiden, interburden ratio,
million cu. yd. cubic yards/ton
78.40 0.89
697.73 1.96
1,743.36 2.60
1.887.62 2.63
U50.34 3.03
Total 5,657.45 Average 2.52 Total
Acres
1,433.6
5,689.6
8,467.2
6,553.6
3.379.2
25^23.2
Tons/acre
61,063.1
62,456.1
78,913.9
109,306.3
122.091.0
Average 87,763.5
DEER CREEK COAL DEPOSIT-ANDERSON, DIETZ 1, and DIETZ 2 BEDS
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Oto 50
50 to 100
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to 150
82.06
184.87
143.54
Total 410.47
Inferred reserves,
million tons
16.54
33.30
35.34
Total 85.18
Indicated reserves
million tons
110.29
107.75
Total 218.04
76.91
43.87
12.63
Total 133.41
372.87 4.54
1,443.81 7.8
1.787.75 12.45
Total 3,604.43 Average 8.78 Total
DEER CREEK COAL DEPOSIT-CORRAL CREEK BED
Overburden, Overburden ratio,
million cu. yd. cubic yards/ton
24.98 1.51
114.15 3.42
201.80 5.71
Total 340.93 Average 4.00 Total
ROLAND COAL DEPOSIT-ROLAND BED
Overburden, Overburden ratio,
million cu. yd. cubic yards/ton
327.45 2.97
716.32 6.64
Total 1,043.77 Average 4.79 Total
SQUIRREL CREEK COAL DEPOSIT-ROLAND BED
17.28 0.22
246.26 5.61
122.29 9.68
Total 385.83 Average 2.89 Total
2,400
5,344
4.064
11,808
Acres
467.2
940.8
998.4
2,406.4
Acres
6,156.3
5.920.0
12,076.3
3,571.2
2,035.2
601.6
6,208.0
34,191.7
34,593.9
35,319.9
Average 34,762
Tons/acre
35,402.4
35,395.4
35.396.6
Average 35,397.3
Tons/acre
17,914.9
18.200.1
Average 18,055.6
21,537.4
21,558.7
21.000.7
Average 21,490.9
-------
Table 3.-Proxlmate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Decker coal field.
Drill hole
and location
SH-703
8S 40E S26
CCAB
SH-7010
8S40ES15
CBBA
SH-7017
8S38ES12
BCDC
SH-7018
95 40E S19
BCBA
BMC-727
8S 38E S36
CDBD
BMC-728
9S 39E S25
CDBA
BMC-729
9S 39E S29
CDBA
Depth
sampled
106 to
116ft.
116 to
126ft.
126 to
130 ft.
124 to
134 ft.
134 to
144 ft.
144 to
152ft.
142 to
148 ft.
148 to
159 ft.
159 to
165 ft.
215 to
218ft.
240to
247ft
231 to
232 ft.
116 to
127 ft.
127 to
137ft.
137 to
140 ft.
Lab.
number
160
161
162
171
172
173
187
188
189
190
462
463
464
465
466
Coal
bed
Canyon
Dictz
Anderson
Anderson
Dietz
Anderson
Anderson
Proximate, %
Form of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
D
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
|
/ Moisture
20.910
23.810
23.870
27.100
24.130
17.310
25.790
21.750
27.070
20.590
25.910
21.730
24.040
25.150
25.300
Volatile
matter
26.314
33.271
42.357
32.544
42.714
44.575
30.709
40.338
41.699
29.476
40.433
44.230
29.933
39.453
41.147
21.218
25.659
44.313
32.350
43.592
46.244
34.987
44.712
46.902
32.443
44.485
46.932
34.109
42.953
46.250
31.619
42.677
44.392
32.589
41.636
43.935
30.836
40.595
42.780
30.514
40.767
42.426
29.200
39.090
42.629
Fixed
carbon
35.810
45.278
57.643
40.465
53.111
55.425
42.936
56.398
58.301
37.166
50.982
55.770
42.813
56.429
58.853
26.663
32.245
55.687
37.606
50.674
53.756
39.609
50.618
53.098
36.684
50.301
53.068
39.641
49.919
53.750
39.608
53.459
55.608
41.585
53.131
56.065
41.243
54.296
57.220
41.409
55.323
57.574
39.298
52.608
57.371
Ash
16.966
21.451
3.181
4.175
2.485
3.264
6.258
8.585
3.124
4.117
34.809
42.096
4.255
5.733
3.654
4.670
3.803
5.215
5.660
7.128
2.863
3.864
4.096
5.233
3.881
5.109
2.927
3.910
6.201
8.302
Sulfur
.730
.924
1.176
.146
.191
.200
.377
.495
.512
.431
.592
.647
.290
.382
.399
.371
.448
.774
.250
.337
.358
.188
.241
.252
.239
.328
.346
.283
.357
.384
.304
.411
.427
.246
.315
.332
.250
.329
.347
.231
.308
.321
.642
.859
.937
Form of sulfur, %
Sulfate
.017
.022
.028
.000
.000
.000
.009
.011
.012
.008
.011
.012
.009
.011
.012
.018
.021
.037
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.008
.011
.011
.008
.010
.011
.016
.021
.022
.016
.021
.022
.024
.032
.035
Pyritic
.313
.396
.504
.051
.068
.070
.043
.056
.058
.106
.145
.159
.077
.101
.106
.062
.075
.129
.089
.120
.127
.051
.066
.069
.080
.109
.115
.034
.043
.047
.055
.074
.077
.016
.021
.022
.040
.053
.056
.032
.042
.044
.079
.106
.116
Organic
.400
.506
.644
.094
.124
.129
.326
.428
.442
.317
.435
.476
.205
.270
.282
.291
.352
.608
.161
.218
.231
.137
.175
.184
.159
.219
.231
.249
.314
.338
.242
.326
.340
.222
.283
.299
.194
.255
.269
.183
.244
.254
.539
.721
.786
Heating
value (Btu)
8081
10218
13008
9691
12720
13274
9541
12532
12955
8769
12029
13159
9373
12355
12885
6019
7279
12571
9003
12132
12870
9436
12058
12649
8609
11805
12454
9850
12405
13357
9305
12559
13064
9768
12479
13168
9306
12252
12911
9212
12308
12808
8705
11654
12709
U)
H
2
s
13
2
5
o
o
f
CO
Q
H
S
>
CO
bj
M
S
*
3
o
2
>
2
1
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—DECKER AREA
21
holes, and field checking of the Rosebud Coal Sales Com-
pany drill data. Colored aerial photos of the area were
lent by the Carter Oil Company.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Decker and surrounding area was described by
Baker (1929) and by Ayler, Smith, and Deutman (1969),
and part is shown on a U.S. Geological Survey open-file
report on the Decker quadrangle (Law and Grazis, 1972).
Detailed maps on an engineering scale, prepared by Decker
Coal Company, were made available for reference.
LAND OWNERSHIP
Because the Decker area lies south of the land grant to
Burlington Northern, Inc., the minerals under most of
the area are owned by the Federal Government. In sec.
16 and 36 of each township, granted to the State of
Montana for school land, the state has both the surface
and the mineral rights. In the other sections, the Federal
Government generally retained the coal rights, even where
it deeded the surface.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Tongue River Reservoir now occupies much of
the broad valley of the Tongue River, which, like the
broad valley of Deer Creek, is flanked by steep-sided
buttes and cliffs. Numerous drainages, which trend north-
west or southeast, are also bordered by steep-sided ridges
and buttes. Large areas of clinker in the northern part of
the area are hummocky and rolling, and the clinker zone
forms vertical cliffs where cut by drainages. All tributaries
of the Tongue River are intermittent streams that flow
only during periods of heavy precipitation and spring
runoff.
Livestock grazing is the principal use of land in the
area. A small amount of hay is raised, especially on the
bottomland of Tongue River and Deer Creek valleys.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The geologic structure in the Decker area is more com-
plex than in most of the Powder River Basin; only Kirby
and some parts of the Sheridan, Wyoming, area are more
so. The complexity of structure is probably due to the
proximity of the Big Horn uplift and the axis of the
Powder River Basin. Furthermore, the Decker area is on
the north flank of the Ash Creek anticline, which con-
tains a producing oil field.
Of the several prominent structural features in the
Decker coal field (PI-1), the most striking are the clearly
defined northeast and northwest lineations consisting of
fault-controlled topographic features. The northwest line-
ations are easily discernible, as they are followed by the
North and South Fork of Monument Creek, Spring Creek,
South Fork of Spring Creek, Pearson Creek, Squirrel
Creek, Dry Creek, and Youngs Creek.
Except for the valley of Tongue River, the northeast-
trending features are not as obvious because the faults are
masked. These faults have the down-dropped block on
the southeast side except in the South Fork of Spring
Creek, where the upthrown block is on the southeast side
of the fault. Three parallel faults in T. 9 S., R. 38,39, and
40 E., are difficult to follow for long distances, but in
some places they have an apparent displacement of as
much as 200 feet.
The fault in sec. 16, T. 9 S., R.40 E., just south of the
Decker mining area, has a displacement of about 120 feet,
the southeast block being down-dropped, as shown by
drill hole SH-7090 on the west line of sec. 22, T. 9 S.,
R. 40 E. The displacement along the fault in sec. 29 and 30,
T. 9 S., R.40 E., is also approximately 120 feet, the south
block being down-dropped. Strata in the Decker area dip
gently southeastward 40 to 69 feet per mfle except in
T. 8 S., R. 39 E., where the dip is about one degree. In
small areas, however, relatively steep dips are associated
with faulting, especially in sec. 21, T. 9 S., R. 40 E., and in
sec. 29 and 33, T. 9 S., R. 39 E.
Altitudes of the top of the Roland coal bed as deter-
mined by drilling in the Squirrel Creek coal field (PI. 4),
indicate a dip to the southwest.
Prominent structural features in the Deer Creek coal
field (PI. 2) include the northwest lineation of the drain-
age patterns of Deer Creek and Corral Creek. Three
northeast-trending faults have been mapped in T. 9 S.,
R. 40 and 41 E. The down-thrown block is on the south-
east except on the southernmost fault, which crosses
through sec.36,1.9 S.,R.40 E., and the NE& sec. 31 and
SEV4 sec. 30, T. 9 S., R. 41 E. There the down-thrown
block is on the north side (Law and Grazis, 1972). Struc-
ture contours in the Deer Creek deposit indicate that the
dip is to the southwest, but locally it is reversed. A small
syncline in sec. 12 and 13,T. 9 S., R. 40 E., occupies an
area where the distance between the Anderson and the
underlying Dietz No. 1 coal bed changes abruptly. The
dip in the south half of sec. 13 and extending into sec. 23,
T.9 S., R. 40 E., is about one degree. In sec. 5,6, 7, and 8,
T. 9 S., R. 41 E., the dip is relatively flat but steepens
again farther northeast and again approaches one degree.
-------
K)
to
Table 4.-Trace-«lement analydf, Decker coal field.
(Semiquantitative 6-step ipectrographic)
Drillhole Depth Lab. Coal
Element, ppm.
and location
BMC-723
8S41ES30
BDCD
BMC-727
8S 38E S36
CDBD
BMC-728
9S 39E S25
CDBA
BMC-729
9S 39E S29
CDBA
sampled
98 to
107 ft.
107 to
110ft.
240 to
247ft
231 to
232 ft.
116 to
127 ft. '
127 to
137 ft.
137 to
140 ft.
number bed
Dietz
458-
D160662
459-
D160663
Dietz
462-
D160666
Anderson
463-
D160667
Anderson
464-
D160668
465-
D160669
466-
D160670
B Ba Be Co Cr Ga La Mn Mo Nb Ni Sc Sn Sr Ti V Y Yb Zr
1500 15000 30 70 30 500 70 20 30 30 30 7000 5000 200 30 3 200
en
V
%
300 3000 7 30 70 30 70 200 70 20 30 30 3000 3000 300 50 5 150 >
5
0
o
1000 5000 20 70 30 500 100 20 30 20 15000 5000 300 30 3 150 >
ta
O
i
700 10000 15 50 20 500 200 20 20 20 30 7000 5000 150 30 3 200 >
n
§
S
O
700 7000 15 50 20 100 50 20 15 15 5000 5000 150 30 3 200 *
£
>
700 10000 15 50 30 150 30 15 15 7000 3000 150 20 2 100
300 7000 3 15 70 30 70 100 50 70 15 3000 3000 150 50 3 100
-------
Table 5.-Trace-element analysis of coal and ash, Decker coal field.
Element, ppm in coal
Element, ppm in ash
Drill hole
and location
BMC-723
8S 41E S30
BDCD
BMC-727
8S 38E S36
CDBD
BMC-728
9S 39E S25
CDBA
BMC-729
9S 39E S29
CDBA
Depth
sampled
98 to
107ft
107 to
110ft.
240 to
247 ft.
231 to
232 ft.
116 to
127 ft.
127 to
137 ft.
137 to
140 ft.
Lab. Coal
sample bed As F Hg Sb Se Te Tl U Cd Cu Li Pb Zn Ash%
Dietz 2 40 .035 43.3 <.l .1 <.2 <.2 335 27 185 3.20
458-
D160662
459- 2 30 .082 13.7 .4 .1 <.2 .8 1.5 385 130 275 180 6.80
D160663
Dietz 2 10 .037 4.7 <.l <.02 <.2 <.2 <1.0 420 50 545 175 3.25
462-
D160666
Anderson 3 10 .051 19.1 <.l .02 <.2 .4 <1.0 605 93 1660 195 4.56
463-
D160667
Anderson 1 30 .044 3.8 .2 <.02 <.2 <.2 <1.0 245 31 300 83 4.56
464-
D160668
465- 1 20 .030 1.9 <.l <02 <.2 <.2 <1.0 180 28 195 93 3.43
D160669
466- 3 30 .106 1.8 .6 <.02 <.2 1.2 1.5 145 44 120 240 7.12
D160670
z
2
D
i
0
W
g
f
g
o
so
>
%
K)
-------
Table 6.-Major constituents of ash, Decker coal field.
Drill hole
and location
SH-703
8S 40E S26
CCAB
SH-7010
8S 40E S15
CBBA
SH-7017
8S38ES12
BCDC
SH-7018
9S 40E S19
BCBA
BMC-727
8S 38E S36
CDBD
BMC-728
9S 39E S25
CDBA
BMC-729
9S 39E S29
CDBA
Depth
sampled
106 to
130 ft.
124 to
152 ft.
142 to
165 ft.
215 to
218 ft.
240 to
247ft.-
231 to
232 ft.
116 to
127 ft.
127 to
137 ft.
137 to
140 ft.
Lab. Coal
number bed
Canyon
160-162
Dietz
171-173
Anderson
187-189
Anderson
190
Dietz
462-
D160666
Anderson
463-
D160667
Anderson
464-
D160668
464-
D160669
464-
D160670
Constituent, %
A1203
15.6
12.4
14.7
16.6
13.0
10.0
10.0
14.0
18.0
CaO
6.7
4.5
22.3
13.7
24.0
14.0
18.0
23.0
11.0
1*203
3.4
2.0
5.3
3.5
4.1
4.2
3.9
5.5
4.1
K20
1.4
1.9
.6
.5
.6
.3
.3
.4
1.3
MgO
1.4
1.8
5.2
2.5
8.7
3.3
9.3
12.3
5.7
Na20
7.0
2.2
8.8
6.4
2.3
6.1
1.8
1.9
.9
P205
.2
.4
.9
1.0
.2
.3
.7
4.4
3.8
Si02
48.2
61.6
29.7
42.0
16.0
37.0
41.0
14.0
25.0
SO3 TiO2 Total
10.9 .8 95.6
5.0 .8 92.6
10.9 1.1 99.5
8.4 2.2 96.8
20.0
12.0
13.0
16.0
16.0
CO
H
2
•O
to
M
O
O
r
en
O
G
SB
w
CO
H
n
V
z
s
o
2!
H
Z
-------
Table 7.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfui, and heating value, Deer Creek coal field.
Proximate, %
Form of sulfur, %
Drillhole
and location
SH-7020
9S 40E S35
DBCD
SH-7022
9S41ES10
ADCD
BMC-723
8S41ES30
BDCD
Depth Lab. Coal
sampled number bed
Anderson
193 to
201 ft. 192
201 to
207 ft. 193
207 to
212 ft. 194
Smith
41 to
50 ft. 197
Dietz
98 to
107 ft. 458
107 to
110ft. 459
Form of
analysis / Moisture
A 24.770
B
C
A 25.550
B
C
A 19.270
B
C
A 27.900
B
C
A 24.840
B
C
A 25.350
B
C
Volatile
matter
32.136
42.717
45.012
32.912
44.207
46.210
21.066
26.094
39.438
31.309
43.424
47.982
31.163
41.462
42.922
31.116
41.682
44.785
Fixed
carbon
39.259
52.186
54.988
38.311
51.458
53.790
32.349
40.070
60.562
33.942
47.076
52.018
41.440
55.135
57.078
38.362
51.390
55.215
Ash
3.834
5.097
3.228
4.335
27.315
33.835
6.849
9.499
2.557
3.403
5.172
6.928
Sulfur
.777
1.033
1.088
.380
.510
.533
.733
.908
1.372
.591
.819
.905
.300
.399
.413
.725
.972
1.044
Sulfate
.017
.022
.023
.008
.011
.012
.026
.032
.048
.090
.125
.138
.016
.021
.022
.008
.010
.011
Pyritic
.314
.417
.440
.025
.033
.035
.284
.352
.533
.148
.205
.226
.032
.042
.043
.148
.199
.213 •
Organic
.446
.593
.625
.347
.466
.487
.422
.523
.791
.353
.489
.541
.253
.336
.348
.569
.763
.820
Heating
value (Btu)
9247
12291
12951
9179
12330
12888
6594
8168
12345
8272
11473
12678
9561
12722
13170
9142
12247
13158
I
D
r
DEPOSl
ITS— DECK
n
po
V
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
26
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
This flexure has allowed exposure of the Anderson coal
bed along the valley bottom, and its subsequent burning
in sec. 3,4, and 9, T. 9 S., R. 41 E.
In the Roland coal deposit (PI. 3) the structure of the
Roland bed is irregular. The highest altitude exceeds
4,000 feet, as shown in drill hole SH-7024 in sec. 25, T. 8 S.,
R. 41 E., and the lowest is 3,656 feet, as shown in drill
hole SH-7021 in the southwestern part of the deposit.
COAL BEDS
In the Decker area, coal beds in the upper part of the
Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation that
contain strippable coal include the Roland, Smith, Ander-
son, Dietz No. 1, and Dietz No. 2 coal beds. Because re-
serves in the Smith coal bed are small, they are not shown
on the maps. The coal beds in the Decker area have been
correlated with those in the Hanging Woman Creek and
Kirby areas (PI. 33).
The major coal beds in the Decker area present an op-
portunity to study characteristics of coal-bed splitting
and coal-field structure. Near the center of the Decker
coal deposit, the Anderson, Dietz No. 1, and Dietz No. 2
coal beds are combined into a single bed approximately
80 feet thick. At the Decker mine, in sec. 16, T. 9 S.,
R. 40 E., east of the center of Plate 1, the Anderson and
Dietz No. 1 remain combined and form a bed approxi-
mately 50 feet thick, but the Dietz No. 2 coal bed di-
verges from it and lies 50 feet below it. West of the center
of Plate 1, the Dietz No. 1 and Dietz No. 2 remain com-
bined, but the Anderson bed splits from it.
In the valleys of Spring Creek and South Fork of
Spring Creek in T. 8 S., R. 39 E., the combined thickness
of the Anderson, Dietz No. 1, and Dietz No. 2 coal aver-
ages 80 feet, but reaches a maximum of 87 feet. In the
Squirrel Creek drainage, the thickness of the combination
also averages about 80 feet, and in the Youngs Creek area
it totals 73 feet, as shown in drill hole BMC-729, sec. 29,
T. 9 S., R. 39 E. The uppermost bed in this drill hole is
correlated with the Anderson bed and has a thickness of
35 feet. The underlying strata contain three coal beds 6,
20, and 12 feet thick, which are correlated with the
Dietz No. 1 and Dietz No. 2 coal beds (PI. 1,33).
In the northeastern part of the Decker area, a promi-
nent burn line marks the limit of unburned coal in the
Anderson and Dietz No. 1 coal beds. The Dietz No. 2
coal bed, however, contains strippable reserves beneath
the clinker north and northeast into T. 8 S., R. 40 E. Be-
neath the burn of the Anderson and Dietz No. 1, the
Dietz No. 2 bed ranges from 14 to 20 feet in thickness.
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-------
Table 9.-Proximtte analysis, forms of sulfur, and besting value, Roland coal field.
Drillhole
and location
SH-702
9S 40E S26
DDDA
SH-7019
9S 40E S36
ADDB
SH-7021
9S41ES19
BAAC
SH-7023
9S 41E S23
ACAB
SH-7024
8S41ES:5
ABCA
SH-7027
9S42ES18
BDCA
SH-7029
9S 42E S23
BBCB
Depth Lab.
sampled number
53 to
63ft.
74 to
83ft.
54 to
60ft.
60 to
65ft.
30 to
31ft.
166 to
170 ft.
53to
63ft.
52 to
61 ft
68 to
76ft.
159
191
195
196
198
201
199
202
203
Coal
bed
Roland
Roland
Roland
Local
Smith
Roland
Roland
Roland
Form of
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
ProximateL%
Form of sulfur. %
Moisture
25.920
27.160
25.750
24.990
19.480
12.960
36.300
35.790
30.230
Volatile
matter
28.204
38.072
40.201
32.291
44.332
46.752
37.072
49.928
54.142
29.290
39.048
44.842
31.685
39.350
46.453
25.604
29.416
45.040
28.615
44.921
49.485
27.573
42.942
48.188
37.275
53.426
57.310
Fixed
carbon
41.953
56.632
59.799
36.778
50.491
53.248
31.400
42.289
45.858
36.028
48.031
55.158
36.524
45.360
53.547
31.243
35.895
54.960
29.211
45.857
50.515
29.647
46.172
51.812
27.767
39.798
42.690
Ash
3.924
5.296
3.771
5.177
5.779
7.783
9.691
12.920
12.311
15.289
30.193
34.689
5.875
9.223
6.990
10.886
4.728
6.776
Sulfur
.238
.321
.339
.193
.265
.279
.296
.399
.432
.250
.333
.382
3.562
4.424
5.222
.957
1.099
1.683
.674
1.058
1.166
.290
.452
.507
.235
.337
.362
Sulfate
.025
.034
.036
.008
.011
.012
.016
.022
.024
.017
.022
.025
.156
.194
.229
.037
.043
.065
.035
.056
.061
.021
.032
.036
.015
.022
.023
Pyritic
.076
.103
.109
.032
.044
.047
.066
.089
.096
.042
.055
.064
2.302
2.859
3.375
.409
.470
.719
.220
.345
.380
.062
.097
.109
.030
.044
.047
Organic
.136
.183
.194
.153
.210
.221
.214
.288
.312
.191
.255
.293
1.103
1.370
1.618
.511
.587
.899
.419
.657
.724
.207
.323
.362
.190
.272
.292
Heating
value (Btu)
8876
11981
12651
9114
12512
13196
8493
11438
12403
8417
11221
12886
8748
10864
12825
7607
8739
13381
7021
11022
12142
7120
11089
12443
8086
11590
12433
5
o
IVIDUAl
, DEPOSI'
»
I
pa
n
/A, as received; B, moisture free;C, moisture and ash free.
to
•vl
-------
Table lO.-Major constituents of ash, Roland coal field.
4XAJU1 I1V1V
and location
SH-702
9S 40E S26
DDDA
SH-7019
9S 40E S36
ADDB
SH-7021
9S41ES19
BAAC
SH-7023
95 41E S23
ACAB
SH-7024
8S 41E S25
ABCA
SH-7027
9S42ES18
BDCA
SH-7029
9S 42E S23
BBCB
LSVJJUl
sampled
53 to
63ft.
74 to
83ft.
54 to
65ft.
30 to
31ft.
166 to
170 ft.
53 to-
63ft.
52 to
61ft.
68 to
76ft.
U1U.
number
159
191
195-196
198
201
199
202
203
V.UBI
bed
Roland
Roland
Roland
Local
Smith
Roland
Roland
Roland
Alj03
10.9
14.0
17.8
14.1
10.9
16.2
18.6
14.3
CaO
21.6
20.5
16.2
7.4
1.3
17.4
12.9
14.5
Fe,03
13.2
12.2
5.9
30.7
3.3
9.3
6.2
4.7
KjO
.2
.2
1.7
.9
1.7
.5
1.2
.3
MgO
4.4
3.4
2.8
3.4
.6
5.9
3.5
3.9
NajO
4.4
6.3
1.2
.8
1.4
.7
4.6
9.4
P20S
•°1.2
. 2.4
1.0
.1
.3
3.0
1.4
.4
SiO2
21.7
23.9
43.5
32.4
73.8
26.9
38.2
37.5
SO3
17.6
11.8
7.3
5.6
1.6
17.4
8.5
11.8
Ti02
.5
.6
.6
.5
.4
.5
.7
1.5
Total
95.7
95.3
98.0
95.9
95.3
97.8
95.8
98.3
1
B)
W
O
o
r*
CO
0
2
S
w
H
a
91
Z
2
O
•z
•-3
55
>
-------
Table 11 .-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Squirrel Creek coal field.
Proximate, %
Form of sulfur. %
Drillhole
and location
SH-7032
9SR39ES11
ACBB
SH-7033
8S R39E S34
BDAB
SH-7034
8S R39E S20
CDDB
SH-7035
9S R39E S21
BABA
SH-7036
9S R39E S17
ADCB
Depth
sampled
28 to
36ft.
38 to
46ft.
46 to
48ft.
35 to
42ft.
42 to
46ft.
35 to
45ft.
30 to
33ft.
33 to
36ft.
Lab.
number
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
Coal
bed
Roland
Roland
Roland
Roland
Roland
Form of
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
1,
Moisture
34.090
29.750
30.050
30.520
28.560
28.710
36.710
31.730
Volatile
matter
24.607
37.334
47.562
31.200
44.412
47.525
28.709
41.043
45.367
29.108
41.895
43.965
31.124
43.567
45.816
30.578
42.892
44.749
28.155
44.486
46.892
28.152
41.236
44.987
Fixed
carbon
27.130
41.162
52.438
34.450
49.039
52.475
34.573
49.426
54.633
37.100
53.396
56.035
36.808
51.523
54.184
37.753
52.957
55.251
31.887
50.382
53.108
34.426
50.427
55.013
Ash
14.174
21.505
4.601
6.549
6.667
9.532
3.272
4.709
3.508
4.910
2.959
4.150
3.248
5.133
5.692
8.337
Sulfur
.196
.297
.378
.259
.369
.395
.278
.398
.440
.624
.898
.942
.292
.409
.430
.198
.277
.289
.163
.258
.272
.344
.503
.549
Sulfate
.015
.022
.028
.008
.011
.012
.008
.011
.012
.015
.022
.023
.000
.000
.000
.016
.022
.023
.007
.011
.012
.015
.022
.024
Pyritic
.058
.088
.112
.079
.112
.120
.077
.110
.122
.169
.244
.256
.073
.102
.108
.063
.089
.093
.064
.101
.107
.090
.131
.143
Organic
.123
.187
.238
.173
.246
.263
.193
.276
.3Q5
.439
.632
.663
.219
.307
.323
.119
.166
.174
.092
.146
.154
.239
' .350
.382
Heating
value (Btu)
6608
10026
12773
8082
11504
12310
7866
11246
12431
7996
11508
12077
8265
11569
12166
8286
11624
12127
7225
11416
12034
7462
10930
11924
D
D
D
n
D
n
o
p
>
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
10
VO
-------
30
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
In the Deer Creek coal deposit (PI. 2, 33) east of the
Tongue River Reservoir, the Anderson, Dietz No. 1, and
Dietz No. 2 coal beds are all separated by partings. Near
the Tongue River Reservoir, the parting between the
Anderson and Dietz No. 1 is about 20 feet but it increases
eastward to 60 feet. The parting between the Dietz No. 1
and Dietz No. 2 ranges from 50 to 80 feet throughout
the area.
In the Deer Creek coal field, the Anderson, Dietz No. 1,
and Dietz No. 2 coal beds contain strippable reserves
over a large area, but in various parts of the field the
Anderson and Dietz No. 1 beds have burned, leaving re-
serves only in the Dietz No. 2 coal bed. The Anderson
coal reserves are in sec. 12, 13, 14, 22, and 23, T. 9 S.,
R. 40 E., and in sec. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, and
18, T. 9 S., R. 41 E. The Anderson coal bed in this area
averages 20 feet in thickness. Where the Anderson bed
has burned or has been removed by erosion, the Dietz
No. 1 and Dietz No. 2 coal beds still contain strippable
coal. The Dietz No. 1 coal extends throughout the area
except in sec. 36, T. 8 S., R. 40 E, and sec. 1 and 2, T. 9 S.,
R. 40 E. Only the Dietz No. 2 bed remains unburned
throughout the area. The principal reserves in the Dietz
No. 1 and Dietz No. 2 coal beds include the west half of
sec. 1 and sec. 2, 12, 13, and 14, T.9S., R.40 E., and sec.
6, 7, and 8, T. 9 S., R. 41 E. The Dietz No. 1 and Dietz No. 2
coal beds are each about 1 8 feet thick.
Additional strippable reserves are inferred along Corral
Creek in sec. 1 9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32,
T. 8 S., R. 41 E. The deposit is limited by the burn at the
outcrop and by high ground to the southeast.
The Roland coal bed is approximately 350 feet above
the top of the Anderson coal bed and underlies the high
divides both east and west of the Tongue River. In the
Roland (PI. 3) and Squirrel Creek (PI. 4) coal deposits,
the thickness of the Roland bed ranges from 6 to 14 feet.
The Smith coal bed is below the Roland and about 182
feet above the Anderson bed, as shown in drill hole SH-
7022 in sec. 10, T. 9 S., R. 41 E.
i
•5
S
I
1
i
i
\o
00
vq
r^
oo
o\
V0
« q
o •*
.£* O*
O „>•
tn «o
\o
vo
m
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—KIRBY
31
Bureau analyses of ash constituents are shown in Tables
6,8,10, and 12; these tables also include results reported
by the US. Geological Survey laboratories, Denver. Trace-
element analyses, shown in Tables 4 and 5, were reported
by the U.S. Geological Survey laboratories, Denver, (U.S.
Geological Survey Open-File Report, 1973). Analyses of
four core samples from the combined Anderson and Dietz
No. 1 coal beds reported that the Decker deposit showed
a calorific value of 10,250 Btu, fixed carbon ranging from
30 to 45%, volatile matter ranging from 30 to 37%, mois-
ture 15.60%, and ash 3.9% (Ayler, Smith, and Deutman,
1969, p. 17). Analyses of two core samples of the Dietz
No. 2 bed, which has an average thickness of 18.2 feet,
showed a calorific value of 9,600 Btu, fixed carbon 30 to
45%, volatile matter 34 to 43%, moisture 21.0%, and ash
4.87%. All values are reported on the "as received" basis,
as determined by Pacific Power and Light Company, and
they are comparable with the results obtained under our
project.
COAL RESERVES
The coal reserves in the Decker area are shown indi-
vidually by coal deposit on Table 2. Reserves in the
Decker coal field (PI. 1) total 2,239,990,000 tons in the
Anderson, Dietz No. 1, and Dietz No. 2 coal beds. Re-
serves in the Deer Creek coal field (PI. 2) total 495,650,000
tons, reported as 410,470,000 tons indicated and
85,180,000 inferred. Reserves in the Roland coal field
(PI. 3) total 218,040,000 tons, and in the Squirrel Creek
(PI. 4) coal deposit, 133,410,000 tons.
KIRBY COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Kirby coal deposit (PI. 5A, B, and C) lies in T. 6
and 7 S., R. 39 and 40 £., and in the narrow strip on the
eastern edge of T. 6 and 7 S., R. 38 E., that lies east of
the Crow Indian Reservation boundary, Big Horn County.
The maps of the Kirby area show strippable reserves in
the Anderson and Wall coal beds (PI. 5A), in the Dietz
coal bed (PI. SB), and in the Canyon coal bed (PI. 5C).
The area is bounded on the north by the Northern Chey-
enne Indian Reservation boundary, on the west by the
Crow Indian Reservation boundary, and on the south by
the limit of strippable coal or the area where burning has
removed the coal. The eastern boundary is the eastern
side of the divide between the Tongue River and Rosebud
Creek or the area where burning has removed the coal.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
Extensive field work and interpretation were required
on the Kirby area because of the structural complexity.
Drilling was begun during the 1969 field season, and addi-
tional holes were drilled during the 1970 field season. In
midwinter 1972-73, more holes were drilled to verify
some of the interpretations and to assist in the final prep-
aration of the maps. After the first drilling in 1969, prep-
aration of a structure map was attempted, but the area
was more complex than had been expected. In the sum-
mer of 1972, detailed field mapping on topographic maps
and black-and-white photos was completed for six 7&-
minute quadrangles extending from Rosebud Creek to
the Tongue River in the vicinity of Birney. Much of the
next whiter was spent interpreting this work and in form-
ulating the structure and overburden maps. Gulf Mineral
Resources Company supplied colored aerial photos of
the area, and Pat McDonough of Billings provided logs of
drill holes in the Rosebud Creek area.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Kirby area was mapped and described in a U.S.
Geological Survey report on the northern extension of
the Sheridan coal field (Baker, 1929) and in a US. Bureau
of Mines report on the strippable coal in Montana (Ayler,
Smith, and Deutman, 1969).
LAND OWNERSHIP
Most of the surface is privately owned, with the ex-
ception of sec. 16 and 36 in each township, which are
owned by the State of Montana, and a small amount of
surface in T. 6 and 7 S., R.40 E., which is public domain.
Most of the coal, however, is owned by the Federal Gov-
ernment. The state owns the coal underlying its tracts,
and some coal is owned in fee by individuals in the valley
bottom along Rosebud Creek.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The surface features within the area of the Kirby coal
deposit range from the rolling prairie on the high divide
between the Tongue River and Rosebud Creek to the
deeply incised valleys of Rosebud Creek and its steep
tributaries that are bordered by rugged bluffs. Also prom-
inent is the rugged topography on the east side of the
divide where tributaries of the Tongue River such as Can-
yon Creek, Fourmile Creek, and Post Creek are deeply in-
cised. Ponderosa pine grows on clinkered areas along
the steep valley sides. Rosebud Creek flows north and
joins the Yellowstone near Rosebud.
The principal land use is livestock grazing. Hay is
raised along the narrow valleys of Rosebud Creek and
some of its tributaries of the Tongue River on the east
side of the divide. On part of the high divide area be-
-------
32
STRIP?ABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Table 13.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Kirby coal deposit
ANDERSON BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to ISO
Total
Total
73.87
261.05
425.34
760.26
1.48
3.15
5.08
Average 3.51
Total
1,387.7 35,922.7
2,157.8 38,414.1
2.109.8 39.709.8
5,655.3 Average 38,285.2
DIETZ BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
200 to 250
Total
180.00
243.95
248.02
80.00
82.38
834.35
232.93
681.78
1.097.66
290.74
379.58
Total 2,682.69
Average
1.29
2.79
4.43
3.63
4.61
3.22
Total
4,371.2
5,632.0
5,440.0
1,030.4
1.043.2
17,516.8
Average
41,178.6
43,314.9
45,591.9
77,639.8
78.968.6
47,630.9
CANYON BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
Total
19.56
58.31
78.31
2.35
158.53
Total
Average
1.42
3.10
5.11
7.23
3.95
Total
Average
37,278.44
38,998.12
39,423.07
38.971.80
38,983.42
WALL BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
ISO to 200
200 to 250
Total
Total
38.0
112.69
213.65
428.16
628.16
1,420.66
0.67
1.52
2.54
3.54
4.56
Average 2.99
Total
Average
79,647.0
79,647.9
79,469.0
79,646.8
79.523.9
79,579.7
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS-KIRBY
33
tween Rosebud Creek and the Tongue River, grain is cul-
tivated by dry-land fanning.
The area in sec. 16,17,18,19,20, 21, and 22, T. 7 S.,
R. 39 £., has historic value as the site of the battle be-
tween Captain Crook and the Sioux on June 17, 1876.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The relative complexity of the geologic structure in
the Kirby area is the result of numerous faults, which
have caused local reversal in the generally southeast dip
of the Tongue River beds.
The Kirby coal deposit seems to occupy a zone where
the trend of lineations changes from northwest to north-
south and east-west. Along the valleys of Canyon Creek,
Fourmile Creek, and Post Creek in T. 6 and 7 S., R. 40 E.,
the northwest lineations are obvious. In the Rosebud
Creek tributaries, north-south and east-west lineations are
visible. Rosebud Creek flows northward, and in the south-
western part of T. 7 S., R. 39 E., it seems to be controlled
by this structural pattern.
The faults in the area, although difficult to see except
in local small areas, are depicted graphically on Plate 33,
cross section SC-K, as normal tensional features. They
have been projected on the basis of surface mapping,
color-photo interpretation, and drill-hole data. Displace-
ment of most of the faults ranges from only a few feet to
about 200 feet. In the northeast corner of T. 7 S., R. 39 E.,
a graben has dropped the Tongue River strata, as illus-
trated on Plate 5A, which shows the Anderson coal bed.
COAL BEDS
The strippable coal beds in the Kirby area are in the
upper part of the Tongue River Member and include,
from top to bottom, the Anderson, Dietz No. 1 and No.
2, the Canyon, and the Wall coal beds, all of which are
correlated with beds of the same name in the Decker
area. The Smith and Cook coal beds have also been
mapped in the area. The Smith bed, above the Anderson
bed, is 9 feet thick, as measured in drill hole SH-731A,
in the NWtt sec. 27,- T. 7 S., R. 39 E. The Cook bed
forms two benches lying between the Canyon and Wall
coal beds. Thickness of the upper bench reaches 11 feet;
the lower bench ranges from a trace to 3 feet.
The Anderson coal bed contains large strippable re-
serves. The bed is thickest near the Big Bend of the Rose-
bud, sec. 21 and 22, T. 7 S., R. 39 E., where it is 30 feet
thick. It thins northeastward to 8 feet as in drill hole SH-
41 in sec. 26, T. 6 S., R. 39 E. In drill hole SH-736, the
Anderson coal bed has a thickness of 26 feet, and a lower
bench 4 feet thick lies 3 feet below the thick end. The
combined Dietz No. 1 and No. 2 is only 10 feet below
the base of the lower bench of the Anderson coal bed in
this area. The Anderson and Dietz beds split northward,
as shown on the cross section SC-K, Plate 33.
The Dietz No. 1 and No. 2 beds are combined in the
southwestern part of the mapped area and are almost SO
feet thick, but they thin and split northeastward. In the
north part of the area (PI. 5B), only the reserves in the
Dietz No. 1 bed are included, although the Dietz No. 2
bed may contain additional reserves.
Because the Canyon coal bed crops out on the steep
sides of Rosebud Creek valley, it does not contain nearly
as large strippable reserves as the Anderson or the Dietz
coal beds. The thickness trend exhibited by the Anderson
and Dietz No. 1 and No. 2 coal beds is not followed by
the Canyon coal bed. It is thickest in the northernmost
part of the area, as in drill hole SH-36 in sec. 16, T. 6 S.,
R. 39 E., where it is 25 feet thick. It thins southward and
is 16 feet thick in sec. 9, T. 7 S., R. 39 E.
The Wall coal bed is below the floor and along the
sides of Rosebud Creek valley and along the floor of sev-
eral tributary valleys in T. 6 S., R. 39 E. Steep-sided
clinker-capped ridges along Rosebud Creek preclude strip-
ping of the Wall coal bed in any very large areas. The coal
bed is as much as 54 feet thick in the Kirby deposit, and
the thickness averages nearly 50 feet in a large area ex-
tending into T. 7 S., R 39 and 40 E. Farther east in drill
hole SH-50 in sec. 1, T. 7 S., R. 40 E., the Wall bed is 60
feet thick.
COAL QUALITY
Samples of the Anderson, Dietz No. 1, Dietz No. 2,
and Canyon coal beds were obtained for analysis. Ana-
lytical results are shown in Tables 14 and 15.
COAL RESERVES
Strippable coal reserves in the Kirby coal deposit have
been mapped in the Anderson, combined Dietz No. 1 and
No. 2, Canyon, and Wall coal beds. Indicated reserves for
these coal beds are shown on Table 13.
Total reserves are: Anderson coal bed, 216,520,000
tons; Dietz No. 1 and No. 2 beds, 834,350,000 tons; Can-
yon bed, 158,530,000 tons; Wall coal bed, 473,690,000
tons. The total strippable reserves are 1,683,090,000 tons.
-------
Table 14.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Kirby coal deposit.
'Ximate. %
Form of sulfur. %
Drill hole
and location
SH-31
7S 40E SB
ACAD
SH-35
6S 39E S14
BBCA
SH-36
6S39ES16
BADC
SH-37
7S 39E S24
BBCB
SH-38
7S39ES11
DACD
SH-39
7S 39E S10
ADBB
SHAl
6S 39E S26
CADD
Depth
sampled
35 to
45ft.
96 to
106ft.
106 to
112ft.
89 to
99ft
104 to
113ft.
113 to
123 ft.
123 to
130ft.
40 to
49ft.
49 to
58ft.
S8V4to
60ft.
73 to
81ft.
108 to
117ft.
117 to
126 ft.
70 to
74ft.
92 to
100ft.
Lab.
number
83
84
85
87
77
78
79
80
82
81
88
101
102
108
109
Coal Form of
bed analysis
Anderson A
B
C
A
Dietz B
C
A
B
C
Dietz A
B
C
Canyon A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Anderson A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Anderson A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Dietz No. 1 A
B
C
Dietz No. 1 A
B
C
i
/ Moisture
29.490
28.310
29.800
28.230
27.170
27.770
16.390
27.040
25.550
26.630
31570
27.630
22.090
24.010
27.870
Volatile
matter
26.757
37.948
42.885
28.679
40.005
42.949
28.002
39.889
41.752
29.772
41.483
45.743
26.897
36.932
38.653
31.430
43.513
45.699
30.584
36.580
41.979
29.274
40.123
42.512
29.861
40.109
42.437
30.934
42.162
44.515
28.973
42.339
45.098
31.270
43.209
45.183
33.494
42.990
45.539
26.079
34.319
36.467
31.853
44.160
47.419
Vixed
carbon
35.636
50.541
57.115
38.096
53.140
57.051
39.066
55.649
58.248
35.313
49.203
54.257
42.690
58.616
61.347
37.345
51.703
54.301
42.271
50.558
58.021
39.587
54.258
57.488
40.504
54.405
57.563
38.558
52.552
55.485
35.271
51.544
54.902
37.938
52.422
54.817
40.056
ititt
45.434
59.790
63.533
35.320
48.967
52.581
Ash
8.116
11.511
4.914
6.855
3.132
4.462
6.684
9.313
3.243
4.453
3.455
4.783
10.754
12.863
4.100
5.619
4.084
5.486
3.878
5.286
4.186
6.117
3.162
4.369
4.360
5.596
4.477
5.891
4.957
6.872
Sulfur
.650
.922
1.042
.288
.402
.431
.251
.357
.374
.277
.387
.426
.224
.307
.321
.216
.300
.315
.280
.335
.384
.262
.359
.381
.212
.285
.301
.432
.589
.621
.368
.537
J72
.185
.256
.267
.326
.419
.444
2.375
3.126
3.322
.314
.436
.468
Sulfate
.064
.091
.103
.033
.046
.049
.008
.012
.012
.000
.000
.000
.026
.035
.037
.024
.033
.035
.019
.022
.026
.042
.058
.061
.017
.023
.024
.042
.057
.060
.023
.034
.037
.000
.000
.000
.009
.012
.012
.377
.497
.528
.033
.046
.049
Pyritic
.072
.102
.116
.049
.069
.074
.024
.035
.036
.067
.094
.103
.052
.071
.074
.040
.055
.058
.075
.089
.102
.042
.058
.061
.051
.068
.072
.066
.091
.096
.078
.114
.122
.042
.058
.061
.045
.058
.062
.772
1.016
1.079
.058
.080
.086
Organic
.514
.729
.823
.206
.287
.308
.219
.311
.326
.210
.293
.323
.146
.201
.210
.152
.211
.221
.187
.223
.256
.178
.243
.258
.144
.193
.205
.324
.441
.466
.266
.389
.414
.143
.198
.207
.272
.349
.370
1.226
1.614
1.715
.223
.310
.333
Heating
value (Btu)
7277
10321
11664
8275
11543
12393
8308
11834
12387
8383
11680
12879
9113
12513
13096
8446
11693
12281
8808
10534
12089
8391
11500
12185
8637
11601
12275
8491
11573
12219
7708
11265
11999
8422
11637
12169
8864
11378
12052
7467
9826
10441
8074
11194
12020
"
#
|
to
n
o
o
•
en
9
S
09
SO
z
i
>
-------
SH-56
7SR39ES18
DDCD
SH-107
7S R40E S30
BAAA
SH-722
6S R39E S35
OCBD
SH-7012
7S R40E S29
CDBC
72 to
82ft.
82 to
90ft.
90 to
97ft.
35 to
43ft.
90 to
94ft.
152 to
162 ft.
162 to
172 ft.
Ill to
120 ft.
120 to
130ft.
98 to
107 ft.
107 to
116ft.
116 to
126 ft.
129 to
139 ft.
139 to
146 ft.
Anderson
131
132
133
143
144
145
146
481
482
174
175
176
177
178
Anderson
Dietz No. 1
Dietz No. 2
Dietz No. 1
Dietz No. 1
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
27.200
28.400
25.910
22.370
21.500
24.910
22.040
27.930
31.140
26.220
27.150
28.720
28.430
25.340
30.133
41.392
43.962
30.210
42.193
44.205
31.378
42.351
45.052
33.406
43.032
45.006
33.440
42.598
44.815
30.216
40.240
42.271
32.262
41.383
43.462
30.994
43.005
45.798
28.776
41.790
43.816
29.110
39.455
47.027
30.712
42.158
45.160
31.362
43.999
46.092
28.344
39.603
46.840
29.399
39.377
48.516
38.411
52.763
56.038
38.130
53.255
55.795
38.270
51.653
54.948
40.821
52.584
54.994
41.178
52.456
55.185
41.266
54.956
57.729
41.968
53.833
56.538
36.682
50.897
54.202
36.899
53.586
56.184
32.790
44.443
52.973
37.295
51.194
54.840
36.681
51.460
53.908
32.168
44.946
53.160
31.198
41.786
51.484
4.255
5.845
3.260
4.553
4.443
5.996
3.403
4.384
3.882
4.946
3.608
4.805
3.729
4.784
4.395
6.098
3.184
4.624
11.880
16.102
4.843
6.648
3.237
4.541
11.058
15.451
14.064
18.837
.273
.375
.398
.229
.320
.336
.389
.524
.558
.209
.269
.281
.222
.283
.298
.201
.268
.281
.234
.300
.315
.246
.342
.364
.346
.503
.527
1.520
2.061
2.456
.360
.494
.529
.229
.322
.337
.398
.556
.657
1.591
2.131
2.626
.016
.022
.023
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.024
.018
.023
.024
.027
.034
.036
.017
.023
.024
.018
.023
.024
.015
.021
.023
.015
.021
.022
.042
.056
.067
.017
.023
.025
.016
.023
.024
.016
.023
.027
.040
.054
.066
.024
.033
.035
.040
.055
.058
.051
.068
.073
.027
.035
.037
.044
.057
.060
.052
.070
.073
.054
.069
.073
.038
.053
.057
.059
.086
.090
.822
1.115
1.329
.075
.103
.111
.057
.080
.084
.089
.125
.148
.871
1.167
1.438
.233
.320
.340
.190
.265
.278
.321
.433
.461
.163
.210
.220
.151
.192
.202
.131
.174
.183
.162
.207
.218
.192
.267
.284
.273
.396
.415
.656
.890
1.060
.268
.367
.394
.156
.218
.229
.292
.408
.483
.680
.910
1.122
8426
11574
12292
8376
11699
12257
8527
11509
12244
8493
10940
11441
9073
11558
12160
8950
11919
12521
9301
11931
12530
8552
11867
12637
8226
11946
12525
8033
10887
12977
8952
12288
13163
9502
13331
13965
7488
10463
12375
8049
10781
13283
2
0
r
D
pi
o
Cfl
3
a
w
•<
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Ttble 15.-Major uh constituents, Kirby coal deposit.
u>
L/IIU I1UIC
and location
SH-31
7S 40E S8
ACAD
SH-35
6S 39E S14
BBCA
SH-36
6S39ES16
BADC
SH-37
7S 39E S24
BBCB
SH-38
7S39ES11
DACD
SH-39
7S 39E S10
ADBB
SH-41
6S 39E S26
CADD
SH-56
7S 39E S18
DDCD
SH-107
7S 40E S30
BAAA
SH-7012
7S 40E S29
CDBC
M|IU1
sampled
96 to
112ft.
89 to
99ft.
104 to
130ft.
40 to
60ft.
108 to
126ft.
70 to
74ft.
92 to
100ft.
72 to
97ft.
35 to
43ft.
90 to
94ft.
152 to
172 ft.
98 to
146 ft.
UIU.
sample
84-85
87
77-79
80-82
101-102
108
109
131-133
143
144
145-146
174-178
V'UOA
bed
Dietz No. 1
Dietz No. 1
Canyon
Anderson
Anderson
Dietz No. 1
Dietz No. 1
Anderson
Anderson
Dietz No. 1
Dietz No. 2
Dietz No. 1
AljOj
9.6
16.1
12.4
10.2
14.8
20.5
11.2
10.6
17.8
12.2
17.6
18.2
CaO
35.4
14.5
18.8
21.3
8.1
6.0
19.6
23.3
25.0
18.5
23.4
7.8
FeaOa
3.5
4.0
5.5
7.3
4.4
12.6
9.9
4.7
3.2
3.3
2.6
6.7
KjO
.2
.8
1.6
.3
2.0
.7
.3
.3
.3
.2
.3
1.9
MgO
8.1
5.5
6.6
5.3
3.0
2.7
S.I
5.6
8.5
3.9
7.2
4.3
NaaO
.4
.3
1.5
7.6
1.8
1.8
7.4
6.3
4.0
8.7
1.5
1.6
pao,
.7
1.2.
.3
.4
.2 *
.3
.5
.5
1.5
.6
.3
.5
SiOa
31.0
43.1
40.3
33.6
56.2
48.3
23.9
32.8
19.2
35.9
28.1
47.3
S0a
11.5
7.7
9.9
13.3
6.3
5.6
13.0
12.3
15.6
9.0
13.7
9.5
Ti02
1.6
1.1
.6
1.0
.7
.8
.2
1.1
.8
1.0
1.1
1.1
Total
102.0
94.3
97.5
100.3
97.5
99.3
91.1
97.5
95.9
93.3
95.8
98.9
3
§
>
g
5
o
tw
F
09
O
2
H
&
a
w
§
g
0
55
>
>
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—CANYON CREEK
Table 16.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Canyon Creek coal deport.
37
WALL BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
200 to 250
Indicated re:
million toi
246.73
450.64
483.46
386.52
31650
Total 1,884.25
Total
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
204.44
741.88
1,273.54
1,209.72
1.212.71
4,642.29
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton Acres
.82 3,833.6
1.64 6,112.0
2.63 6,291.2
3.12 4,288.0
3.82 3.334.4
Average 2.46 Total 23,859.2
Average
Tons/acre
64,359.9
73,730.4
76,849.5
90,139.9
95.039.6
78,974.3
BREWSTER-ARNOLD BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
4.69
30.38
30.79
65.86
Total
1.67
3.79
6.32
Average 4.82
Total
147.2 31,861.4
953.6 31,858.2
966.4 31.860.5
2,067.2 Average 31,859.5
CANYON CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Canyon Creek coal deposit is in portions of T. 5,6,
and 7 S., R. 40, 41, and 42 E., Big Horn and Rosebud
Counties (PI. 6). The area is limited on the east by the
clinker of the Wall coal bed and by Tongue River, on the
north by the boundary of the Northern Cheyenne Indian
Reservation, and on the west by the increasing overbur-
den on the Wall coal bed.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The largest part of the field work in the Canyon Creek
coal deposit was completed in 1969. Additional holes
were drilled in 1970 along Fourmile Creek and Cook
Creek. Coal outcrops, burn lines, clinkered areas, and
faults were mapped in 1972 on aerial photos and 7%-
minute topographic quadrangle maps.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Canyon Creek area was described in a U S. Geo-
logical Survey report (Baker, 1929).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Federal Government has large contiguous blocks
of land within the area, and it is the largest single owner
of surface. Private ownership is next, followed by the
State of Montana, which owns each sec. 16 and 36, and
then by the Burlington Northern, Inc., which owns some
alternate sections along Cook Creek in T. S S., R. 41 and
42 E.
The Federal Government also owns the largest share
of the coal in the area, but the next largest owner is the
State of Montana (all sec. 16 and 36), followed by Bur-
lington Northern, Inc. Private individuals own small tracts
along Cook Creek and along some other tributaries of
the Tongue River.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The topography of the area ranges from rugged to
rolling. The rugged areas are capped by clinker along the
sides of the valleys of Tongue River and its tributaries.
Rolling topography characterizes the divides at the heads
of the numerous northwest-trending valleys. Ponderosa
pine grows on the clinkered areas along the steep valley
sides.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing.
Although virtually none of the area is cultivated, some
hay is raised in meadows along the valley of the Tongue
River.
-------
Tible 17.-Proximate analysis, fomu of sulfur, and heating ralne, Canyon Creek coal deport.
00
Drill hole
and location
SH-42 LJ
7S 42E S9
pABDA
SrMS
6S41ES21
CDDA
SH-46
6S41ES16
CABC
SH-49
6S 40E S24
CCCA
SH-50
7S 40E SI
BDDD
Depth
sampled
35 to
46ft.
57 to
66ft.
66 to
75ft.
75 to
84ft
84 to
94ft.
94 to
104ft.
40 to
50ft.
50 to
60ft.
60 to
70ft.
70 to
80ft.
80 to
89ft.
40 to
50ft.
50 to
59ft.
59 to
65ft.
65 to
74ft.
74 to
79ft.
200 to
209 ft.
Lab.
number
89
112
113
114
115
116
118
119
120
121
122
103
104
105
106
107
91
Coal
bed
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Form of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Proximate . %
i
V Moisture
16.840
24.370
24.030
23.030
25.970
26.000
23.380
26.730
25.290
25.510
26.370
23500
23.690
23.300
24.940
25.280
26.090
Volatile
matter
34.287
41.230
44.147
31.963
42.262
44.374
29.685
39.074
41.715
31.108
40.416
42.282
28.861
38.985
42.773
28.734
38.830
41.373
31.648
41.305
44.802
30.167
41.172
43.397
29.761
39.836
41.724
29.001
38.933
41.944
28.352
38.507
46.444
29.766
38.910
41.713
30.925
40.525
42.678
31.086
40.529
43.065
31.924
42.532
44.125
30.250
40.485
42.619
28.050
37.951
40.199
fixed
carbon
43.378
52.163
55.853
40.068
52.979
55.626
41.476
54.595
58.285
42.465
55.171
57.718
38.613
52.159
57.227
40.716
55.022
58.627
38.991
50.888
55.198
39.347
53.701
56.603
41.567
55.638
58.276
40.142
53.889
58.056
32.693
44.402
53.556
41592
54.369
58.287
41.536
54.431
57.322
41.098
53.583
56.935
40.426
53.858
55.875
40.728
54.507
57.381
41.727
56.457
59.801
Ash
5.495
6.608
3.599
4.759
4.810
6.331
3.397
4.413
6556
8.856
4549
6.148
5.982
7.807
3.756
5.127
3.382
4527
5.347
7.178
12584
17.091
5.142
6.721
3.849
5.044
4516
5.888
2.710
3.610
3.742
5.008
4.133
5592
Sulfur
.472
.568
.608
.119
.157
.165
.129
.170
.182
.159
.207
.216
.370
.500
.549
.710
.960
1.023
.290
.378
.410
.216
.294
.310
.156
.208
.218
.411
.552
595
1.064
1.445
1.743
.225
.295
.316
.208
.273
.287
.173
.226
.240
.147
.195
.203
.153
.205
.216
.356
.481
.510
Form (
Sulfate
.045
.055
.058
.025
.034
.035
.026
.034
.036
.018
.023
.024
.069
.093
.102
.076
.103
.110
.026
.034
.037
.025
.034
.036
.035
.046
.049
.061
.082
.089
.194
.264
.318
.069
.091
.097
.052
.068
.072
.035
.045
.048
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.024
.034
.046
.049
iffvUfui %
Pyritic
.145
.175
.187
.042
.056
.059
.043
.057
.061
.044
.057
.060
.078
.105
.115
.093
.126
.134
.061
.080
.087
.041
.057
.060
.052
.069
.073
.123
.164
.177
.270
.367
.443
.078
.102
.109
.052
.068
.072
.069
.090
.096
.043
.057
.060
.051
.068
.072
.068
.092
.097
Organic
.282
.339
.363
.051
.067
.071
.060
.079
.085
.097
.126
.132
.224
.303
.332
541
.731
.779
.202
.264
.286
.149
.204
.215
.069
.093
.097
.228
.305
.329
.600
.814
.982
.078
.102
.109
.104
.136
.144
.069
.090
.096
.104
.138
.143
.085
.114
.120
.254
.344
.364
Heating
value (Btu)
9675
11634
12457
8868
11726
12312
8955
11788
12585
9386
12194
12757
8545
11542
12663
8739
11809
12582
8892
11605
12588
8606
11746
12381
9045
12107
12681
8735
11727
12634
7637
10373
12511
9303
12161
13038
9480
12423
13083
9030
11773
12510
9316
12411
12876
8738
11695
12311
9043
12236
12960
u>
H
2
•O
"0
0
t*
8
r
w
o
C
H
X
^
09
H
PB
9
Z
~
o
rj
z
-------
SH-50
7S 40E SI
BDDD
SH-110
5S41ES33
CBBB
SH-121
6S40ES12
AADD
SH-707 V
7S41ES33
CCDC
209 to
218 ft.
218 to
227 ft.
227 to
236ft.
236 to
245 ft.
245 to
254 ft.
254 to
260 ft.
150 to
159 ft.
159 to
163 ft.
130 to
140 ft.
145 to
155 ft.
155to
165 ft.
165 to
173ft
73 to
83ft.
83 to
92ft.
92 to
103 ft.
103 to
113ft.
113to
123ft.
92
93
94
95
96
97
147
148
154
155
156
157
165
166
167
168
169
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
26.640
24.800
24.400
21.600
25.600
26.400
22.360
20.220
21.520
19.940
26.160
25.990
23.390
24.660
24.490
23.310
23.600
27.980
38.141
39.981
29.682
39.471
43.026
36.671
48.507
51.342
36.350
46.365
48.846
28.547
38.370
42.608
28.943
39.325
41.460
30.858
39.745
42.948
33.868
42.452
45.366
30.227
38.516
42.931
31.891
39.833
42.834
29.526
39.986
41.737
28.990
39.171
42.059
29.799
38.897
41.013
23.325
30.960
33.142
29.455
39.008
41.063
30.831
40.203
42.010
29.179
38.193
40.652
42.004
57.257
60.019
39.303
52.265
56.974
34.755
45.972
48.658
38.068
48.556
51.154
38.452
51.683
57.392
40.866
55.524
58.540
40.991
52.797
57.052
40.788
51.125
54.634
40.182
51.201
57.069
42.562
53.162
57.166
41.217
55.819
58.263
39.938
53.963
57.941
42.858
55.944
58.987
47.055
62.457
66.858
42.275
55.987
58.937
42.559
55.495
57.990
42.599
55.758
59.348
3J76
4.602
6.215
8.264
4.174
5.521
3.982
5.079
7.401
9.947
3.791
5.151
5.790
7.458
5.124
6.423
8.070
10.283
5.608
7.004
3.098
4.195
5.082
6.866
3.953
5.160
4.960
6.583
3.780
5.006
3.299
4.302
4.622
6.049
.226
.308
.322
.227
301
.328
.227
.301
.318
.370
.472
.498
.208
.280
.310
.446
.606
.639
.380
.489
.528
.189
J237
.254
1.115
1.421
1.584
.167
.208
.224
.128
.173
.181
.236
.319
.342
.443
.578
.610
.236
.313
.335
.261
.346
.364
.250
.327
.341
.360
.471
.502
.025
.034
.036
.016
.022
.023
.024
.032
.034
.017
.021
.023
.024
.032
.036
.016
.022
.023
.062
.080
.086
.018
.023
.024
.195
.248
.276
.018
.022
.024
023
!024
.034
.046
.049
.017
.022
.023
.025
.034
.036
.025
.033
.035
.017
.023
.024
.017
.022
.024
.075
.103
.107
.065
.086
.094
.057
.075
.080
.059
.075
.079
.080
.108
.119
.072
.097
.103
.088
.114
.123
.045
.057
.060
.513
.654
.729
.044
.055
.059
.034
.046
.048
.067
.091
.098
.111
.145
.152
.076
.101
.108
.093
.123
.129
.086
.113
.118
.103
.135
.143
.125
.171
.179
.146
.194
.211
.146
.193
.205
.295
.376
.396
.104
.140
.155
.358
.487
.513
.229
.296
.319
.126
.158
.169
.407
.519
.578
.105
.132
.141
.077
.104
.109
.135
.182
.196
.315
.411
.434
.135
.179
.191
.143
.190
.200
.147
.191
.200
.240
.314
.334
9191
12529
13134
9175
12201
13300
9419
12459
13187
8590
10957
11543
8587
11541
12816
9062
12313
12981
8972
11556
12488
9331
11696
12499
8725
11117
12392
8996
11236
12083
8940
12107
12637
8764
11841
12714
9556
12474
13153
9284
12323
13191
9425
12482
13139
9724
12679
13249
10079
13192
14041
5
o
o
c
c
o
CO
1
o
o
JO
P)
w
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
/Not shown on map.
ui
-------
Table 17 (Continued).
Drillhole
and location
SH-707
7S41ES33
CCDC
SH-7013
7S41ES21
CACC
jximate. %
Form of sulfur. %
SH-7057
5S 42E S28
DCDC
SH-47
6S 40E S3
ACBA
SH-48
6S40ES16
AAAA
Depth
sampled
123 to
128ft.
84 to
94ft.
94 to
103ft.
103 to
108ft.
108 to
115ft.
115 to
124ft.
124 to
132ft.
132 to
136 ft.
102 to
110ft.
110 to
118ft.
118 to
122 ft.
55 to
60ft.
60 to
70ft.
70 to
80ft.
80 to
90ft.
48 to
58 ft.
58 to
68ft.
68 to
78ft.
Lab.
number
170
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
266
267
268
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
Coal Form of
bed analysis
Wall A
B
C
Wall A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Brewster- A
Arnold B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Canyon A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Canyon A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
i
/ Moisture
24.450
25.670
25.280
24.840
24.160
26.220
27.660
25.870
24.900
26.650
26.790
28.400
28.800
30.400
25.600
22.120
26.060
26.440
Volatile
matter
29.561
39.128
41.152
32.125
43.219
46.430
30.837
41.270
43.232
31.678
42.148
44.804
33.582
44.280
46.067
29.188
39.560
40.967
32.402
44.792
47.245
32.937
44.431
46.048
27.954
37.222
44.673
28.651
39.060
42.954
39.726
54.263
56.984
28.872
40.324
44.520
29.492
41.422
43.722
27.308
39.236
41.676
21.019
28.252
48.638
30.181
38.753
42.040
28.185
38.118
39.779
23.731
32.261
42.234
Fixed
carbon
42.273
55.953
58.848
37.065
49.865
53.570
40.492
54.191
56.768
39.027
51.925
55.196
39.317
51.841
53.933
57 007
59i033
36.182
50.017
52.755
38.590
52.057
53.952
34.621
46.100
55.327
38.050
51.875
57.046
29.988
40.962
43.016
35.980
50.252
55.480
37.962
53.318
56.278
38.216
54.909
58.324
22.197
29.834
51.362
41.610
53.428
57.960
42.669
57.708
60.221
32.458
44.125
57.766
Ash
3.716
4.919
5.141
6.916
3.391
4.539
4.455
5.927
2.941
3.878
2.533
3.433
3.756
5.192
2.603
3.512
12.525
16.678
6.649
9.065
3.496
4.775
6.747
9.424
3.745
5.260
4.075
5.855
31.184
41.914
6.090
7.819
3.086
4.174
17.371
23.615
Sulfur
.422
.559
.588
.352
.474
.509
.187
.250
.262
.181
.241
.256
.173
.228
.237
.144
.195
.202
.264
.365
.384
.251
.339
.352
.553
.737
.884
.291
.397
.437
.357
.488
.512
.651
.909
1.004
.298
.418
.441
.337
.484
.514
3.242
4.357
7.501
.188
.241
.261
.213
.288
.301
.575
.782
1.024
Sulfate
.017
.022
.024
.016
.022
.023
.008
.011
.011
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.027
.016
.022
.024
.017
.023
.024
.047
.066
.073
.039
.055
.058
.031
.044
.047
.275
.369
.636
.036
.046
.050
.026
.035
.036
.058
.079
.104
Pyritic
.068
.089
.094
.064
.086
.093
.049
.065
.068
.033
.044
.047
.033
.043
.045
.032
.043
.045
.032
.044
.047
.041
.055
.057
.145
.193
.231
.024
.033
.036
.043
.058
.061
.063
.088
.097
.047
.066
.070
.069
.099
.105
2.213
2.975
5.122
.054
.069
.075
.051
.069
.072
.283
.385
.504
Organic
.338
.447
.470
.272
.366
.393
.130
.174
.182
.148
.197
.209
.140
.185
.192
.112
.152
.157
.232
.320
.338
.211
.284
.295
.392
.522
.626
.251
.342
.376
.298
.407
.427
.541
.756
.835
.212
.297
.314
.237
.341
.362
.753
1.013
1.744
.098
.126
.137
.136
.184
.193
.233
.317
.415
Heating
value (Btu)
9316
12331
12969
8910
11988
12878
9206
12320
12906
9153
12177
12945
9514
12544
13050
9251
12538
12984
8953
12376
13054
9566
12904
13373
7979
10625
12751
8494
11580
12735
8859
12100
12707
8006
11181
12345
7759
10897
11502
8209
11795
12529
8719
11719
20174
8914
11446
12417
8776
11869
12386
6958
9458
12382
v>
H
JO
•3
M
0
n
W
O
r
CO
0
s
5
>
CO
H
a
z
o
H
>
Z
^
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 18.-M«jor ash constituents, Canyon Creek coal deposit.
Drillhole
and location
SIM2
7S 42E S9
ABDA
SH-*5
6S41ES21
CDDA
SH-46
6S 41E S16
CABC
SH-49
6S 40E S24
CCCA
SH-50
7S 40E SI
BDDD
SH-110
5S41ES33
CBBB
SH-121
6S 40E S12
AADD
SH-707
7S41ES33
CCDC
SH-7013
7S41ES21
CACC
SH-7057
5S 42E S28
DCDC
SFM7
6S 40E S3
ACBA
SH48
6S 40E S16
AAAA
Depth
sampled
'35 to
46ft.
57 to
104 ft.
40 to
89ft.
40 to
79ft.
200 to
260 ft.
150 to
163 ft.
130 to
173 ft.
73 to
128 ft.
84 to
136 ft.
102 to
122ft.
55 to
90ft.
48 to
78ft.
Lab.
sample
89
112-116
118-122
103-107
91-97
147-148
154-157
165-170
179-185
266-268
123-126
127-129
Coal
bed
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Wall
Brewster-
Amold
Canyon
Canyon
A1203
15.3
16.6
12.3
15.0
17.6
13.7
13.8
15.2
15.9
24.9
12.3
12.8
CaO
11.9
9.2
16.1
18.0
14.0
18.4
10.8
15.8
15.1
7.4
18.5
18.6
FejOj KjO
4.4 1.2
10.9 .9
4.6 .3
4.0 .3
3.7 .4
4.9 .2
6.8 .7
4.4 .3
4.5 .5
2.9 .4
4.6 .5
3.9 .5
MgO
8.8
3.4
4.3
10.0
2.2
6.6
6.1
6.1
2.1
2.0
5.2
5.9
consume
NajO
3.0
2.0
5.7
1.3
12.7
2.1
1.0
3.4
12.6
5.9
6.9
3.0
nt, %
Pa05
.5
.3
.2
.5
.3
.6
.1
.6
.6
.8
.6
1.1
Si02
40.2
43.4
40.5
33.5
32.8
37.0
44.1
38.5
35.3
44.0
29.1
33.9
S03
10.6
9.6
12.2
10.1
12.7
13.6
13.6
13.4
13.0
6.7
14.0
•
16.0
Ti02
.8
.8
1.0
.8
.8
1.1
.8
1.1
.9
1.0
.8
.6
Total
96.7
97.1
97.2
93.5
97.2
98.2
97.8
98.8
100.5
96.0
92.5
96.3
s
o
2
0
I
o
w
•0
o
CO
s
T
a
•2,
O
O
V
n
w
-------
42
STRIP?ABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
COAL QUALITY
The strata dip gently to the southeast 40 to 80 feet
per mile. Numerous reversals are associated with faulting
in the southern part of T. 6 S., R. 41 E., and the northern
part of T. 7 S., R. 41 E., where dips are as much as three
degrees next to the fault traces. These faults are easily
discernible on aerial photos in the areas where they are
shown on Plate 6 as solid lines.
COAL BEDS
The principal coal beds in the Canyon Creek coal de-
posits are the Canyon, Wall, and Brewster-Arnold beds.
The Canyon bed is 200 to 250 feet above the Wall bed
where drilled near Prairie Dog Creek and the north fork
of Canyon Creek. Drill hole SH47, sec. 3, and SH48,
sec. 16, T. 6 S., R. 40 E., penetrated thicknesses of 28 and
29 feet, respectively. Strippable reserves are not shown
for the Canyon bed, however, because it could be strip
mined only in the narrow valley bottom along Prairie
Dog Creek and some of the forks of Canyon Creek. The
steep slopes along the sides of the narrow valleys restrict
the strippable areas because of the excessive overburden.
The Wall coal bed has been drilled throughout the area.
Its thickness ranges from 32 feet in drill hole SH-110,
sec. 33, T. 5 S., R. 41 E., in the northern part of the area
to 60 feet in drill holes SH-50, sec. 1, T. 7 S., R. 40 E., and
SH-49, sec. 24,T. 6 S., R. 40 E. Even though the Wall coal
bed is thinnest in the northern part of the area, strippable
coal is outlined along Cook Creek in T. 5 S., R. 41 and 42 E
The Brewster-Arnold coal bed is 18 feet thick and
forms two benches, which are separated by a parting 2
feet thick, as shown in drill hole SH-7057, sec. 28, T. 5 S.,
R- 42 E. This corresponds well with the measured thick-
nesses of the Brewster-Arnold coal bed in the Birney coal
field (PI. 7).
Core samples were obtained from the Canyon, Wall,
and Brewster-Arnold coal beds. Analytical results on
these core samples are shown in Tables 17 and 18.
COAL RESERVES
Strippable reserves in the Wall and Brewster-Arnold
coal beds total 1,950,110,000 tons. The Wall bed accounts
for 1,884,250,000 tons and the Brewster-Arnold bed for
65,860,000 tons (Table 16).
BIRNEY COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Birney coal deposit (PI. 7) is in T. 6 and 7 S., R. 41
and 42 E., Rosebud County. The deposit occupies the
valleys of Tongue River and its tributaries. Its western
part is overlapped by the Canyon Creek deposit (PI. 6).
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The drilling program in the Birney area was completed
in 1969. In 1972 the area was mapped on 7^-minute
topographic maps and black-and-white aerial photos.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
This deposit was described in the US. Geological Sur-
vey report on the northern extension of the Sheridan
coal field (Baker, 1929). Ayler, Smith, and Deutman
(1969) included it in their report on the strippable coal
in Montana.
LAND OWNERSHIP
Most of the surface in the Birney coal field is privately
owned with the exception of sec. 16 and 36 in each town-
Table 19.—Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Birney coal deposit.
BREWSTER-ARNOLD BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
50.52
58.41
71.62
180.55
Total
105.63
289.63
525.33
920.59
2.09
435
7.33
Average S.09
Total
1,977.6 25^46.1
2,387.2 24,467.9
2.604.8 27.495.4
6,969.6 Average 25,905.4
-------
Table 20.-Proximtte analysis, fomu of sulfur, and heating value, Birney coal deposit.
Proximate.
Form of sulfur, %
Drillhole
and location
SH-43
6S 42E S32
ABBD
SH-44
6S42ES31
DBCB
SH-114 */
6S 43E S20
BDAB
SH-116
6S 42E S27
CBCA
Depth
sampled
54 to
64ft.
70 to
75ft.
75 to
83ft.
90 to
94ft.
94 to
99ft.
60 to
66ft.
66 to
74ft.
Lab.
numbei
99
110
111
149
150
151
152
Coal
bed
Brewster-
Arnold
Brewster-
Arnold
Brewster-
Arnold
Brewster-
Arnold
Form of
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
1,
Moisture
24.980
24.400
23.600
19.500
21.150
18.290
22.760
Volatile
matter
29.494
39.315
41.876
29.574
39.120
41.615
33.550
43.913
45.788
31.676
39.350
43.853
29.757
37.738
40.240
31.328
38.341
41.757
30.726
39.780
41.935
Fixed
carbon
40.938
54.569
58.124
41.492
54.883
58.385
39.722
51.992
54.212
40.558
50.382
56.147
44.191
56.045
59.760
43.697
53.479
58.243
42.545
55.081
58.065
Ash
4.588
6.115
4.534
5.997
3.128
4.094
8.266
10.268
4.902
6.217
6.684
8.180
3.969
5.138
Sulfur
.241
.321
.342
.347
.459
.488
.708
.927
.967
.367
.456
.509
.236
.299
.319
.292
.358
.390
.725
.938
.989
Sulfate
.034
.046
.049
.025
.033
.035
.034
.044
.046
.018
.023
.025
.027
.034
.037
.028
.035
.038
.071
.092
.097
Pyritic
.112
.149
.159
.033
.044
.046
.067
.088
.092
.110
.137
.153
.072
.092
.098
.075
.092
.101
.141
.183
.193
Organic
.095
.126
.134
.289
.382
.407
.607
.795
.829
.239
.297
.331
.136
.172
.184
.189
.231
.251
.513
.664
.700
Heating
value (Btu)
8786
11711
12474
9191
12158
12933
9389
12289
12814
9417
11698
13036
7987
10130
10801
9346
11438
12457
9274
12007
12658
2
a
[V1DUAL I
n
•«
o
CO
ITS— BIRNE1
•N
1
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
/ Not shown on map.
-------
Table 21.-Major ash constituent!, Birney coal deposit.
Coal
Constituent, %
and location
SH-43
6S 42E S32
ABBD
SH-44
6S42ES31
DBCB
SH-114
6S 43E S20
BDAB
SH-116
6S 42E S27
CBCA
— - •
sampled
54 to
64ft.
70 to
83ft.
90 to
99ft.
60 to
74ft.
sample bed A12O3 CaO Fe2O3 K2O MgO Na2O P2O5 SiOj SO3 TiO2 Total
Brewster- 20.6 11.0 5.5 .6 3.4 7.3 1.0 35.8 11.1 .7 97.0
Arnold
99
Brewster- 16.4 16.4 5.5 .3 10.9 4.5 .6 28.3 18.9 .7 102.5
Arnold
110-111
Brewster- 18.6 11.8 3.3 1.3 3.3 10.9 .4 33.7 7.9 .9 92.1
Arnold
149-150
Brewster- 17.9 13.8 4.0 .3 8.4 2.5 .8 33.2 15.3 1.0 97.2
Arnold
151-152
H
i
1
Ifli
O
f
09
O
1
B
&
8
B
O
25
-------
INDIVIDUAL, DEPOSITS—BIRNEY
45
ship, which are owned by the State of Montana. The Fed-
eral Government owns some of the surface a short dis-
tance west of the main valley of the Tongue River. Some
coal in the valley bottom along Tongue River and its trib-
utaries is privately owned, and the State of Montana has
the coal rights on its land, but the Federal Government
owns the rest, which is the largest share of the coal.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Tongue River flows through the area in a north-
easterly direction and has cut a deep valley bordered by
clinker-topped ridges and knobs. Steep and rugged valley
sides border a narrow flood plain. The northwest-trending
tributaries east of the Tongue River are relatively short
and steep; the southeast-trending tributaries west of the
river are longer. Ponderosa pine trees grow on the steep
sides of the tributary valleys and on large clinkered areas.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing.
Hay is raised in meadows along the flood plain of the
Tongue River.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata dip gently to the southeast. In drill hole
SH-33, sec. 12, T. 6 S., R. 41 E., the Brewster-Arnold
coal bed is 105 feet higher than in drill hole SH43, sec.
32, T. 6 S., R. 42 E.
COAL BEDS
The Brewster-Arnold coal bed contains strippable re-
serves in the Birney area. Where the bed is exposed above
river level, it has burned along its outcrop in the northern
part of the area. The Wall coal bed, which is about 275
feet higher, has burned along the Tongue River and its
clinker caps the buttes and ridges. The Brewster-Arnold
coal bed is 20 feet thick in drill hole SH-43, sec. 32, T. 6 S.,
R. 42 E. The bed thins westward and develops a parting,
which thickens westward. A gamma log in SE& sec. 24,
T. 6 S., R. 41 E., shows that the Brewster-Arnold coal
bed there forms two benches; the upper 10 feet thick and
the lower 6 feet thick, separated by a 2-foot parting.
This parting thickens westward and is 10 feet thick in the
NWVi sec. 21, T. 6 S., R. 41 E., as shown by a gamma log
of an oil well. On this log, the upper bench is 11 feet
thick and the lower, 6 feet.
COAL QUALITY
An earlier U.S. Bureau of Mines analysis of a sample
from the abandoned Brewster-Arnold mine, sec. 23, T. 6 S.,
R. 42 E., agrees closely with our later analysis, which re-
ports moisture on the "as received" basis as 27.3%, vola-
tile matter 285%, fixed carbon 39.2%, ash 4.6%, sulfur
0.6%, and heating value 8,850 Btu.
Seven core samples obtained from the Brewster-Arnold
coal bed during the current project were analyzed by the
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology analytical labora-
tory. Proximate analysis, sulfur forms, and calorific value
are shown in Table 20, and major ash constituents are
shown in Table 21.
COAL RESERVES
Strippable coal reserves in the Brewster-Arnold coal
bed total 180,550,000 tons (Table 19).
-------
46
STRIPPABLE COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Table 22.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Poker Jim Lookout coal deposit.
ANDERSON and DIETZ BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interbuiden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
Total
237.71
1,485.94
528.91
377.29
Total 2,629.85
Average
1.35
3.21
3.65
4.20
3.01
Total
4,166.4
11,744.0
2,419.2
1.280.0
19,609.6
Average
42,177.9
39,357.1
59,908.2
70.140.6
44,501.2
POKER JIM LOOKOUT COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Poker Jim Lookout coal deposit (PI. 8) in T. 6 and
7 S., R. 44 and 45 E., in Powder River and Rosebud
Counties, is on a high divide between Otter Creek to the
east and Hanging Woman Creek to the west. The area is
within the boundary of the Custer National Forest and
adjoins the Hanging Woman Creek coal deposit (PL 9A
and B) to the south.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
Field work in the Poker Jim Lookout area, begun in
1969, included the drilling of four holes. One hole, drilled
in 1970, penetrated lower coal beds in sec. 9, T. 7 S.,
R. 44 E. The geology was mapped with the help of color
aerial photos borrowed from the Custer National Forest
Service; overburden maps were prepared on 7&-minute
topographic maps.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The northern part of the Poker Jim Lookout coal de-
posit was included in the U. S. Geological Survey report
on the Birney-Broadus coal field (Warren, 1959). The
southern part was included in a US. Geological Survey
open-file report on the Moorhead coal field (Bryson and
Bass, 1966).
I AND OWNERSHIP
The Poker Jim Lookout coal deposit lies within the
Custer National Forest.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Poker Jim Lookout deposit is on the divide be-
tween Otter Cre«k and the East Fork of Hanging Woman
Creek, an intermittent tributary of the Tongue River.
The top of the divide is smooth, rolling, and covered with
native grasses, but the edges are steep and rugged where
thick clinker occurs. The clinkered areas and the valley
sides support lush growths of ponderosa pine and other
trees.
The principal land use is livestock grazing. Many near-
by ranchers have grazing permits on Forest Service land.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Poker Jim Lookout coal deposit dip
to the south at 40 feet per mile.
COAL BEDS
Beds of economic importance in the Poker Jim Look-
out deposit are the Anderson and Dietz coal beds, which
converge in T. 6 S., R. 44 E., to form a coal bed 58 feet
thick, as shown in drill hole SH-8, in sec. 9, T. 6 S., R. 44 E.
In drill hole SH-7, in sec. 24, the two beds are separated
by a parting of 17 feet and have a combined thickness of
59 feet. The parting thickens southward, and in sec. 36 it
is 40 feet thick according to a gamma log. In SH-7, the
Dietz coal bed is 25 feet thick, but it thins southward to
14 feet, as shown in the gamma log. Thickness of the
Anderson bed is almost uniform, being 34 feet in SH-7
and 31 feet in SH-5 and SH-6.
COAL QUALITY
Eleven core samples obtained during the field evalua-
tion were analyzed by the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology analytical laboratory. Proximate analysis, sulfur
• forms, and heating value are shown in Table 23. Major
ash constituents are shown in Table 24.
COAL RESERVES
Reserves in the Anderson and Dietz coal beds total
872,650,000 tons (Table 22).
-------
Table 23.-Proximtte analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Poker Jim Lookout coal deposit.
Drillhole
and location
SH-S
7SR44ES13
ADBA
SH-6
7SR44ES11
ABBB
SH-7
6S R44E S24
BDCB
SH-8
6S R44E S9
ACCC
SH-7038
78 R44F-. S9
DCBC
Depth
sampled
94 to
104ft.
104to
109ft.
163 to
172 ft
186 to
196 ft.
105 to
115ft.
I IS to
123ft
123 to
131 ft.
131 to
141 ft.
33 to
43ft.
43 to
S3 ft
S3 to
63ft.
Lab.
number
16
17
18
59
60
61
62
63
213
214
215
Coal
bed
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Canyon
Form of,
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Proximate. %
Form of sulfur. %
Moisture
27.540
27.390
27.000
30.580
31.870
31.400
31.970
29.260
30.000
30.560
30.890
Volatile
matter
31.587
43.592
46.209
31.455
43.321
45.919
32.853
45.003
51.253
28.830
41.529
44.240
27.590
40.496
45.711
29.176
42.531
45.277
28.539
41.951
44.541
30.074
42.513
45.717
30.522
43.602
48.704
30.251
43.565
46.059
27.624
39.971
42.369
Fixed
carbon
36.770
50.745
53.791
37.046
51.020
54.081
31.246
42.802
48.747
36.337
52.343
55.760
32.767
48.095
54.289
35.264
51.405
54.723
35.534
52.233
55.459
35.708
50.478
54.283
32.146
45.923
51.296
35.428
51.020
53.941
37.575
54.369
57.631
Ash
4.103
5.663
4.109
5.659
8.902
12.194
4.253
6.127
7.773
11.409
4.160
6.065
3.957
5.816
4.958
7.009
7.332
10.475
3.761
S.416
3.912
5.660
Sulfur
.184
.254
.270
.278
.383
.406
.876
1.200
1.366
.087
.126
.134
.761
1.117
1.261
.298
.435
.463
.230
.337
.358
.286
.405
.436
.660
.943
1.054
.165
.237
.251
.289
.419
.444
Sulfate
.050
.069
.074
.000
.000
.000
.085
.116
.133
.008
.011
.012
.023
.034
.038
.023
.033
.036
.023
.034
.036
.024
.034
.036
.015
.022
.024
.022
.032
.034
.016
.023
.024
Pyritic
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.025
.332
.454
.517
.016
.023
.024
.206
.302
.341
.054
.078
.083
.069
.101
.108
.056
.079
.085
.250
.358
.400
.082
.119
.125
.070
.102
.108
Organic
.134
.185
.196
.261
.359
.381
.459
.629
.716
.063
.091
.097
.533
.782
.883
.222
.323
.344
.138
.202
.215
.207
.292
.315
.395
.564
.630
.060
.086
.091
.203
.294
.312
Heating
value (Btu)
8203
11321
12000
8374
11533
12225
7826
10721
12210
7770
11193
11924
7637
11209
12653
8007
11672
12426
7715
11340
12040
7874
11131
11970
7862
11231
12545
8801
12675
13400
7939
11487
12177
2
2
<|
D
C
O
PJ
o
to
S>
T
o
B
* -
a
&
P*
o
o
o
3
/A, ai received; B, moisture free;C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 24.-Major uh coiulhuenta, Fokat Jfan Lookout coal dcpodt.
Coiutituent. %
utd location
8H-3
7844ES13
ADDA
SH-6
7S44ES11
ABBB
SH-7
6S 44E S24
BDCB
SH-8
6S44ES9
ACCC
SH-7038
7S44ES9
DCBC
utnpled number bed AljOj CaO FejOj K5O MgO NajO PjOs SK>a SO3 TiOj Total
Andenon 13.1 26.2 4.5 .3 6.7 11.9 JS 24.1 10.8 IX) 99.1
94 to
109 n. 16-17
Andenon 14.2 9.6 9.0 1.3 3 A 6.7 A 35.3 16.4 A 96.9
163 to
172 ft. 18
Andenon 12.8 18.7 5.4 .8 4.4 124) .2 28.3 8.4 .7 91.7
186 to
196 ft. 59
Andenon 15.6 19.5 4.2 .6 6.9 3.6 A 284) 17.2 ID 97.4
105 to
141 ft. 6043
Canyon 13.9 18.5 5.8 .7 10.0 2.6 .3 31.7 14.6 .7 98.8
33 to
63 n. 213-215
CD
»
>
0
r
H
o
P
r
CD
O
5
1
H
H
9>
Z
E
0
H
z
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—HANGING WOMAN CREEK
49
Trite 25.-RMMVM, overburden, overburden ntio, KIM, and toni/acre, Hanging Woman Geek MM! deporit.
ANDERSON and DffiTZ BEDS
Thickneu of
overburden, ft.
Indlcited reiervei,
million tons
Overburden,
million co. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yaxdt/ton*
Acre*
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
599.87
1/420.92
683.46
Total 2,704.25
370.81
5,260.47
2.672,48
Total 8303.76
0.61
3.70
351
Avenge 3.07
Total
17,593.6 34,0955
43/404.8 32,736.5
13.203.2 51.764.7
74,201.6 Avenge 36/444.6
ANDERSON BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
29655
602.88
683/46
1,583.29
313.82
U95.47
2.672/48
Total 4^81.77
1.05
2.31
3.91
Avenge 2.76
Total
5,849.6
11,494.4
13.203.2
30,547.2
50,764.2
52/51.7
51.765-5
Avenge 513305
D1ETZBED
Oto 50
50 to 100
Total
30252
818.04
1,12056
5659
3.865.00
Total 352159
0.18
4.72
3>49
Total
11,7444
31510.4
43,654.4
25,793.6
25.6355
25,678.1
HANGING WOMAN CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Hanging Woman Creek coal deposit (PL 9), in T. 7,
8, and 9 S., R. 42, 43, 44, and 45 £., is bounded on the
west by the high ridge between Hanging Woman Creek
and the Tongue River valley, where increasing thickness
of overburden makes strip mining impractical. On the
south also it is bounded by excessive overburden. On the
east, it abuts the West Moorhead coal deposit (PL 10A.B,
and C). On the north, nigged topography and the outcrop
of the coal beds limit the deposit. In T.7 S..R.44 £., the
deposit joins the Poker Jim Lookout coal deposit (PL 8),
which has reserves in the same coal beds.
cellent information, became gamma logs were run to the
surface. DriD logs of water weDs in part of the area were
obtained from the Kendrick Land and Cattk Company.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
Portions of the Ha«gp»g Woman Creek area were
mapped and described in a US. Geological Survey
(Baker, 1929) and in an open-file report on the Moorhead
coal field (Bryson and Bass, 1966). Aykr, Smith, and
Deutman (1969) in describing the strippaUe cod in Mon-
tana, included a deposit in the Dietz No. 1 cornl bed along
the valley of Hanging Woman Creek.
LAND OWNERSHIP
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
Drilling in the Hanging Woman Creek area, begun in
1969, was completed in 1970. Outcrops of coal beds and
limits of clinker were mapped in 1969; this work was sup-
plemented by geologic interpretation of color photos bor-
rowed from the US. Forest Service and of infrared color
transparencies borrowed from the US. Bureau of Land
Management, Billings. Oil well logs in the area gave ex-
The State of Montana owns a large part of T. 8 &,
R. 43 E^ but in the other townships the state owns only
sec. 16 and 36. The Federal Government owns scat toed
surface tracts throughout the area and the rest of the
surface is privately owned.
Although the Federal Government conveyed the sur-
face to private individuals* it retained ownership of the
coal ID most of the are*. The State of Montana owns the
-------
Table 26.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Hanging Woman Creek coal deposit.
01
O
Drill hole
and location
SH I
8S R45E S7
CAAP
SH-2
8SR44FSI2
SH-3
8S R44I
1XVA
SH-4
7SR44ES26
DBA A
SH-10
7S R44E S31
ACCD
IH-pth
sampled
100 to
108 It.
108 to
1180
83 to
93 n
93 to
103 n
103 to
111 ft
111 to
112 ft.
88 to
98 n
98 to
108 ft.
108 to
116ft.
94 to
104 ft.
104 to
112 ft
112 to
120ft.
113 to
123 ft.
123 to
131ft.
130 to
140ft.
140 to
149ft.
Lab.
number
2
3
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
19
20
21
22
Coal
bed
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Proximate. %
l-'orm of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
C
I
'/ Moisture
20.600
24.400
27.260
28.180
26.830
27.000
27.400
28.400
27.150
29.220
27.470
26.360
27.700
22.850
25.550
27.440
Volatile
matter
32.943
41.490
44.233
31.899
42.195
44.668
31.072
42.716
44.979
31.238
43.494
46.109
30.897
42.226
45.063
29.920
40.986
42.880
29.752
40.980
43.564
30.283
42.294
46.438
29.364
40.307
44.147
21.887
30.923
32.759
30.085
41.479
43.700
35.710
48.493
50.808
32.308
44.686
46.874
30.042
38.939
51.154
31.537
42.361
45.255
30.586
44/788
Fixed
carbon
41.534
52.309
55.767
39.514
52.267
55.332
38.008
52.252
55.021
36.510
50.835
53.891
37.667
51.479
54.937
39.855
54.596
57.120
38.542
53.088
56.436
34.929
48.783
53.562
37.150
50.995
55.853
44.925
63.472
67.241
38.760
53.440
56.300
34.574
46.950
49.192
36.617
50.646
53.126
28.686
37.182
48.846
38.151
51.244
54.745
37.705
51.963
55.212
Ash
4.923
6.201
4.187
5.538
3.660
5.032
4.073
5.671
4.606
6.294
3.225
4.418
4.306
5.931
6.388
8.922
6.337
8.698
3.968
5.606
3.685
5.081
3.356
4.557
3.375
4.668
18.422
23.878
4.761
6.396
4.270
5.884
Sulfur
.282
.355
.379
.262
.346
.366
.204
.281
.296
.330
.459
.487
.350
.478
.510
.780
1.068
1.118
.204
.281
.298
.224
.313
.344
.199
.273
.299
.147
.208
.220
.154
.212
.223
.128
.174
.182
.197
.272
.285
2.132
2.764
3.631
.330
.443
.473
.311
.429
.455
Form o
Sulfate
.027
.034
.037
.026
.035
.037
.025
.034
.035
.040
.056
.059
.041
.056
.059
.114
.156
.163
.042
.058
.062
.025
.035
.038
.033
.045
.050
.016
.023
.024
.009
.012
.012
.009
.012
.012
.033
.045
.048
.846
1.097
1.441
.059
.080
.085
.042
.058
.062
fuilfnr %
Pyritic
.064
.080
.086
.044
.058
.061
.025
.034
.035
.064
.090
.095
.057
.078
.083
.138
.189
.198
.042
.058
.062
.025
.035
.038
.041
.057
.062
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.033
.045
.048
.613
.794
1.044
.068
.091
.097
.092
.127
.135
Organic
.191
.241
.257
.192
.254
.269
.155
.213
.225
.225
.314
.333
.252
.345
.368
.528
.723
.757
.119
.164
.174
.174
.243
.267
.124
.171
.187
.131
.185
.196
.145
.200
.211
.120
.162
.170
.131
.181
.190
.673
.873
1.147
.203
.273
.291
.177
.243
.258
Heating
value (Btu)
9259
11661
12432
8718
11531
12207
8440
11603
12218
8151
11349
12032
8281
11318
12078
7865
10775
11273
8544
11769
12511
8706
12160
13351
8184
11234
12304
8056
11382
12058
8174
11270
11873
8583
11656
12212
8403
11622
12192
6751
8750
11495
8780
11794
12600
8418
11601
12326
CO
2
•«
>
u
c*
M
0
O
r
CO
O
2
X
a
>
H
w
z
£
O
"2,
5
z
-------
SH-10
7S R44E S31
ACCD
SH-11
8S R43E S10
CACC
SH-13
8S R44E S19
DBAC
SH-14
8S R44I S30
BCCB
SH-1S
9S R43E S2
BBAA
SH 16
»S R441 S7
BACC
SH-J7
9S R44E S8
CBBA
SH-18
9S R44E 522
a: AD
149 to
157 ft.
157 to
158ft.
134 to
144ft.
88 to
96ft.
96 to
102 ft
160 to
167 ft.
104 to
113ft.
113 to
123 ft
123 to
128ft.
63 to
70ft.
70 to
79ft.
I 80 to
188 ft
188 to
197ft.
197 to
200/1
63 lo
72 fl
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
35
36
37
38
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderion
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
l<
C
A
11
r
A
B
C
28.300
20.320
28.960
25.550
28.530
27.540
27.300
26.380
23.360
26.530
24.980
25.690
25.630
24.330
28.540
30.878
43.065
46.159
30.878
43.065
46.159
30.440
42.849
44.871
32.810
44.070
45.979
29.500
41.276
43.326
25.919
35.771
37.599
30.446
41.880
43.999
29.739
40.395
42.536
30.283
39.514
44.082
29.719
40.451
42.644
31.900
42.522
48.420
33.144
44.603
47.456
30.252
40.678
42.763
29.1 12
39.265
47.522
30.561
42.766
45.743
36.017
50.233
53.841
36.017
50.233
53.841
37.398
52.644
55.129
38.548
51.777
54.021
38.588
53.992
56.674
43.016
59.366
62.401
38.752
53.303
56.001
40.175
54.571
57.464
38.415
50.124
55.918
39.972
54.406
57.356
33.982
45.297
51.580
ftffi
52.544
40.491
54.445
57.237
32.771
43.308
52.448
36.249
50.727
54.257
4.806
6.702
4.806
6.702
3.202
4.507
3.092
4.153
3.382
4.732
3.524
4.863
3.502
4.817
3.706
5.034
7.942
10.362
3.778
5.143
9.139
12.182
4.469
6.013
3.627
4.876
13.187
17.428
4.650
6.507
.310
.432
.463
.310
.432
.463
.196
.275
.288
.211
.283
.295
.097
.136
.142
.065
.090
.095
.106
.146
.154
.174
.237
.250
.371
.484
.540
.225
m
.549
.732
.834
.202
.271
.289
.093
.125
.131
1.Q34
1.366
1.655
.219
.307
.328
.057
.080
.085
.057
.080
.085
.024
.034
.036
.008
.011
.012
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.008
.011
.012
.025
.034
.036
.060
.079
.088
.042
!060
.057
.076
.087
.008
.011
.012
.008
.011
.012
.118
.156
.188
.041
.057
.061
.073
.102
.110
.073
.102
.110
.024
.034
.036
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.024
.069
.090
.100
.058
.079
090
!l20
.137
.034
.045
.048
.000
.000
.000
.706
.933
1.115
.065
.091
.097
8266
11529
12357
8266
11529
12357
8379
11795
12352
8896
11949
12467
8506
11902
12493
8595
11862
12468
8615
11850
12450
8788
11937
12570
8597
11217
12514
8726
11877
12521
8290
11050
12583
8835
11890
12651
8777
11802
12407
7863
10391
12584
8258
11556
12360
5
0
^
p
o
PJ
0
en
i
i
s
C
o
o
o
1
JB
pa
PJ
ft
J
/A, »i received; B, inoislure lice, >"., moisture and .nli free
-------
Table 26 (Continued).
to
Drill hole
and location
SH 18
9S R44B SU
OCAD
SH-19
9SR44ES19
aximate. %
Form of sulfur. %
SH-20
9SR4.U S24
AACA
SH-21
9S R431 Sll
DCAC
SH-22
9S R43E S4
DBDD
SH-23
9S R43E S22
DBDD
SH-24
9SR43ES3S
BCAC
SH-26
9S R43E S6
OCDB
Depth
sampled
72 to
80ft
80 to
83ft.
151 to
156ft.
74 to
84ft.
84 to
92ft.
92 to
100ft.
110 to
119ft.
119 to
124ft.
124 to
129ft.
63 to
73ft.
73 to
80ft.
80 to
85ft.
93 to
98ft.
130 to
140 ft.
95 to
101ft.
114 to
124 ft.
Lab.
number
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
54
55
64
Coal
bed
Anderson
Dietz
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Smith
Anderson
Form of i
analysis '/
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Moisture
27.630
27.220
25.830
24.160
23.830
26.640
25.850
21.460
25.280
26.130
26.100
27.510
26.190
24.540
23.710
26.490
Volatile
matter
33.369
46.108
48.839
29.929
41.122
43.457
29.854
40.251
46.514
30.905
40.750
44.115
31.525
41.388
43.830
29.497
40.208
42.185
29.469
39.742
41.438
32.017
40.766
51.188
29.812
39.899
41.716
29.702
40.209
42.143
28.753
38.909
42.621
28.176
38.869
41.685
29.039
39.343
41.973
29.824
39.523
41.830
28.182
36.941
43.900
28.547
38.834
40.779
Fixed
carbon
34.956
48.301
51.161
38.941
53.504
56.543
34.329
46.284
53.486
39.151
51.623
55.885
40.401
53.040
56.170
40.425
55.105
57.815
41.647
56.166
58.562
30.531
38.874
48.812
41.653
55.746
58.284
40.778
55.202
57.857
38.709
52.380
57.379
39.417
54.375
58.315
40.146
54.391
58.027
41.474
54.962
58.170
36.014
47.207
56.100
41.456
56.395
59.221
Ash
4.046
5.590
3.911
5.373
9.987
13.465
5.784
7.627
4.244
5.572
3.438
4.686
3.034
4.092
15.991
20.361
3.255
4.356
3.390
4.589
6.437
8.711
4.897
6.756
4.625
6.266
4.162
5.515
12.094
15.853
3.507
4.771
Sulfur
.247
.341
.261
.231
.318
.336
.477
.643
.743
.170
.225
.243
.284
.373
.395
.191
.260
.273
.141
.191
.199
.242
.308
.387
.143
.191
.200
.109
.148
.155
.430
.582
.638
.123
.170
.182
.075
.102
.109
.196
.260
.275
.787
1.031
1.225
.166
.226
.237
Sulfate
.041
.057
.060
.050
.068
.072
.000
.000
.000
.034 •
.045
.049
.026
.034
.036
.025
.034
.036
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.034
.045
.048
.160
.217
.238
.025
.034
.036
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.024
.052
.068
.081
.000
.000
.000
Pyritic
.025
.034
.036
.033
.045
.048
.033
.044
.051
.034
.045
.049
.095
.124
.132
.066
.091
.095
.000
.000
.000
.026
.033
.041
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.024
.110
.148
.163
.008
.011
.012
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.024
.199
.261
.310
.041
.056
.059
Organic
.181
.250
.265
.149
.204
.216
.444
.599
.692
.102
.135
.146
.164
.215
.227
.100
.136
.143
.141
.191
.199
.216
.275
.345
.143
.191
.200
.059
.080
.083
.160
.217
.238
.090
.125
.134
.075
.102
.109
.162
.215
.227
.536
.703
.835
.124
.169
.178
Heating
value (Bui)
8245
11393
12068
8438
11594
12252
7722
10411
12032
8390
11063
11976
8802
11555
12237
8306
11322
11879
8893
11993
12505
7573'
9643
12108
8840
11831
12370
8901
12050
12630
8135
11008
12059
8445
11650
12495
8521
11544
12316
8685
11510
12182
7877
10325
12270
8744
11895
12491
CO
H
•8
•0
U
5
8
r
CO
o
q
H
w
CO
M
a
z
s
o
H
fe
>
-------
SH-26
9S 43E S6
CCDB
SH-27
8S43ES31
CABB
SH-28
85 42E S24
DBAA
SH-29
8S42ES12
CBDD
SH-57
7S 44E S28
BACC
SH-118
8S 44E S2
DBCA
SH-119
9S43ES15
CBCA
SH-7039
7S44ESJ9
CCAU
SI I -7040
7S 44E S27
BBAA
124 to
132 ft.
132 to
135ft.
137 to
145 ft.
145 to
155 ft.
155 to
162 ft.
93 to
102ft.
89 to
97ft.
97 to
106ft.
106 to
115ft.
110 to
118ft.
118 to
126ft.
53 to
62ft.
62 to
65ft.
110 to
119ft.
119 to
127ft.
46 to
60ft.
60 to
70ft.
63 to
67ft.
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
56
57
4
5
52
53
217
218
219
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Canyon
Dtetz
Anderson
Canyon
Dietz
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
25.580
26.670
25420
24.140
25.010
25.940
26.460
24.810
25.180
23.740
24.620
23.890
28.170
27.130
24.230
23.080
29.180
31.800
31.117
41.812
44.011
29.842
40.696
43.041
29.643
39.800
42.446
30.280
39.915
44.947
28.030
37.379
39.077
31.622
42.697
44.693
29.503
42*446
30*220
40.192
42.134
30.544
40.824
42.721
31.258
40.989
46.101
30.778
40.830
42.909
31.205
431325
31.519
43.880
46.250
29.418
40.370
42.147
29.688
39.182
41.387
30.858
40.116
42.289
26.866
37.936
43.736
$18
44*522
39485
53.191
55.989
39.492
53.855
56.959
40.194
53.966
57454
37.089
48.891
55.053
43.701
58.275
60.923
39.131
52.837
55.307
40.004
54.398
57.554
41.504
55.198
57.866
40.953
54.735
57.279
36.546
47.923
53.899
40.950
54.325
57.091
40.822
53.635
56.675
36.630
50.996
53.750
40.379
55.413
57.853
42.045
55.490
58.613
42.111
54.746
57.711
34.562
48.802
56.264
5?$!
55*478
3.718
4.997
3.996
5.449
4.643
6.234
8.492
11.194
3.259
4.346
3.308
4.466
4.033
5.484
3.466
4.609
3.323
4.441
8.456
11.088
3.652
4.845
4.083
5.365
3.681
5.124
3.073
4.217
4.036
5.327
3.952
5.138
131262
H?!
.313
.420
.442
.230
.313
.331
.134
.180
.192
.191
.252
.283
.180
.240
.250
.130
.176
.184
.134
.182
.193
.189
.252
.264
.327
til
.612
.802
.902
.219
.291
.306
.268
.352
.372
.297
.414
.436
.148
.203
.212
.307
.405
.428
.258
336
1354
.540
.762
.879
•m
.476
.025
.034
.036
.000
.000
.000
.000
looo
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.067
.088
.099
.034
.045
.047
.026
.034
.036
.016
.022
.024
.000
.000
.000
.026
.034
.036
.017
§22
24
23
.033
.038
*8?I
.012
.228
.307
.323
.181
.246
.260
.109
.146
.156
.147
.194
.219
.154
.205
.215
.114
.154
.161
.117
.159
.169
.163
.217
.228
.267
.357
.373
.377
.495
.556
.118
.157
.165
.207
.272
.288
.257
.358
.377
.148
.203
.212
.222
.293
.309
.164
.213
.224
.316
.446
8700
11690
12305
8733
11909
12595
8665
11634
12407
8847
11662
13132
9000
12002
12547
8235
11119
11639
8583
11671
12349
8804
11709
12275
8676
11596
12135
8108
10632
11958
11762
12361
8707
11440
12089
7972
11099
11698
8657
11880
12403
9012
11894
12564
9081
11805
12445
7657
10812
12465
2
S
5
G
t"
D
n
i
?""
m
e
0
3
o
o
s
£
*
o
s
.209
12376
, as received; B, muiiture free; C, moisture md ash free.
u>
-------
Table 27.-Mijoi ash constituents, Hanging Woman Creek coal deposit.
i TUI nun*
and location
SH-1
8S 451: S7
CAAD
SM-2
8S44FS12
nccc
SH-3
8S 44E S3
DCCA
SIM
7S 441-: S26
DBAA
SH-9
7S44ES33
BDCA
SH-10
7S44F S31
ACCI)
SH-11
8S 43E S10
CACC
SH-13
8S 44ES19
DBAC
SH-14
8S 44E S30
BCCB
SH-15
9S 43E S2
BBAA
SH-16
SS 44E S7
BACC
SH-17
9S 44E S8
CBBA
SH-18
9S 44E S22
CCAD
SH-19
9S 44E S19
DDDC
UV\>lll
sampled
100 to
118ft.
83 to
1 12 ft.
88 to
116ft.
94 to
120ft.
113 to
131 ft.
130 to
158 ft.
134 to
144 ft.
88 to
102ft.
160 to
167 ft.
104 to
128 ft.
63 to
83ft.
180 to
200ft.
63 to
83ft.
74 to
100 ft.
l-av.
sample
2-3
6-9
10-12
13-15
19-20
21-24
25
26-27
28
29-31
32-34
35-37
38^0
42-44
v*utu
bed
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
A1203
14.8
14.9
14.7
14.6
13.3
14.1
18.5
17.9
18.3
17.9
19.6
14.4
14.6
CaO
26.9
27.8
21.9
27.4
13.3
20.1
22.5
23.6
19.8
12.0
7.6
17.5
21.6
21.2
Fea03
4.7
5.8
4.7
5.5
12.1
5.5
5.7
5.8
5.4
10.4
8.3
6.6
5.0
KaO
.3
.3
.8
.8
.7
.3
.4
.3
.7
1.1
1.1
.3
.2
.2
MgO
7.7
9.2
6.5
7.2
4.8
6.0
6.4
6.4
5.6
3.5
2.6
4.2
8.4
7.4
NaaO
13.8
7.3
16.0
15.8
3.5
13.9
12.2
12.5
9.7
6.6
5.0
7.3
4.0
6.7
P205
.5
.9
.7
.5
.7
.6
.4
.3
.9
.4
.9
1.2
1.1
SiOa
20.0
17.4
31.9
19.7
21.9
24.3
17.6
27.5
41.8
41.7
22.0
23.6
25.6
SO3
12.0
16.4
10.3
10.1
24.1
15.3
13.9
10.1
9.0
9.7
12.0
22.2
15.8
15.2
TiOj
1.0
.7
1.1
.9
.7
1.3
1.2
1.9
1.4
1.0
.9
1.5
1.6
Total
101.7
100.7
108.6
102.5
95.1
101.4
96.3
98.2
100.7
99.7
103.2
97.3
98.6
CO
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2
£
CO
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§
09
z
sg
i
w
£
z
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-------
SH-20
9S 43E S24
AACA
SH-21
9S43ES11
DCAC
SH-22
9S 43E S4
DBDD
SH-23
9S 43E S22
DBDD
SH-24
9S 43E S35
BCAC
SH-26
9S 43E S6
CCDB
SH-27
8S43ES31
CABB
SH-28
8S 42E S24
DBAA
SH-29
8S42ES12
CBDD
SH-57
7S 44E S28
BACC
SH-118
8S 44E S2
DBCA
SH-119
9S43ES15
CBCA
SH-7039
7S44ES19
CCAB
110 to
129 ft.
63 to
85ft.
93 to
98ft.
130 to
140 ft.
95 to
101 ft.
114 to
135 ft.
137 to
162 ft.
93 to
102 ft.
89 to
115ft.
110 to
126ft.
53 to
65ft.
110 to
127 ft.
46 to
70ft.
45-47
48-50
51
54
55
64-66
67-69
70
71-73
56-57
4-5
52-53
217-218
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Smith
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Canyon
Dietz
Anderson
Canyon
14.6
15.4
11.1
15.6
12.8
15.6
14.3
16.4
14.7
15.1
12.8
16.9
13.9
20.3
19.2
17.5
23.4
7.1
19.8
19.6
21.9
19.7
16.9
23.2
20.2
15.6
9.0
8.8
15.9
5.1
12.1
5.0
4.9
5.7
4.6
3.6
5.1
7.9
4.8
.3
.4
.2
.3
1.6
.3
.2
.4
.4
.5
.3
.2
1.8
4.9 10.3 1.0 19.3 14.2 1.2
5.3 10.3 1.1 21.1 12.9 1.5
5.7 7.1 .3 19.4 7.7 .5
6.7 8.3 .3 21.2 10.3 2.4
7.2
2.6 .8 37.1 9.1 .4
6.2 5.9
5.0 11.3
4.9 9.5
.7
23.4 13.9 1.3
4.5 10.8 .6 25.1 9.8 1.3
4.5 14.1 .9 27.7 14.8 .7
6.1 12.9 1.0 20.4 14.0 .8
18.0 15.0 .7
7.7 1.6 .1 42.1 11.6 .6
95.1
96.0
85.4
93.6
90.8
92.1
91.1
5.4 11.4 .6 24.1 13.7 1.1 100.7
20.4 12.9 1.0 90.5
98.8
96.6
94.0
99.8
2
2
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56
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
coal on its school-grant lands; a small amount of coal in
the area is privately owned.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The most prominent surface features in the Hanging
Woman Creek coal deposit are the creek and its tributar-
ies. Hanging Woman Creek is an intermittent stream,
which contains water in pools throughout the year, but
the tributaries are dry except during periods of heavy pre-
cipitation and spring runoff. The rolling uplands are deep-
ly dissected by the tributaries of Hanging Woman Creek,
and the terrain is especially rugged in T. 7 and 8 S., R. 43 E.
Stands of ponderosa pine are sparse along the steep sides
of the valleys; native grasses cover the ridges.
The principal land use is livestock grazing, but some
hay is raised in meadows along the flood plain of Hanging
Woman Creek and a few of its tributaries.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The Anderson coal bed dips to the south, and minor
reversals seem to have affected the topography. Slight
synclinal flexures along Hanging Woman Creek and the
divide to the east plunge gently southward.
Displacement on two northeast-trending faults down-
thrown to the southeast seemingly is less than 100 feet.
The faults may extend farther than shown, particularly
between drill hole SH-23 in sec. 26, T. 9 S., R.43 E., and
drill hole SH-24 in sec. 35 of that township. An east-
trending fault is alongPK Creek, in T. 8 S., R. 42 and 43 E.,
downthrown on the north.
COAL BEDS
The names applied to the coal beds in the Hanging
Woman Creek coal field are those used by Baker (1929).
They include the Roland, Smith, Anderson, Dietz, and
the Canyon beds. Several other coal beds lie below the
Canyon bed. A complete stratigraphic section (PI. 33,
Section D-M) is shown on the gamma log of an oil well in
NEVA sec. 36, T. 9 S., R. 42 E. This log shows the Roland
bed as 9 feet thick and 291 feet above the Smith bed,
which is 8 feet thick. The Smith bed is 148 feet above
the Anderson bed, which is 31 feet thick; the Anderson
bed is 122 feet above the Dietz No. 1 bed and 145 feet
above the Dietz No. 2 bed, each of which is only 4 feet
thick. Three coal beds about 230 feet below the Anderson
bed have thicknesses of 6 feet, 3 feet, and 8 feet, and are
separated by 10-foot partings. The Canyon coal bed is 13
feet thick and is about 300 feet below the Anderson. The
Wall coal bed, 140 feet below the top of the Canyon coal
bed, consists of three benches. The top one is 9 feet thick,
the middle one 6 feet, and the lower one 4 feet. The
upper parting is 6 feet and the lower is 16 feet. This log
correlates well with the gamma logs of an oil well in
SWttsec. 17,T.9S.,R.44E.
The Anderson coal bed is burned over much of the
area, especially where overburden is less than 50 feet
thick (PI. 9). Nevertheless, it is the most important bed in
the Hanging Woman Creek area because it maintains its
thickness and consistent quality. Subsurface correlation
of the Anderson bed is relatively easy because of its thick-
ness and its distinctive curve on bore-hole geophysical
logs. The thickness ranges from 15 feet in drill hole SH-
23, sec. 22, T.9 S., R. 43 E., to 36 feet in drill hole SH-3,
sec.3,T.8S.,R.44E.
The Dietz coal bed (PI. 9) crops out along the sides of
the valleys of Hanging Woman Creek and its tributaries
in the northern part of the area. In places, the bed has
burned and produced clinker, especially in the northern
part of the area where the bed is thickest. The maximum
thickness of 18 feet was penetrated in drill hole SH-10,
sec. 31, T. 7 S., R. 44 E.; in drill hole SH-18 in sec. 22,
T. 9 S., R. 44 E., it has a thickness of 10 feet. In the
southwestern part of the area, the Dietz bed consists of
two benches, each 4 feet thick, separated by as much as
30 feet of parting.
Strippable reserves in the Dietz coal bed over large
areas are covered with clinker produced by burning of
the overlying Anderson coal bed. The vertical distance
between the Dietz and the Anderson bed (PI. 9) is 50 to
70 feet in a large part of the area. Although it is 70 feet
in a large part of T. 9 S., R. 44 E., it decreases westward
to 60 feet, then increases to 100 feet in T. 9 S., R. 42 E.
This is the area where the Dietz coal bed splits and thins
appreciably. In most places where the Anderson bed has
not burned, it is about 100 feet above the Dietz bed. For
this reason, Strippable reserves in the Dietz bed have been
shown as far as the trace of the unburned Anderson coal
bed. In certain areas, such as the East Fork and Main
Fork of Trail Creek, the Dietz coal bed could be recovered
economically as far back as the Anderson overburden
limit of 50 feet. Information on the Dietz bed is not as
plentiful as for the Anderson bed. One or more silicified
layers about 2 to 4 feet thick hampered drilling between
the Anderson and the Dietz coal beds. Also, very heavy
white clay encountered in drill hole SH-23, sec. 22, T. 9 S.,
R. 43 E., tended to plug the drill pipe.
COAL QUALITY
Several core samples were obtained from the Hanging
Woman Creek coal field and were analyzed. Proximate
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—WEST MOORHEAD
57
analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating values are shown in
Table 26. Where multiple core samples were obtained
from a coal bed in a drill hole, they were combined prior
to analysis for major ash constituents (Table 27).
COAL RESERVES
Coal reserves in the Hanging Woman Creek area have
been calculated for both the Anderson and Dietz coal
beds (Table 25).
Reserves in the Anderson coal bed total 1,583,290,000
tons, and in the Dietz coal bed, 1,120,960,000 tons.
WEST MOORHEAD COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The West Moorhead coal field, in T. 7 S., R. 46 and
47 E., T. 8 S., R. 45,46, and 47 E., and the north half of
T. 9 S., R. 45, 46, and 47 E., Powder River County (PI.
10A, B, and C), is limited on the east by the steep slope
of the Powder River valley, on the south and west by
high ridges, and on the north by clinker areas of the
burned Anderson and Canyon coal beds. The area borders
the Hanging Woman Creek coal field (PI. 9) to the west
and the Diamond Butte (PI. 19), Goodspeed Butte (PI.
20), and Fire Gulch (PI. 21) coal fields to the north.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
Most of the field work for this report was done during
the summer of 1968, but in 1969 and 1970 some addi-
tional holes were drilled. The field method used for evalu-
ation of strippable coal in the West Moorhead coal field
was developed for areas where adequate topographic maps
were not available (Carmichael, 1967). It included the
establishment of temporary benchmarks by leveling
throughout the area for topographic control. These bench-
marks then served as base stations for altimeter surveys
by which hundreds of altimeter altitudes were measured
and plotted on aerial photos concurrently with mapping
of the coal outcrops, clinker, and contacts between the
burned and unburned areas. Drilling was carried out on a
reconnaissance basis to determine coal thickness and
depth; cores were taken for analysis of coal quality.
Modifications of the method by Montana Bureau of
Mines and Geology included use of a Paulin microbaro-
graph for recording variations in atmospheric pressure,
and use of a computer program to correct altimeter read-
ings for changes in temperature and pressure.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The West Moorhead coal field was described in an
open-file report by the US. Geological Survey (Bryson
and Bass, 1966), and in a Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology bulletin (Matson, 1971).
LAND OWNERSHIP
Sec. 16 and 36 of each township were granted to the
State of Montana for school land, and the state has gen-
erally retained the mineral rights. In the other sections of
each township, the Federal Government generally re-
tained the coal rights and some of the other mineral
rights, but most of the surface is privately owned.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The topography is characterized by long smooth ridge
tops, sharp breaks along the slopes of the ridges, and the
deeply incised valleys of tributaries of Otter Creek.
Although a small part of the area is cultivated and
some hay is raised in many of the valleys, most of the
area is suitable only for livestock grazing. Ponderosa pine
thinly veils much of the northern part of the area, es-
pecially along the steep sides of the valleys.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The regional dip of the strata is southwestward, but
reversals are numerous in shallow anticlinal and synclinal
structures.
Two west-trending faults were mapped by Bryson and
Bass (1966), one in the northern part of sec. 13, T. 8 S.,
R.46 E., and sec. 18, T.8 S., R.47 E., and another in the
north-central part of T. 8 S., R.45 E.The maximum rela-
tive vertical displacement observed on the Anderson coal
bed in sec. 13, T.8 S.,R.46 E., is about 60 feet. Displace-
ment of the Anderson coal bed by the fault in T. 8 S.,
R. 45 E., is about 40 feet.
The dominant structural features are shallow anticlines
and syndines in the eastern two-thirds of the mapped
area, where dips are about 1 degree (PI. 10A and C). A
pronounced structural high in sec. 17, 18, 20, and 21,
T. 8 S., R. 47 E., is south of the west-trending faults in
that township.
The structural contours on the Canyon and Anderson
beds show the variation in the stratigraphic separation of
these two coal beds. The vertical distance between these
coal beds is at a minimum, 120 feet, in the southern part
-------
58
STRIPPABLE COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Table 28.-Reserves, overburden, oveibuiden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, West Moorhead coal deposit.
ANDERSON, DIETZ, and CANYON BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto SO
SO to 100
100 to 150
Total
317.77
991.41
662.24
1,971.42
725.95
3,594.12
3.899.28
Total 8,219.35
2.28
3.62
5.88
Average 4.16
Total
13,632.0
29,702.4
19.289.6
62,624.0
23,310.6
33,378.6
34.331.4
Average 31,480.2
ANDERSON BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
76.5
1,268.6
1.571.3
Total 2,916.4
1.15
2.71
4.47
Average 3.30
1,433.6
10,483.2
7.744.0
Total 19,660.8
46,003.1
44,512.1
45.347.4
Average 44,949.3
DIETZ BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
Total
217.81 595.61 2.73
179.68 1.116.68 6.21
397.49 Total 1,712.29 Average 4.30
11,187.2
9.228.8
Total 20,416.0
19,469.5
19.469.4
Average 19,469.5
CANYON BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
53.84
1,208.84
2.327.98
Total 3490.66
of T. 8 S., R. 47 E. It increases westward to the maxi-
mum of 240 feet and increases northward to about 200
feet.
COAL BEDS
Although coal beds are numerous in the mapped area,
only the Canyon, Dietz, and Anderson beds offer pros-
pects for commercial development. These beds correlate
with beds of the same name in the Hanging Woman Creek
area (Pi. 33, Section D-M). Other coal beds in the area in-
clude the Smith bed, which is 110 to 150 feet above the
Anderson coal bed, and the Roland bed. The Smith bed
is thin, and in the western part of the mapped area it con-
tains numerous petrified tree stumps, many of which are
in an upright position. The Roland coal bed, mapped just
south of the study area, is about 200 feet above the
Smith bed (Bryson and Bass, 1966).
1.58
340
7.48
Average 5.2
Total
1,011.2
9,990.4
11445.6
22447.2
33,633.3
34444.2
26.942.7
Average 30,611.1
The Anderson coal bed (PI. 10A) is 40 to 81 feet
above the Dietz bed except in sec. 27, T. 8 S., R. 47 E.,
where in drill hole SM-4C the distance from the
base of the Anderson to the top of the Dietz is only
13 feet. This is also the area where the distance between
the Anderson and the Canyon beds reaches its mini-
mum of 120 feet. Thickness of the Anderson bed ex-
ceeds 24 feet except in the extreme south-central part
of the mapped area (PI. 10A). At the western edge of
the area, the Anderson bed is 30 feet thick in drill hole
SM-19, sec. 33, T. 8 S., R. 45 E. In the eastern part of
the area, it is 29 feet thick in drill hole SM-4, sec. 27,
T. 8 S., R. 47 E. The area of thinning is believed to be
confined to the vicinity of sec. 16, T. 9 S., R. 46 E.,
where the coal is 14 feet thick in drill hole SM-15. Whereas
only Ifc miles northeast in drill hole SM-11, sec. 11,
T.9 S., R.46 E., the bed is 29 feet thick.
-------
Table 29.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, West Moorhead coal deposit.
Drfllhote
and location
SH41
7S R46E S33
BDAC
iximate.'
Form of tulfur
SH-62
8S R46E S3
BDBB
SH-64
7SR46ES10
DCBC
SH-7041
8S R4SE S28
DAAD
SH-7042
8SR4SES1S
BBDD
SH-7043
8S R4SE S24
BAAA
Depth
sampled
125 to
134ft.
134 to
143 ft.
143 to
147 ft.
78 to
85 ft.
85 to
89ft.
48 to
50ft.
59 to
68ft.
68 to
69ft.
198 to
208ft.
130 to
142 ft.
43 to
52ft.
52 to
55ft.
132 to
140ft
140 to
148 ft.
148 to
153ft.
Lab.
number
134
135
136
137
138
139
220
221
222
223
228
225
226
224
227
Coal
bed
Canyon
Canyon
Cook
Dietz
Canyon
Canyon
Dietz
Canyon
Form of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
«
l/ Moisture
26.660
26.990
26.450
24.230
25.670
30.800
31.200
30.050
29.860
29.980
32.430
31.650
32.180
33.450
31.350
Volatile
matter
31.323
42.710
46.177
30.383
41.615
44.533
29.305
39.843
46.104
32.520
42.920
46.372
30.658
41.245
45.367
29.889
43.192
45.238
30.887
44.895
47.717
29.442
42.091
45.528
29.057
41.427
43.764
30.792
43.976
46.063
29.544
43.724
46.329
28.996
42.424
44.614
28.067
41.385
43.837
26.576
39.933
42.017
26.486
38.581
44.802
Fixed
carbon
36.509
49.781
53.823
37.843
51.833
55.467
34.258
46.577
53.896
37.609
49.636
53.628
36.919
49.669
54.633
36.181
52.285
54.762
33.843
49.191
52.283
35.226
50.359
54.472
37.338
53.233
56.236
36.056
51.494
53.937
34.226
50.653
53.671
35.997
52.666
55.386
35.959
53.021
56.163
36.674
55.108
57.983
32.633
47.535
55.198
Ash
5.507
7.509
4.784
6.552
9.988
13.580
5.640
7.444
6.753
9.086
3.130
4.524
4.069
5.915
5.282
7.551
3.745
5.340
3.172
4.530
3.800
5.623
3.357
4.911
3.794
5.594
3.300
4.958
9.531
13.884
Sulfur
.295
.403
.435
.323
.442
.473
1.383
1.880
2.175
.245
.324
.350
.415
.558
.613
.151
.218
.228
.315
.458
.486
.386
.552
.597
.092
.131
.139
.138
.197
.206
.660
.977
1.035
.311
.455
.478
.228
.336
.356
.177
.266
.280
1.247
1.817
2.109
Sulfate
.017
.024
.026
.034
.047
.050
.049
.066
.077
.035
.046
.050
.043
.058
.064
.024
.034
.036
.015
.022
.024
.015
.022
.024
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.023
.034
.036
.023
.034
.036
.023
.034
.036
.015
.022
.023
.022
.032
.038
Pyritic
.104
.142
.154
.076
.105
.112
.447
.608
.704
§1
1
7
2
.070
.077
.040
.057
.060
.069
.100
.107
.085
.121
.131
.038
.055
.058
.031
.044
.046
.123
.182
.193
.062
.091
.096
.121
.179
.190
.074
.111
.117
.423
.616
.716
Organic
.174
.237
.256
Si
.311
.887
1.205
1.395
.149
.197
.212
.320
.430
.473
.087
.126
.132
.230
.335
.356
.286
.408
.442
.054
.077
.081
.107
.153
.160
.514
.761
.806
.225
.330
.347
.083
.123
.130
.089
.133
.140
.802
1.168
1.356
Heating
value (Btu)
8379
11425
12352
8281
11343
12138
7534
10243
11853
8462
11169
12067
8029
10802
11881
7948
11486
12030
7907
11492
12214
8007
11446
12381
7970
11363
12004
8241
11769
12328
8080
11957
12670
7966
11655
12257
7826
11539
12223
7523
11304
11894
7419
10807
12549
S
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5
7
1
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s
o
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O
/A, at received; B, moisture free;C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 30.-Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and heating value, West Moorhead coal deposit.
s
Drillhole
and location
SM-4
8S 47E S27
BCAB
SM-1S
9S 46E S16
BADC
SM-18
8S 4SE S23
CDAC
SM-1A
7S 47E S16
BDC
SM-13
8S46ES16
CDCC
Drillhole
and location
SM-4
8S 47E S27
BCAB
SM-1S
9S46ES16
BADC
SM-18
8S 45E S23
CDAC
SM-1A
7S 47E S16
BDC
SM-13
8S46ES16
CDCC
Depth
sampled
86 to
115ft.
64 to
78ft.
52 to
83ft.
80 to
98ft.
84 to
103 ft.
Depth
sampled
86 to
115ft.
64 to
78ft.
52 to
83ft.
80 to
98ft.
84 to
103 ft.
Lab.
number
J-6243
J-6245
J-6246
J-6242
J-6244
Coal
bed
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Canyon
Canyon
Form of 1
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Proximate. %
Moisture
27.2
28.6
22.9
29.7
23.4
Volatile
matter
31.5
43.3
46.6
29.4
41.2
45.5
32.5
42.2
44.6
29.9
42.6
45.1
32.3
42.2
44.4
Fixed
carbon
36.2
49.7
53.4
35.3
49.4
54.5
40.4
52.4
55.4
36.4
51.7
54.9
40.4
52.7
55.6
Ash
5.1
7.0
6.7
9.4
4.2
5.4
4.0
5.7
3.9
5.1
S
0.4
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.3
H
6.4
4.6
4.9
6.4
4.5
4.9
6.1
4.6
4.8
6.5
4.6
4.9
6.1
4.6
4.9
Ultimate, %
C N
49.3 0.9
67.7 1.2
72.9 1.3
47.5
66.6
73.5
52.7
68.4
72.3
48.4
68.8
73.0
.0
.4
.5
.1
.4
.5
.0
.4
.5
53.4 1.0
69.8 1.4
73.5 1.4
Heating
O value (Bni)
37.9 8150
18.9 11210
20.3
38.0
17.6
19.5
35.6
19.8
21.0
39.8
19.1
20.2
35.4
18.8
19.9
12060
7950
11130
12280
8790
11410
12060
8070
11470
12170
8920
11650
12280
H
•3
§5
t«
w
o
o
CO
0
Table 31.-Grindability, forms of sulfur, and fusibility of ash, West Moorhead coal deposit.
Form of sulfur. %
Lab.
number
J-6243
J-6245
J-6246
J-6242
J-6244
Coal
bed
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson
Canyon
Canyon
Form of i Hardgrove
analysis / grindability
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
43
43
45
39
43
Sulfur
.40
i6o
.36
.50
.55
.30
.39
.41
.31
.38
.40
.25
.32
.33
Sulfate
.01
.02
.02
.01
.02
.02
.03
.04
.04
.01
.00
.02
.02
.02
Pyritic
.01
.01
.01
.01
:o°{
.03
.04
.04
.03
.00
.00
.01
.01
.01
Organic
.38
.53
.57
.34
.47
.52
.24
.31
.33
.27
.38
.40
.22
29
.30
Fusibility of n*h F
Initial
deformation Softening Fluid
temp. temp. temp.
2350
2010
2480
2400
2470
2410
2050
2530
2450
2460
2090
2570
2500
S
CO
93
Z
O
z
H
2520 2570
I/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 32.-Major ash constituents, West Moorhead coal deposit
Drill hole
and location
SM-1A
7S47ES16
BDC
SM-4
8S 47E S27
BCAB
SM-13
8S46ES16
CDCC
SM-1S
9S46ES16
BADC
SM-18
8S45ES23
CDAC
SH-61
7S 46E S33
BDAC
SH-62
8S 46E S3
BDBB
SH-7041
8S 4SE S28
DAAD
SH-7042
8S4SES15
BBDD
SH-7043
8S 4SE S24
BAAA
Depth
sampled
80 to
98ft.
86 to
115 ft.
84 to
103 ft.
64 to
78ft.
52 to
83ft.
125 to
147 ft.
78 to
89ft.
59 to
69ft.
198 to
208 ft.
130 to
142 ft.
43 to
55ft.
132 to
153 ft.
Lab. Coal Constituent, %
sample bed A12O3 CaO Fe2O3 K2O MgO Na2O P2OS SiO2 SO3 TiO2 H2O
Canyon 12.6 29.2 7.2 .66 8.6 7.9 .77 17.2 14.1 .73 .55
J-6242
J-6243
J-6244
J-6245
J-6246
134-136
137-138
220-221
222
223
225,228
Canyon
Dietz
Dietz
FeO MnO CO2 Total
.28 .12 <.05 99.96
Anderson 13.4 25.8 7.5 .28 7.1 5.9 .62 18.9 17.3 1.1 .96 .20 .09 .30 99.45
Canyon 11.2 29.3 6.5 .39 8.3 8.8 .64 16.4 15.7 .65 .69 .08 .09 .60 99.34
Anderson 15.5 18.4 3.5 1.3 6.0 2.7 .98 35.7 11.6 .93 .68 1.6 .06
Anderson 12.2 27.0 5.8 .34 8.4 2.4 1.00 14.4 27.4 .72 .30 .32 .06
Canyon 12.1 15.6 6.8 1.0 5.8 2.2 .3 39.7 11.2 .5
11.2 19.3 5.7 1.0
7.3 1.1 .4 40.7 11.9 .6
12.2 27.7 6.3 .3 9.9 3.6 1.9 20.5 15.5 .6
Canyon 12.1 24.2 6.3 .4 6.1 10.0 1.3 28.4 8.1 .7
Canyon 12.4 32.2 7.1 .3 8.1. 9.7 .7 14.9 9.7 .5
12.1 23.5 6.9 .2 10.8 1.6 1.7 13.4 25.7 .4
226, Canyon 12.7 19.6 6.9 .8 5.2 9.4 1.0 27.8 18.1 .5
224,227
O
.20 99.15 >
f
.10 100.44 g
T
95.2 w
v>
H
S
99.2 O
«fl
a
£
98.5 D
97.6
95.6
96.3
102.0
-------
62
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Thickness of the Canyon coal bed (PL IOC) ranges
from 17 to 24 feet and averages 18 feet in the eastern
two-thirds and 22 feet in the western one-third of the
mapped area. A coal bed 2 to 5 feet thick lies about 5
feet above the Canyon in the eastern two-thirds of the
area but is absent in the western one-third.
The Dietz coal bed (PI. 10B), 67 to 122 feet above the
Canyon bed and 40 to 81 feet below the Anderson coal
bed, ranges in thickness from 5 to 11 feet, but seems to
be thinner or absent in T. 7 S., R. 47 E.
COAL QUALITY
Twenty core samples were recovered during drilling
programs in 1968,1969, and 1970. Proximate, ultimate,
ash fusibility, sulfur forms, and grindability analyses of
five cores obtained in 1968 were performed by the U.S.
Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh Coal Research Center (Tables
30, 31). Proximate analyses of cores obtained in 1969
and 1970 were made in the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology analytical laboratory (Table 29). Major ash con-
stituents of the core samples obtained in 1968 were de-
termined by the U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.;
those in the cores obtained in 1969 and 1970 were deter-
mined by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology ana-
lytical laboratory (Table 32).
COAL RESERVES
The strippable reserves in the West Moorhead coal field
total 1,971,420,000 tons. The Anderson bed contains
the largest reserves, 883,740,000 tons, the Canyon con-
tains 690,190,000 tons, and the Dietz 397,490,000 tons.
POKER JIM CREEK-O'DELL CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek coal deposit is in
T. 3 through 6 S., R. 42 through 45 E., Rosebud County
(PI. 11A and B). The north end of the area is 3 miles
south of the community of Ashland, and the western
boundary of the deposit is the Tongue River. The south-
ern boundary is near Birney, where the overburden be-
comes excessive, and the eastern boundary is the high di-
vide between the Tongue River and Otter Creek. The area
is between the Ashland (PI. 13A) and Otter Creek (PI. 12)
coal deposits to the north and the Birney coal deposit
(PI. 7) to the south.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
Field work in the Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek coal
deposit was begun in 1969; further drilling in 1970 ex-
panded the data base. Geologic mapping on black-and-
white aerial photos fixed the boundaries of the clinker
produced by burning of the Knobloch coal bed. Private
company drill holes and logs of oil wells in the vicinity
helped in the preparation of maps of the Knobloch coal
bed. A cross section through the area is shown on Plate 34.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The area was mapped and described in a U. S. Geologi-
cal Survey report on the Birney-Broadus coal field (War-
ren, 1959). Ayler, Smith, and Deutman (1969) included
the Knobloch deposits in their report on the strippable
coal reserves in Montana.
LAND OWNERSHIP
The land surface in the Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek
coal deposit is owned by individuals, the State of Mon-
tana, and the Federal Government. The administration of
the federally-owned land is divided between the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
Some strippable coal in the northern part of the area lies
within the Custer National Forest (PL 1 IB). The owner-
ship of the coal is divided between the Federal Govern-
ment, Burlington Northern, Inc., the State of Montana,
and some individuals. The railroad owns the coal on the
odd-numbered sections outside the Custer National For-
est and has, in general, conveyed the surface but retained
the coal.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Tongue River has formed a wide valley in the
area, and the strippable coal lies on the east side of the
valley. The terrain slopes gently toward the Tongue River
and, in the northern part of the area, toward the areas of
clinker formed by the burning of the underlying Knobloch
coal bed, but the clinker forms steep slopes and cliffs.
Many higher coal beds have burned to form clinker,
which caps knobs and borders the high ridges to the east.
In the north-central part of the area, O'Dell Creek has
cut a valley approximately fc mile wide. Other tributaries
of the Tongue River are generally short and steep. Hang-
ing Woman Creek, at the south end of the area, has also
cut a prominent valley.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing.
Hay is raised on meadows on the flood plain of the Tongue
River, along O'Dell Creek, and along Hanging Woman
Creek.
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—POKER JIM CREEK-O'DELL CREEK
63
Table 33.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek coal deposit
KNOBLOCH BED-PLATE 11A
Thickness of
overburden,!*.
Oto SO
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
Indicated reserves,
million tons
110.10
122.71
111.94
28.54
Total 373.29
Overburden and
inteiburden,
million cu. yd.
268.17
401.60
438.31
133.88
al 1,241.96
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
2.43
3.27
3.91
4.69
Average 3.32 I
Total
Acres
3,040
2,566
1,824
460
7,890
Average
Tons/acre
36,217.1
47,821.5
61,370.6
62.043.5
47,311.8
KNOBLOCH-PLATE 11B
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
200 to 250
Indicated reserves,
million tons
8.66
60.66
194.72
198.79
101.95
Total 564.78
Total
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek area
are nearly horizontal, but local dips and rises are numer-
ous. In the northern part of the area, the Knobloch coal
bed is some distance above river level, and in the western
part of T. 5 S., R. 43 E., it crops out at river level. The mid-
dle bench of the Knobloch is approximately 100 feet be-
low surface at Birney.
COAL BEDS
The Knobloch is the only coal bed in the Poker Jim
Creek-O'Dell Creek area that is strippable. The King bed
is 40 to 200 feet above the Knobloch. Other beds in the
divide between Tongue River and Otter Creek are the
O'Dell, Pawnee, Wall, Cook, Dunning, Canyon, and And-
erson beds, but none of these were mapped for this re-
port. The Knobloch coal bed was named for the Knob-
loch ranch in sec. 17, T. 5 S., R. 43 E.
The Knobloch coal bed is a single seam along the north
end of the Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek area (PI. 11B),
but the center of the area and farther south the Knob-
loch is split into three benches. In the northern part of
the area, the Knobloch is as much as 60 feet thick, as
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
5.79
92.15
509.98
709.66
464.64
U 1,782.22
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
0.66
1.51
2.61
3.55
4.55
Average 3.15 1
Total
Acres
108.8
761.6
2,508.8
2,528.0
1.280.0
7,187.2
Average
Tons/acre
79,595.6
79,648.1
77,614.8
78,635.3
79.648.4
78,581.4
measured in drill hole SH-7055, sec. 6, T. 4 S., R. 45 E. In
drill hole SH-7059, sec. 34, T. 3 S., R.44 E., only 14 feet
of the coal was drilled, owing to lost circulation. In drill
hole SH-7058, sec. 22, T. 4 S., R. 44 E., the Knobloch is 42
feet thick, but in the southern part of T. 4 S., R. 44 E., (PI.
11B, 34), the Knobloch begins to split into three benches.
In drillhole SH-100, sec. 5,T.5 S., R.44 E.,the upper and
middle benches have a combined thickness of 27 feet,
and the lower bench, 50 feet below, has a thickness of 5
feet. The main bed splits again in the northern part of
T. 5 S., R. 43 E., to form the upper and middle benches.
The upper bench is 7% feet thick in DH-3, sec. 16, T. 5 S.,
R. 43 E., and 9 feet thick in drill hole SH-101, sec. 20,
T. 5 S., R. 43 E., where it is 29 feet above the middle
bench, which is 18 feet thick. In an abandoned mine in
the SE& sec. 19, T. 5 S., R. 43 E., the upper bench is al-
most 12 feet thick. The 14-foot parting below it consists
of 6 feet of claystone and 8 feet of sandstone overlying
the middle bench, which is 20 feet thick. In drill hole SH-
117 in sec. 30 of the same township, the upper bench is
8 feet thick and the one below it is 20 feet thick. They
are separated by a 41-foot parting. In drill hole SH-103,
sec. 7, T. 6 S., R. 43 E., a carbonaceous zone about 52
feet above the main bench is presumed to correlate with
the upper bench of the Knobloch. In this drill hole the
middle bench is 12 feet thick, and the lower bench is 13
-------
Table 34.-Proximate analyci», fornu of culfui, and heating value, Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek ooal deposit.
Proximate,
Form of sulfur, %
null hole
and location
SH-7058
4S R44F. S22
AIH'H
SH 705<>
.IS R44I Sl-t
DBBD
SH-IOO
SS R44I
AHAA
S.S
sn-io.i
65 R4.M S7
CDAD
SH 117
SS R43F S30
BACD
SH-705S
4S R4SE S6
DDBA
Depth
umpled
W to
Ml ft.
2(H) to
202ft.
i :.s to
105 to
112ft.
60 to
66 ft.
216 to
218 ft
Lab.
number
269
270
158
142
153
265
Coal
bed
Knobloch
Knobloch
Knobloch
(U4M)
l-'orm of
1,
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
I)
r
Knobloch A
(M) B
C
Knobloch A
(U) B
C
Knobloch A
(U&MAL) B
C
Moisture
25.380
26.510
22.500
21.720
22.560
26.320
Volatile
matter
30.906
41.418
44.070
29.863
40.635
42.771
29.007
37.428
40.235
31.308
39.995
43.257
29.278
37.808
40.293
29.855
40.519
44.361
Fixed
carbon
39.223
52.564
55.930
39.958
54.372
57.229
43.088
55.597
59.765
41.068
52.464
56.743
43.386
56.025
59.707
37.444
50.820
55.639
Ash
4.491
6.019
3.669
4.993
5.406
6.975
5.903
7.541
4.776
6.168
6.381
8.661
Sulfur
.150
.201
.213
.095
.129
.136
.201
.259
.278
.163
.208
.225
.594
.767
.817
.154
.209
.229
Sulfate
.025
.033
036
.000
.000
.000
.017
.022
.024
.000
.000
.000
.080
.103
110
.000
.000
.000
Pyritic
.017
.022
.024
.017
.023
.025
.035
.045
.048
.018
.023
.025
.177
.229
.244
.024
.033
.036
Organic
.108
.145
.154
.078
.105
.111
.148
.191
.206
.145
.185
.200
.337
.435
.463
.130
.176
.193
Heating
value (Btu)
9036
12109
12884
9005
12253
12897
8380
10813
11624
8963
11450
12384
9135
11797
12572
8558
11615
12717
U • Upper bench of Knobloch
M • Middle bench of Knobloch
L • Lower bench of Knobloch
/A, as received; B. moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 35.-Major ash constituents, Poker Jim Creek-ODell Creek coal deposit.
Drill hole Depth Lab. Coal
Constituent, %
and location
SH-7058
4S 44E S22
ABCB
SH-7059
3S 441 S34
DBBD
SH-100
5S 44K S5
ABAA
SH-103
6S43I S7
CDAD
SH-117
5S43I S30
BACD
SH-7055
4S 451 S6
DUBA
sampled
193 to
202 ft.
200 to
202 ft.
125 to
134 ft.
105 to
112ft
60 to
66ft.
216 to
2IK ft.
sample
269
270
158
142
153
265
bed A12O3 CaO Fe2O3 K2O MgO Na2O PaO5 SiO3 SO3 TiO2 Total
Knobloch 21.0 20.6 4.7 .2 3.7 9.8 .4 29.2 6.5 .6 96.7
Knobloch 23.5 21.6 4.4 .2 3.9 12.3 .6 25.1 5.3 .4 97.3
Knobloch 19.4 15.7 3.5 .2 3.3 10.8 .2 29.8 13.2 .6 96.7
(U&M)
Knobloch 26.5 8.1 2.6 .3 1.5 7.1 1.7 44.6 4.1 .7 97.2
(M)
Knobloch 14.3 12.8 9.2 1.2 3.2 7.0 .2 25.4 20.0 .5 93.8
(U)
Knobloch 22.0 15.0 2.7 .1 2.5 6.9 .7 39.8 4.9 .8 95.5
(U & M & L)
S
O
D
C
f
O
H
O
8
H
T
3
B
to
d
S
O
s
I
6
d
H
£
>a
H
n
PS
U • Upper bench ..1 Knobloch
M • Middle bench of Knobloch
L, • Lower IMTK-II of Knobloch
in
-------
66
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
feet thick. These beds can be correlated with beds shown
on a log of an oil well in the NW& sec. 12, T. 6 S., R. 42 E.
(PI. 33 and 34).
COAL QUALITY
Six core samples of the Knobloch coal bed were ana-
lyzed in the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology ana-
lytical laboratory for proximate analysis, forms of sulfur,
and heating value (Table 34), and major ash constituents
(Table 35).
COAL RESERVES
All strippable reserves in the Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell
Creek coal deposit are in the Knobloch coal bed (Table
33). The reserves total 938,070,000 tons, comprising
564,780,000 tons.shown on Plate 11B and 373,290,000
tons shown on Plate 11 A.
OTTER CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Otter Creek coal deposit (PI. 12) is in T. 4 and 5 S.,
R. 45 and 46 E., about 12 miles south of Ashland by
road. The deposit is limited on the west, south, and east
by excessive overburden, and on the north it adjoins the
Ashland (PI. 13A and B) and the Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell
Creek (PI. 11A and B) coal deposits. To the southeast it
borders the Diamond Butte (PI. 19) and Goodspeed Butte
(PI. 20) coal deposits. It overlaps the Yager Butte (PI. 23A
and B) coal deposit to the east.
HELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The evaluation of strippable coal in the Otter Creek
area was begun in 1967 when four holes were drilled on
state-owned land (Matson, Dahl, and Blumer, 1968). In
1970 additional holes were drilled to extend the coal re-
serves and to gather data for structural control to accu-
rately determine the strippable reserves. Gamma logs of
several oil wells were helpful in developing the structural
picture, as well as for compiling the overburden maps.
The geology in the Otter Creek area was mapped during
the summer of 1970 on black-and-white aerial photos
and during the winter of 1972 on color aerial photos.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Otter Creek area was included in a report on the
Birney-Broadus area (Warren, 1959); in a report on strip-
pable coal (Ayler, Smith, and Deutman, 1969); and in
a report on strippable coal deposits on state lands
(Matson, Dahl, and Blumer, 1968).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The surface ownership in the Otter Creek area is di-
vided between private individuals, the State of Montana,
and the Federal Government. The State of Montana owns
the surface in sec. 16 and 36 of each township, and the
Federal Government has control of a few small tracts in
the east half of T. 4 S., R. 45 E., and the land within the
Custer National Forest. The rest of the surface is privately
owned.
The ownership of the coal on state sections remains
with the state; that on public lands with the Federal
Government. The Otter Creek area is within the land
grant to Burlington Northern, Inc., which owns coal on
the odd-numbered sections outside the Custer National
Forest. The railroad has conveyed most of the surface but
has kept the coal rights from its original land grant. Some
coal along the Otter Creek valley is privately owned.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The principal surface feature in the area, Otter Creek,
is a northward-flowing tributary, which joins the Tongue
River at Ashland. Except in unusually dry years, it con-
tains water all year, but it also has periods of no flow
each year. The major tributaries of Otter Creek flow only
during periods of heavy precipitation and spring runoff.
Tributaries entering Otter Creek from the east are long,
have gentle gradients, and occupy wide valleys. They head
near the top of the divide between Otter Creek and
Pumpkin Creek to the east. Tributaries entering Otter
Creek from the west are shorter and steeper. Otter Creek
has deeply intrenched meanders; its present flood plain
is about a half mile wide. Clinker formed by the burning
of the underlying Knobloch coal bed borders the flood
plain and forms nearly vertical clinker banks in places. A
broad terrace, 100 to 150 feet above the present level of
Otter Creek, has been deeply dissected in places by the
tributaries of Otter Creek.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing,
but grain and hay are raised in fields and meadows along
Otter Creek and its tributaries.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
Elevations obtained from drill data on the top of the
Knobloch coal bed clearly show an anticline in the north
half of T. 5 S., R. 45 E. At its crest, the strata have been
uplifted about 80 feet above their position in the south-
ernmost part of T.4S..R.45 E., and in the northern part
of T. 5 S., R. 45 E. The Knobloch bed is exposed about 30
to 40 feet above stream level near the crest of the anti-
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—OTTER CREEK
67
Table 36.—Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Otter Creek coal deposit.
KNOBLOCH BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
200 to 250
241.77
492.21
535.42
487.51
318.64
Total 2,075.55
Total
275.52
953.30
U82.42
1,454.34
1.141.97
5,407.55
1.13
1.93
2.95
2.98
3.58
Average 2.60
Total
3,686.4
7,091.2
7,352.6
4,870.4
2.790.4
25,791.0
Average
65,591.4
69,413.3
72,820.5
100,104.7
114.207.9
80,475.7
cline (Warren, 1959, p. 566). To the north in sec. 16,
T. 4 S., R. 45 E., the Knobloch coal bed crops out near
stream level, and to the south, in the south half of sec. 26,
T. 5 S., R. 45 E., it dips below stream level. Although the
information is inconclusive, because of scarcity of drill
data, the changes in thickness of the Knobloch coal bed
suggest that the anticline, as a structural feature, con-
trolled to some extent the deposition of the Knobloch
bed (PL 34, Section OC'-A'). The drill holes do show that
the Knobloch bed thins and begins to split on the north-
ern flank of the anticline, and the partings thicken on the
southern flank, where the lowest bench of the Knobloch
is either thin or missing.
COAL BEDS
The Knobloch coal bed contains the only strippable
reserves in the Otter Creek coal deposit. Other coal beds
include the King bed, which is 70 to 160 feet above the
Knobloch bed in T. 5 S., R. 45 E., and several higher
beds, which are exposed along the steep slopes of the
ridges on both sides of Otter Creek.
The thickest coal section in the Otter Creek deposit
was 66 feet as measured in drill hole SH-7054, sec. 2,
T. 4 S., R. 45 E. Southward, the Knobloch bed thins grad-
ually; in drill hole SS-6, sec. 16, T. 4 S., R. 45 E., it has a
thickness of 47 feet. The split begins to develop in the
Knobloch coal bed in the southern part of T. 4 S., R. 45 E.,
as shown in a log of an oil well in sec. 24 (PI. 34, Section
OC'-A'), where the upper bench is 46 feet thick and the
lower bench is 19 feet thick. Both benches thin south-
ward, as shown by the isopachs (PL 12). In the northern
part of T. 5 S., R. 45 E., the upper bench of the Knob-
loch splits again and a bench called the middle bench
appears. In about this same place, the lower bench thins
and has not been traced farther south.
COAL QUALITY
Core samples from the Otter Creek coal field were
analyzed by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
analytical laboratory, except for one sample taken in
1967 from drill hole SS-5, which was analyzed by the
U.S. Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh Coal Research Center.
Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value
are shown in Table 37, and major ash constituents are
shown in Table 38.
COAL RESERVES
Strippable reserves in the Knobloch coal bed in the
Otter Creek coal field total 2,075,550,000 tons (Table 36).
-------
Ttble 37.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Otter Creek coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SI 1-7044
SS R46E S30
DDAD
SH-7045
SSR46ES20
CBBD
Sll-7049
SS R46E S2
DCDB
SH-705 1
4S R46h
CBBA
SH-705 2
5SR4SES27
BDAO
SH-705 3
4S R4SE S4
AAAA
Depth
sampled
178 to
l£7 ft.
187to
197ft.
197 to
199 ft.
60 to
65ft.
106 to
115ft.
115 to
124ft.
124to
127 ft.
177to
185 ft.
185 to
193 n.
!•».! to
117ft.
116 to
1 26 ft.
126lo
135 ft.
106 to
116 H.
116 to
126ft.
112 to
122ft.
Lab.
number
233
234
235
238
229
230
231
246
2-J7
248
250
251
253
254
255
Coal
bed
Knobloch
pximate.
Form of mlfur. %
Knobloch
Knobloch
Rnobloch
Knobloch
Knobloch
Form of i
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Moisture
27.690
28.470
28.940
29.390
36.400
29.790
24.S60
26.900
29.S80
31.350
28.590
30.850
28.760
31.730
28.150
Volatile
matter
29.270
40.479
43.761
30.685
42.898
46.014
28.224
39.719
41.993
26.025
36.857
43.385
25.739
40.471
43.094
28.268
40.263
43.461
30.464
40.382
42.785
35.300
48.290
52.007
29.938
42.514
45.568
30.795
44.858
47.416
28.559
39.993
43.016
26.986
39.026
41.178
31.015
43.535
46.316
36.569
53.566
56.471
28.810
40.097
42.371
fixed
carbon
37.616
52.021
56.239
36.001
50.330
53.986
38.987
54.864
58.007
33.961
48.097
56.615
33.990
53.443
56.906
36.774
52.378
56.539
40.739
54.002
57.215
32.576
44.563
47.993
35.761
50.783
54.432
34.151
49.747
52.584
37.832
52.979
56.984
38.550
55.748
58.822
35.949
50.461
53.684
28.188
41.289
43.529
39.185
54.537
57.629
Ash
5.423
7.500
4.844
6.772
3.849
5.417
10.624
15.046
3.871
6.086
5.167
7.360
4.237
5.617
5.224
7.146
4.721
6.703
3.704
5.395
5.019
7.028
3.614
5.226
4.277
6.003
3.512
5.145
3.855
5.365
Sulfur
.157
.218
.235
.205
.286
.307
.190
.268
.283
5.320
7.534
8.869
.160
.252
.268
.178
.254
.274
.276
.366
.388
.225
.308
.331
.140
.198
.213
.219
.319
.338
.181
.254
.273
.169
.245
,258
.277
.389
.414
.219
.320
.338
.143
.199
.210
Sulfate
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.126
.179
.210
.021
.033
.035
.023
.033
.036
.025
.033
.035
.018
.025
.026
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.016
.022
.023
Pyritic
.008
.011
.012
.008
.011
§12
16
22
.024
4.295
6.083
7.161
.042
.066
.070
.046
.066
.071
.025
.033
.035
.045
.062
.066
.031
.044
.047
.030
.044
.047
.000
.000
.000
.015
.022
.023
.016
!024
.038
.055
.265
.016
.022
.023
Organic
.149
.206
.223
.197
.275
.295
.175
.246
.260
.898
1.272
1.498
.097
.153
.163
.108
.154
.167
.226
.300
.318
.162
.221
.238
.109
.154
.165
.189
.275
.291
.181
.254
.273
.154
.222
.235
.261
.367
.390
.181
.265
.279
.111
.155
.163
Heating
value (Btu)
8515
11776
12731
8399
11742
12595
8457
11901
12583
8011
11345
13354
7458
11726
12486
7961
11340
12240
8891
11786
12487
8261
11301
12171
8002
11364
12180
7831
11407
12058
8305
11631
12510
8283
11978
12638
8258
11592
12332
8129
11908
12554
8576
11936
12613
co
»4
2
•0
•0
>
£
n
o
o
>
t*
CO
O
2
^3
B
a
>
CO
»3
n
so
z
S
o
z
H
55
-------
SH-7053
4S R45E S4
AAAA
SH-7054
4SR45I S2
DBfX
SH-7055
4S K45KS6
ODBA
SH-7060
4« H4M. ',<:
\>\>f\<
\>M>\>
122 to
132 ft.
132 to
140 ft.
140 to
148 ft.
148 to
L56ft.
156 to
165ft.
165 to
171 ft.
84 to
94ft
94 to
100 fl.
100 to
106 It
216 to
218ft
141 to
H'> ft.
)4'> to
151ft
rif, to
7711
Knobloch
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
271
272
I73JI9
Knobloch
Knobloch
Knobloch
Knobloch
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
r
A
If
C
A
I)
C
A
I)
C
A
I)
('•
A
It
C
A
I)
C
Moisture
28.S30
26.670
27.290
27.010
26.720
27.140
25.490
23.960
23.740
26.320
29 190
30.720
26.6
30.904
43.241
45.635
29.897
40.770
42.480
30.073
41.361
44.189
30.241
41.432
44.439
28.930
39.478
42.998
28.786
39.509
43.283
30.717
41.225
43.895
32.554
42.811
44.998
32.853
43.080
45.408
29.855
40.519
44.361
29.104
41.102
43.782
29.460
42.523
44.608
29.6
40.3
43.4
36.817
51.514
54.365
40.482
55.205
57.520
37.983
52.239
55.811
37.810
51.801
55.561
38.353
52.337
57.002
37.721
51.772
56.717
39.261
52.693
56.105
39.792
52.330
55.002
39.498
51.794
54.592
37.444
50.820
55.639
37.372
52.778
56.21H
36.582
52.804
55.392
38.6
52.6
56.6
3.748
5.245
2.952
4.025
4.654
6.401
4.939
6.767
5.998
8.185
6.353
8.719
4.532
6.082
3.695
4.859
3.909
5.126
6.381
8.661
4.334
6.120
3.237
4.673
5.2
7.1
.149
.208
.220
.129
.175
.183
.166
.228
.244
.152
.208
.223
.175
.239
.260
.388
.533
.584
.142
.191
.203
.168
.221
.233
.149
.195
.206
.154
.209
.229
.120
.169
.180
.126
.182
.191
.200
.30Q
.300
.016
.022
.023
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.016
.022
.024
.025
.034
.036
.025
.033
.035
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.047
.066
.069
.016
.022
.023
.047
.065
.070
.040
.055
.059
.024;
.033
.036
.024
.033
.037
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.017
.022
.023
.024
.033
.036
.000
.000
.000
.024
.034
.036
.086
.121
.127
.113
.154
.160
.119
.163
.174
.112
.153
.164
.151
.207
.225
.348
.478
.523
.117
.157
.168
.143
.188
.198
.132
.173
.183
.130
.176
.193
.120
.169
.180
.103
.148
.155
8699
12171
1284S
8812
12017
12521
8823
12134
12964
8694
11912
12776
8543
11659
12698
8496
11661
12774
8962
12028
12807
9314
12249
12875
9301
12197
12856
8558
11615
12717
8454
11939
12717
8373
12086
12678
8740
11910
12810
z
o
J3
o
c
r
D
n
•s
o
CO
H
A
n
V
n
n
n
P^
/A, M rr<.«|vc
-------
Drill hole
and location
SH-7044
5S 46E S30
DDAD
SH-7045
5S 46E S20
CBBD
SH-7049
5S 46E S2
DCDB
SH-7051
4S 46E S33
CBBA
SH-7052
5S 45E S27
BDAC
SH-7053
4S 45E S4
AAAA
SH-7054
4S 45E S2
DBDC
SH-7055
4S 45E S6
DDBA
SH-7060
4S 46E S6
DDAC
Depth
sampled
178 to
199 ft.
60 to
65 ft.
106 to
127 ft.
177 to
197 ft.
116 to
1 35 ft.
106 to
126 ft.
112 to
156 ft.
156 to
171 ft.
84 to
1 06 ft.
216 to
218 ft.
141 to
153 ft.
Lab.
sample
233-235
238
229-231
246-248
250-251
253-254
255-259
260-261
262-264
265
271-272
Table 38.-Major ash constituents, Otter Creek coal deposit. o
foal Constituent, %
bed A12O3 CaO FejOs K2O MgO Na2O P2O5 SiO2 SO3 TiO2 Total
Knobloch 16.2 20.5 5.3 .5 3.5 7.5 .7 27.9 7.8 .6 90.5
Knobloch 4.9 5.4 61.5 .5 .8 2.7 .1 11.0 10.3 .1 97.3
12.4 20.4 4.9 .3 7.7 5.3 .5 32.2 10.5 .7 94.9
CO
H
Knobloch 16.4 23.8 5.0 .3 3.7 9.5 .2 28.6 8.3 .6 96.4 jg
13
n
Knobloch 18.1 24.1 5.0 .3 3.7 9.4 .7 30.3 7.2 .7 99.5 w
o
Knobloch 18.1 20.1 4.7 .2 3.1 8.9 1.2 29.0 10.8 .6 96.7 u>
O
^
X
Knobloch 20.4 20.6 3.6 .2 3.9 9.4 .4 31.0 6.3 .8 96.6 5
W
3
18.1 12.9 3.2 1.0 2.6 5.9 .2 42.2 9.5 .7 96.3 *
S
O
Knobloch 21.5 24.5 3.4 .2 5.3 5.3 .2 25.7 7.1 .6 93.9 H
fc
2
Knobloch 22.0 15.0 2.7 .2 2.5 6.9 .7 39.8 4.9 .8 95.5
Knobloch 19.6 22.5 3.8 .2 1.9 11.0 .1 30.2 5.9 .7 95.9
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—ASHLAND
71
Table 39.—Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Ashland coal deposit.
KNOBLOCH BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto SO
SO to 100
100 to 150
ISO to 200
200 to 250
89.34
414.26
758.39
866.39
567.82
Total 2,696.20
Total
51.99 0.58 928
535.63 1.29 4,416
1,617.23 2.13 8,256
2,579.97 2.98 7,616
2.159.68 3.80 6.016
6,944.50 Average 2.58 Total 27,200
Average
96,271.6
93,808.9
91,859.3
113,759.2
94.384.9
99,125.0
A, C, and SAWYER BEDS
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
146.04 440.56
111.99 772.84
99.46 1.128.97
357.49 Total 2,342.37
ASHLAND COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Ashland coal deposit is in T. 2 and 3 S., R. 44,45,
and 46 E., Powder River and Rosebud Counties (PI. ISA,
B). The area is bounded on the west by the Tongue River,
which is also the east boundary of the Northern Cheyenne
Indian Reservation. It is bounded on the east by exces-
sively thick overburden on the divide between Pumpkin
Creek and Otter Creek. To the north, the area borders
the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit (PI. 9), and
to the south, it borders the Poker Jim Creek-O'Dell Creek
coal deposit (PI. 1 IB), which is south of the southeastern
corner of T. 3 S., R. 44 E., and the Otter Creek coal de-
posit (PI. 12), which is south of T. 3 S., R. 45 and 46 E.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work, conducted during the summer of
1970, included drilling and surface mapping of the coal
outcrops and clinker boundaries. Black-and-white aerial
photos were used for field mapping; colored aerial photos
borrowed from the Ashland Division of the U S. Forest
Service were used for further evaluation. Structure con-
tour maps of the top of the Knobloch and Sawyer coal
beds were prepared and 7&-minute topographic maps
were used in the preparation of overburden maps.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The outcrops of the major coal beds as well as the
burned areas within the Ashland area were originally
3.01
6.90
11.35
Average 6.55
8,275.2
6,387.2
5.600.0
Total 20,262.4
17,647.9
17,533.5
17.760.7
Average 17,643.0
mapped by Bass (1932). Two small strippable coal de-
posits within the Ashland coal deposit were mapped by
Brown and others (1954, p. 196) and described as the
Home Creek and Cook Creek deposits. These two strip-
pable areas were also included in a report on the strip-
pable coal resources of Montana by Ayler, Smith, and
Deutman (1969).
LAND OWNERSHIP
Most of the surface over the Ashland coal deposit is
privately owned. The deposit lies within the land grant to
Burlington Northern, Inc., and although it has conveyed
the surface, the railroad has retained most minerals in-
cluding coal in the odd-numbered sections outside the
Custer National Forest. The State of Montana owns both
surface and coal in sec. 16 and 36 of each township. Some
coal along the tributaries of Otter Creek, including the
East Fork of Otter Creek and Home Creek, is privately
owned. The federal land outside the forest is administered
by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and that within
the Custer National Forest by the US. Forest Service.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The most prominent surface feature in the Ashland
area is the great mass of clinker formed by the burning
of the Knobloch coal bed. In many places, the clinker is
more than 100 feet thick. Along Otter Creek and its tribu-
taries, the clinker forms high steep-sided banks and cliffs
of reddish or multicolored altered rock, which supports
the growth of ponderosa pine. The multicolored clinker,
-------
Table 40.-Proximate analysis, form* of sulfur, and heating value, Ashland coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7061
3SR45ES14
CBAB
SH-7062
3S R4SE S26
DBAC
SH-7067
3SR45ES12
AABD
Depth
sampled
72 to
80ft.
Ill to
117ft.
117 to
121 ft.
60 to
68ft.
68 to
76ft.
76 to
85 ft.
85 to
94ft.
94 to
103 ft.
103to
112ft
112 to
1 16 ft.
101 to
lllft.
Hlto
119ft.
119 to
127 ft.
127 to
136ft.
136 to
144 ft.
144 to
153 ft.
153 to
154 ft.
Lab.
number
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
Coal
bed
Knobloch
Knobloch
Knobloch
Form of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Proximate. %
i
/ Moisture
30.050
28.400
29.280
27.630
26.560
26.020
27.040
25.700
27.250
28.220
29.470
28.200
28.120
28.860
28.620
28.520
29.440
Volatile
matter
28.655
40.966
43.488
28.777
40.191
42.691
26.512
37.489
40.883
30.525
42.179
45.105
31.255
42.559
45.158
29.107
39.345
42.502
29.232
40.065
42.189
30.066
40.465
43.929
30.513
41.942
44.436
29.488
41.081
43.646
28.253
40.058
42.511
29.082
40.504
43.217
29.660
41.263
44.082
27.862
39.165
43.309
27.997
39.223
42.670
28.362
39.679
42.378
26.880
38.096
41.815
Fixed
carbon
37.237
53.234
56.512
38.631
53.954
57.309
38.336
54.208
59.117
37.150
51.333
54.895
37.957
51.685
54.842
39.376
53.226
57.498
40.055
54.900
57.811
38.376
51.650
56.071
38.154
52.445
55.564
38.073
53.041
56.354
38.208
54.173
57.489
38.211
53.219
56.783
37.624
52.343
55.918
36.471
51.267
56.691
37.616
52.698
57.330
38.565
53.952
57.622
37.404
53.010
58.185
Ash
4.057
5.801
4.192
5.855
5.872
8.303
4.695
6.488
4.228
5.757
5.497
7.430
3.673
5.035
5.858
7.884
4.083
5.613
4.220
5.879
4.069
5.769
4.507
6.278
4.596
6.394
6.807
9.568
5.767
8.079
4.553
6.369
6.275
8.894
Form oL sulfur. %
Sulfur
.142
.204
.216
.169
.236
.251
.191
.270
.294
.133
.183
.196
.117
.160
.170
.160
.216
.234
.131
.180
.189
.159
.214
.232
.115
.158
.168
.239
.333
.354
.119
.168
.178
.106
.148
.158
.119
.165
.177
.132
.185
.205
.109
.153
.167
.163
.228
.243
.450
.638
.701
Sulfate
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.017
.023
.024
.017
.023
.024
.000
.000
.000
.016
.022
.024
.026
.036
.039
.016
.023
.024
.017
.024
.025
.008
.011
.012
.016
.023
.024
.016
.022
.024
.008
.012
.013
.016
.022
.024
.009
.012
.013
.008
.011
.012
Pyritic
.016
.023
.024
.017
.024
.025
.024
.034
.037
.017
.023
.024
.017
.023
.024
.008
.011
.012
.016
.022
.024
.044
.059
.064
.016
.023
.024
.017
.024
.025
.016
.022
.024
.016
.023
.024
.016
.022
.024
.025
.035
.038
.016
.022
.024
.017
.024
.026
.070
.099
.109
Organic
.127
.181
.192
.152
.212
.226
.167
.236
.258
.099
.137
.147
.084
.114
.121
.152
.205
.221
.098
.135
.142
.088
.119
.129
.082
.113
.120
.205
.286
.303
.095
.134
.143
.074
.103
.109
.087
.121
.130
.099
.139
.154
.078
.109
.119
.137
.192
'373
.'528
.580
Heating
value (Bui)
8275
11829
12558
8576
11978
12723
8226
11631
12685
8431
11650
12458
8759
11927
12655
8591
11612
12544
8704
11930
12562
8758
11787
12796
8642
11879
12586
8643
12041
12793
8395
11903
12632
8536
11888
12684
8495
11818
12625
8242
11586
12812
8337
11680
12707
9070
12689
13552
8216
11643
12780
Vt
w
Z
3
>
CO
w
o
co
O
C
H
*T*
s
CA
p]
z
o
Z
H
6
£*
-------
SH-7068
3SR45ES10
BDDC
SH-7071
3S R45E S8
ABBC
SH-7064
3S R46E S8
CACC
SH-7066
2S R45E S36
CDCD
SH-7070
2S R4SE S21
CBDA
115 to
125 ft.
125 to
134ft.
134 to
142 ft.
142 to
152 ft.
152 to
160ft.
160 to
164 ft.
139 to
147 ft.
147 to
157 ft.
157 to
165 ft.
165 to
169 ft.
90 to
97ft.
97 to
100 ft.
82 to
92ft.
152 to
162 ft
Knobloch
295
296
297
298
299
300
302
303
304
305
283
284
286
301
Knobloch
Sawyer
Sawyer
Sawyer
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
30.180
31.070
32.350
30.980
32.070
32.030
26.730
27.640
28.730
26.160
28.698
41.103
43.841
27.610
40.055
42.857
27.269
40.308
43.081
27.152
39.339
42.711
26.572
39.117
42.167
27.882
41.021
44.361
30.459
41.570
44.131
29.963
41.409
44.346
29.884
41.931
44.595
30.526
41.340
44.604
36.762
52.652
56.159
36.813
53.407
57.143
36.028
53.257
56.919
36.419
52.766
57.289
36.445
53.651
57.833
34.970
51.449
55.639
38.559
52.626
55.869
37.604
51.968
55.654
37.128
52.095
55.405
37.911
51.342
55.396
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
31.490
31.540
31.610
32.910
28.978
42.297
44.938
33.051
48.278
52.927
28.117
41.112
44.127
30.161
44.957
48.510
35.506
51.827
55.062
29.396
42.939
47.073
35.601
52.056
55.873
32.014
47.718
51.490
4.360
6.245
4.507
6.538
4.353
6.435
5.449
7.895
4.913
7.232
5.118
7.530
4.252
5.803
4.793
6.623
4.258
5.974
5.403
7.317
4.026
5.876
6.013
8.783
4.672
6.832
4.914
7.325
.130
.186
.198
.114
.165
.176
.136
.201
.215
.143
.207
.224
.158
.233
.251
.232
.342
.370
.113
.154
.164
.104
.144
.154
.113
.158
.168
.146
.198
.214
.352
.514
.546
.916
1.338
1.467
.297
.435
.467
.400
.597
.644
.000
.000
.000
.015
.022
.024
.023
.034
.036
.008
.011
.012
.008
.012
.013
.008
.012
.013
.008
.011
.012
.008
.011
.012
.008
.011
.012
.008
.011
.012
.015
.022
.024
.017
.025
.027
.015
.022
.024
.008
.012
.013
.024
.035
.037
.015
.022
.024
.060
.089
.096
.040
.057
.062
.024
.035
.038
.008
.012
.013
.024
.033
.035
.016
.022
.024
.040
.056
.060
.008
.011
.012
.015
.022
.024
.221
.322
.353
.008
.011
.012
.086
.129
.139
.105
.151
.161
.083
.121
.129
.053
.078
.084
.095
.138
.150
.127
.186
.201
.216
.318
.344
.081
.110
.117
.080
.111
.118
.064
.090
.096
.130
.176
.190
.321
.469
.499
.678
.991
1.087
.274
.401
.431
.306
.456
.492
8196
11739
12521
8047
11674
12490
7981
11798
12609
8004
11596
12590
7671
11293
12173
7893
11612
12558
8800
12010
12750
8645
11947
12795
8564
12017
12780
8655
11721
12646
7965
11627
12353
7740
11306
12394
8015
11720
12579
7814
11646
12567
5
o
5
6
c
r
w
T)
O
3
I
t/1
X
r
•2.
O
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 41.-Major ash constituents, Ashland coal deposit.
Coal
Constituent, %
and location
SH-7061
3S 45E S14
CBAB
SH-7062
3S 45E S26
DBAC
SH-7067
3S45ES12
AABD
SH-7068
3S 45E S10
BDDC
SH-7071
3S 45E S8
ABBC
SH-7064
3S46ES8
CACC
SH-7066
2S 45E S36
CDCD
SH-7070
2S4SES21
CBDA
sampled sample bed AljO3 CaO FejOj K3O MgO NaaO P2OS SiOj SO3 TiOj Total
Knobloch 21.2 27.1 4.3 .2 3.8 8.4 .6 26.9 6.1 .6 99.2
72 to
80 ft. 273
lllto 17.6 21.5 3.8 2 3.1 6.2 .1 37.9 6.5 .7 97.6
121 ft. 274-275
Knobloch 18.1 23.8 3.4 .1 6.1 3.2 .1 34.1 7.9 .7 97.5
60 to
116ft. 276-282
Knobloch 17.2 20.1 4.1 .4 3.1 7.6 .3 36.4 8.0 .7 97.9
101 to
154 ft. 287-293
Knobloch 18.7 19.0 4.1 .2 2.8 8.2 _S 33.3 8.0 .7 95 J
115 to
164 ft. 295-300
Knobloch 20.3 23.8 4.3 .3 3.8 6.3 .3 31.9 5.4 .8 97.2
139 to
169 ft. 302-305
Sawyer 12.4 19.7 7.3 .3 4.2 10.2 23 20.5 20.0 J 97.4
90 to
100 ft. 283-284
Sawyer 18.0 18.8 5.5 .6 3.1 11.8 1.4 25.9 11.8 J 97.4
82 to
92 ft. 286
Sawyer 16.6 18.5 7.1 .4 315 10.5 1.7 22.1 14.9 J 95.8
152 to
162 ft. 301
s
a
3
0
5
0
o
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09
O
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3
£
H
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2
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-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—ASHLAND
75
the large terrace levels above the river valleys, which sup-
port thin stands of ponderosa pine, and the barren buttes
in the background present picturesque scenery.
The surface in the Ashland coal field is deeply dissect-
ed along the valleys of Otter Creek, the East Fork of
Otter Creek, and Home Creek. Beyond and above the
clinkered areas, the surface is rolling and supports the
growth of native grasses. The divide between Otter Creek
and Pumpkin Creek to the east is sharp and is covered
with ponderosa pine.
The flood plain of Otter Creek is about % of a mile
wide in the Ashland area. Flood plains of Home Creek
and East Fork of Otter Creek are about % of a mile wide.
In T. 2 S., R. 44 and 45 E., the tributaries of the Tongue
River are relatively short and steep and head in the Cook
Mountains; these mountains form a high divide, which
separates the East Fork of Otter Creek from Beaver Creek
to the north.
The principal land use within the Ashland coal field is
livestock grazing. Hay is raised as a principal crop in the
meadows along the valley bottoms of Otter Creek, its
tributaries, and Tongue River. Some grain is cultivated on
the rolling terrain above the rugged topography developed
on the clinker. Lumbering is limited to the ponderosa
pine stands growing on the higher ground surrounding
Ashland.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Ashland coal field are nearly flat.
Along the East Fork of Otter Creek, the dip is about 20
feet per mile to the southwest. In T. 2 S., R- 44 and 45 E..
the dip is about 40 feet per mile to the south as shown by
drill hole data of the Sawyer coal bed. Some reversals do
occur, and one of these, near the center of T. 2 S., R. 45 E.,
coincides with the topographic high of the Cook Moun-
tains.
COAL BEDS
The Knobloch and Sawyer coal beds both contain
strippable reserves in the Ashland coal deposit. The Knob-
loch, ranging in thickness from 40 to 58 feet, is the more
important. To the north, in T. 2 S., R. 44 and 45 E., it is 40
to 50 feet thick, but farther south, in T. 3 S., R. 45 and
46 E., it is 50 to 58 feet thick.
The Sawyer coal bed, about 11>5 feet above the Knob-
loch bed, is about 10 feet thick as measured in drill holes
SH-7064, sec. 8, T. 3 S., R. 46 E.. and SH-7070, sec. 21,
T. 2 S., R. 45 E. In this latter drill hole, an upper bench
6 feet thick may be the C or D bed described by Bass
(1932, p. 55). A surface mine in sec. 3, T. 3 S., R. 45 E., is
producing from the Sawyer coal bed. Near the mine, in
drill hole SH-7066, sec. 36, T. 2 S., R. 45 E., the Sawyer
coal bed has a measured thickness of 14 feet.
Other beds that are minable in the northeastern part
of the area (PI. 13B) are the C and D coal beds, which
have a combined thickness as great as 11 feet, and the A
bed, which has a thickness of 9 feet. Sections of the Saw-
yer bed, the A bed about 80 feet below it, and the D bed
about 220 feet above it, were measured by Bass (1932).
Two other beds in the area may correlate with the
Flowers-Goodale and Terret beds described by Bass (1932,
p. 53). Both are below the Knobloch bed; the upper bed
has a thickness of 8 feet in drill hole SH-7067 in sec. 12,
T. 3 S., R. 45 E. The gamma log of an oil well in the
NE& sec. 28, T. 3 S., R. 45 E., shows a coal bed at an alti-
tude of 2,973 feet, which is very near the same as the bed
below the Knobloch in drill hole SH-7067. The gamma
log shows a 3-foot bench separated by an 8-foot parting
from a 6-foot bench. A lower bed, at an altitude of 2,844
feet, has a thickness of 6 feet.
COAL QUALITY
Only one earlier report of analysis of coal from this
area is available; that sample was obtained from the Coal
Creek mine in sec. 3, T. 3 S., R. 45 E. In this analysis, the
moisture content is 30%, volatile matter is 29.3%, fixed
carbon is 35.8%, ash content is 4.9%, sulfur content is
0.5%, hydrogen content is 6.5%, carbon content is 48.6%,
nitrogen content is 0.7%, oxygen content is 38.8%, and
the heating value is 8,160 Btu.
Thirty-one core samples obtained from the Ashland
coal field on this project were analyzed by the Montana
Bureau of Mines and Geology analytical laboratory. Prox-
imate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value are
shown in Table 40, and major ash constituents are shown
in Table 41.
COAL RESERVES
The Knobloch coal bed contains large strippable re-
serves. The areas of greatest potential are along the East
Fork of Otter Creek and along Home Creek, where the
Knobloch bed is thickest and the terrain is most favorable
to strip mining.
Strippable reserves in the Knobloch coal bed total
2,696,200,000 tons and in the A, C, and Sawyer coal
beds 357,490,000 tons (Table 19).
-------
76
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Table 42.—Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Colstrip coal deposit.
ROSEBUD BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
523.86
457.43
457.97
Total 1,439.26
646.4
1,281.06
2.146.19
Total 4,073.65
1.23
2.8
4,69
Average 2.83
Total
12,143.7
10,589.3
10.646.1
33,379.1
43,137.4
43,198.5
43.017.8
Average 43,118.6
COLSTRIP COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Colstrip coal deposit (PI. 14) is in T. 1 and 2 N.,
R. 38, 39,40,41, and 42 E., and T. 1 S., R. 40 and 41 E.,
Rosebud and Treasure Counties. The community of Col-
strip, in sec. 34, T. 2 N., R. 41 E., had a population of 304
in 1960. As a result of expanded mining operations and
construction of two new 350-megawatt power plants just
east of Colstrip, the population has increased dramati-
cally. The Montana Power Company purchased the com-
munity of Colstrip, along with mining leases and mining
equipment, from Burlington Northern, Inc., in 1959.
Western Energy Company, a subsidiary of The Montana
Power Company, operates the Rosebud mine near Colstrip
and ships the coal by unit train to The Montana Power
Company 180-megawatt steam generation plant at Billings
and to markets in the upper Midwest.
Another strip mine a few miles south of Colstrip is the
Big Sky mine, opened in 1969 and operated by Peabody
Coal Company. Coal from this mine is being shipped by
unit train to northern Minnesota for use in power gener-
ation.
Surface mining in the Colstrip area began in 1924,
when the Northwestern Improvement Company opened
the pit in the Rosebud coal bed near Colstrip to supply
coal for locomotives of the parent Northern Pacific (now
Burlington Northern, Inc.). The mine operated until the
mid 50's but closed when coal was no longer needed for
steam locomotives. Western Energy Company reopened
the Colstrip mine in 1968.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the Colstrip area was conducted en-
tirely by the staff of Burlington Northern, Inc., under
the supervision of Virgil W. Carmichael in 1964, using
the method developed by Burlington Northern (Carmi-
chael, 1967). The field method involved establishing tem-
porary benchmarks throughout the area and obtaining
vertical control through the use of closely controlled al-
timeter surveys. Holes were drilled and cores were taken
to obtain quantitative and qualitative information on the
coal and to obtain structural information for preparation
of overburden maps. A few of the 69 drill holes pene-
trated the underlying McKay coal bed.
The overburden map for the Colstrip area was com-
pleted during the winter of 1964-65 by Burlington North-
ern personnel.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
Geology in the Colstrip area was mapped and described
by Dobbin (1929) and by Kepferle (1954). Ayler, Smith,
and Deutman (1969) included the area in their report on
the strippable coal resources in Montana.
LAND OWNERSHIP
The coal field lies within the land grant of odd-
numbered sections to Burlington Northern, Inc., who ob-
tained possession of additional land in T. 1 and 2 N., R. 39,
41, and 42 E. Burlington Northern has sold some of its
surface and minerals to The Montana Power Company
but has retained title to much of the surface in the Col-
strip area. The Federal Government owns the coal in the
even-numbered sections in the Colstrip area except for
sec. 16 and 36 in each township, which are owned by the
State of Montana.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Colstrip coal deposit is on the divide between
Rosebud Creek to the east and Armells Creek. Most of
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—COLSTRIP
77
the divide is gently rolling, but near the northern and
eastern edges of the mapped area, it is relatively stee-p
and deeply dissected where the clinker forms a resistant
multicolored zone. Farther west, buttes and ridges ate
capped by clinker from the burning of higher coal beds.
Armells Creek is an intermittent stream of gentle gradien';,
and flows only during periods of heavy precipitation and
spring runoff. In the southern part of the mapped are j,
the valleys are steep sided where the Sawyer coal bed,
which lies above the Rosebud bed, has burned and tr e
clinker caps the ridges between the valleys of Coal Bank
Creek, Miller Creek, and Cooley Creek. To the west, the
Little Wolf Mountains form a high divide between
Armells Creek and Sarpy Creek.
Ponderosa pine trees grow along the valley sides
throughout the area. Part of the valley of Armells Creek
is utilized for dry-land farming. Hay is raised in meadow*
along the valley bottoms.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the coal field are almost horizontal, ex-
cept where disturbed by a few faults, which have only
small displacement. Generally the top of the Rosebud
coal bed is highest in T. 2 N., R. 39 E., and lowest in
T. 1 N., R. 41 E.
COAL BEDS
The principal coal beds in the Colstrip area are the
Rosebud and the McKay beds. Thickness of the Rosebud
bed is a maximum of 29 feet in drill hole RB-43, sec. 27,
T. 1 N., R. 41 E., and averages about 25 feet throughout
the area. In certain parts of the coal field, the Rosebud
contains a parting in the center or upper quarter of the
coal bed, and in some areas, this parting attains a thick-
ness of as much as 2 feet.
The McKay coal bed is 18 feet below the Rosebud in
drill hole RB-48, sec. 13, T, 1 N., R. 41 E., and 61 feet in
drill hole RB-58, sec. 5, T. 1 N., R. 41 E. Thickness of the
McKay bed averages about 8 feet. Three thinner coal beds
in the Tongue River Member below the Rosebud and
McKay coal beds have been mapped in the area (Dobbin,
1929). The Stocker Creek coal bed (0 to 12 feet thick) is
about 40 feet below the top of the McKay, the Robinson
coal bed (0 to 8 feet thick) is about 140 feet below the
top of the Stocker Creek bed, and the Burley coal bed (0
to 5 feet thick) is about 60 feet below the Robinson coal
bed. A still lower coal bed, the Big Dirty, is about 250
feet below the Burley oed, but it is in the Lebo Shale
Member of the Fort Union Formation. It crops out next
to the road about 10 miles north of the community of
Colstrip. Several coal beds above the Rosebud bed crop
out in the Little Wolf Mountains; these include the Lee,
Popham, Sawyer, Proctor, and Richard coal beds. The
clinker formed as a result of the burning of the Sawyer
bed, which is about 300 feet above the Rosebud, caps
buttes and ridgetops throvghout the area.
COAL QUALITY
Nineteen coal cores obtained on the Colstrip drilling
project were analyzed by US. Bureau of Mines Grand
Forks Coal Research Laboratory. Proximate analysis, ul-
timate analysis, and heating value are shown in Table 43,
and forms of sulfur and ash fusibility are shown in Table
44.
All core samples are of the Rosebud coal except three
samples of the McKay.
COAL RESERVES
Reserves in the Colstrip deposit total 1.439.260.000
tons (Table 42).
-------
Table 43.-Proximate analysis, ultimate analysU, and heating value, CoUtrip coal deposit.
co
Drill hole
and location
RB-46
1N41ES15
CDDD
RB-54
IN 40E S27
AABA
RB-S5
IN 40E S23
Depth Lab.
sampled number
RB-S6
1N41ES30
BDAD
RB-57
1N40ES11
BABB
RB-58
IN 41E SS
CAAB
RB-S9
2N41ES31
ADAD
54 to
87ft.
100 to
108 ft.
145 to
170 ft.
77 to
101ft.
80 to
56% to
77H ft.
138 to
146% ft.
71 to
81ft.
H-97821
H-97822
H-97823
H-97824
27V4to
53 ft. H-97825
H-97826
H-97827
H-97828
H-97829
Coal
bed
Rosebud
McKay
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
McKay
McKay
Form of
1,
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Proximate, %
Moisture
21.51
21.76
23.40
21.48
22.58
23.14
23.07
24.45
22.23
Volatile
matter
29.71
37.86
42.56
27.88
35.63
39.55
28.63
37.38
41.65
29.46
37.53
44.69
28.80
il.M
41.91
29.58
38.48
43.27
28.43
36.96
41.49
27.89
36.91
40.39
28.78
37.00
41.12
Fixed
carbon
40.11
51.09
57.44
42.61
54.47
60.45
40.11
52.36
58.35
36.48
46.44
55.31
39.92
51.57
58.09
38.77
50.45
56.73
40.11
52.13
58.51
41.16
54.49
59.61
41.20
52.98
58.88
Ash
8.67
11.05
7.75
9.90
7.86
10.26
12.58
16.03
8.70
lt.23
8.51
11.07
8.39
10.91
6.50
8.60
7.79
10.02
S
0.77
0.99
1.11
1.87
2.39
2.65
0.68
0.89
0.99
0.75
0.95
1.13
0.97
1.26
1.42
.68
.89
1.00
0.99
1.28
1.44
1.41
1.86
2.04
1.23
1.58
1.75
H
5.97
4.55
5.12
5.76
4.27
4.74
6.11
4.58
5.11
5.66
4.17
4.96
6.04
4.56
5.13
6.08
4.57
5.14
6.02
4.49
5.04
6.10
4.48
4.90
5.88
4.39
4.88
Ultimate,
C
53.12
67.67
76.08
53.07
67.83
75.29
52.62
68.69
76.55
49.42
62.95
74.96
52.45
67.75
76.32
51.85
67.46
75.86
52.36
68.06
76.40
52.50
69.48
76.03
52.83
67.93
75.49
%
N
0.79
1.01
1.13
0.79
1.01
1.12
0.80
1.04
1.16
.72
.92
1.09
.81
1.04
1.17
.82
1.06
1.19
0.80
1.04
1.17
0.81
1.08
1.18
.92
1.19
1.32
Heating
O value (Btu)
30.68
14.73
16.56
30.76
14.60
16.20
31.93
14.54
16.19
30.87
14.98
17.86
31.03
14.16
15.96
32.06
14.95
16.81
31.44
14.22
15.95
32.68
14.50
15.85
31.35
14.89
16.56
9090
11580
13010
9060
11580
12850
9050
11810
13160
8400
10700
12740
9060
11710
13190
8950
11650
13100
8920
11590
13010
8930
11820
12930
8980
11550
12830
w
13
S3
S
w
o
o
r
M
O
g
W
&
i
2
1
£
2
-------
RB-60
2N41ES31
BCDC
RB-61
1N40ES3
BCCC
RB-63
2N 40E S32
ABCD
RB-64
2N 39E S34
ABCD
RB-65
2N 39E S29
CCCC
RB-66
2N38ES13
CAAB
RB-67
IN 40E S9
CCBC
RB-68
IN 40E S4
DADA
RB-69
1N40ES5
CBBC
73 to
99% ft. H-97830
72 to
97% ft. H-97831
80 to
100% ft.
100% to
108 ft.
52 to
78ft.
86 to
112% ft.
89 to
115 ft.
73 to
100ft.
H-97832
H-97833
35% to
60 ft. H-97834
115 to
142% ft. H-97835
H-97836
H-97837
H-97838
H-97839
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
22.20
21.98
23.76
21.31
22.59
22.96
20.24
22.67
23.88
23.23
29.99
38.55
43.52
29.68
38.04
42.87
28.16
36.94
41.91
27.53
34.99
44.21
29.38
37.96
42.62
29.68
38.52
43.18
30.21
37.87
44.04
28.71
37.12
42.25
28.99
38.09
42.63
28.77
37.48
42.67
38.92
50.02
56.48
39.53
50.67
57.13
39.03
51.20
58.09
34.74
44.15
55.79
39.56
51.10
57.38
39.06
50.70
56.82
38.38
48.12
55.96
39.24
50.76
57.75
39.01
51.25
57.37
38.66
50.35
57.33
8.89
11.43
8.81
11.29
9.05
11.86
16.42
20.86
8.47
10.94
8.30
10.78
11.17
14.01
9.38
12.12
8.12
10.66
9.34
12.17
1.00
1.29
1.45
1.07
1.37
1.54
0.53
0.70
0.79
7.20
9.15
11.56
0.82
1.06
1.19
0.81
1.05
1.18
0.68
0.85
0.99
0.91
1.18
1.34
0.74
0.97
1.09
0.95
1.24
1.41
6.01
4.56
5.15
5.93
4.48
5.05
6.03
4.45
5.05
5.41
3.87
4.89
6.04
4.56
5.12
6.11
4.62
5.18
5.76
4.40
5.11
5.97
4.48
5.10
6.17
4.63
5.18
6.04
4.50
5.13
52.25
67.15
75.82
52.48
67.26
75.82
50.82
66.65
75.62
43.63
55.45
70.06
52.70
68.08
76.45
52.47
68.11
76.34
51.81
64.95
75.53
51.10
66.09
75.20
51.75
67.99
76.10
51.54
67.13
76.43
0.81
1.04
1.18
0.78
1.00
1.13
0.79
1.03
1.17
0.71
0.91
1.15
0.79
1.03
1.15
0.78
1.02
1.14
0.79
0.99
1.15
0.82
1.06
1.21
0.79
1.04
1.16
0.77
1.00
1.14
31.04
14.53
16.40
30.93
14.60
16.46
32.78
15.31
17.37
26.63
9.76
12.34
31.18
14.33
16.09
31.53
14.42
16.16
29.79
14.80
17.22
31.82
15.07
17.15
32.43
14.71
16.47
31.36
13.96
15.89
8990
11550
13050
9020
11560
13030
8680
11380
12920
7810
9930
12550
8990
11610
13030
9010
11700
13110
8820
11050
12850
8840
11430
13000
8940
11740
13140
8800
11470
13060
z
o
^
D
G
r
M
§
o
Cfi
N*
09
^
o
E
H
•0
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 44.-Formi of sulfur and fusibility of ash, Colstrip coal deposit.
Drillhole
and location
Depth Lab.
sampled number
Coal Form of
bed analysis / Sulfur
Form of sulfur. %
Sulfate
Pyritic
Fusibility of ash. F
Organic
Initial Real
deformation Softening Fluid specific
temp. temp. temp. gravity
RB46
1N41ESI5
CDDD
RB-54
IN 40E S27
AABA
RB-55
IN 40E S23
BDDB
RB-S6
IN 41E S30
BDAD
RB-57
1N40ES11
BABB
RB-58
IN 41E SS
CAAB
RB-5<>
2N 41E S31
ADAD
54 to
87 ft.
100 to
108 ft.
56% to.
77% ft.
138 to
146% ft.
H-97821
H-97822
145 to
170 ft. H-97823
77 to
101 ft. H-97824
27% to
53 ft. H-97825
80 to
107% ft. H-97826
H-97827
H-97828
Rosebud
McKay
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
McKay
McKay
71 to
81 ft. H-97829
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
0.77
0.99
1.11
1.87
2.39
2.65
0.68
0.89
0.99
0.75
0.95
1.13
0.97
1.23
1.42
.68
.89
1.00
0.99
1.28
1.44
1.41
1.86
2.04
1.23
1.58
1.75
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.07
0.07
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.35
0.45
0.50
1.54
1.97
2.19
0.58
0.75
0.84
1.09
1.45
1.58
0.40
0.51
0.57
0.27
0.35
0.39
0.39
0.50
0.56
0.27
0.36
0.40
2340
2080
2160
2160
2380 2420
2120 2150
2200 2240
2200 2230
1.50
1.53
2370
2100
2420 2470
2150 2210
o
o
CO
o
1
*
a
i
1.51
1.51
2100
2150 2200
-------
RB-60
2N41ES31
BCDC
RB-61
IN 40E S3
BCCC
RB-63
2N 40E S32
ABCD
RB-64
2N 39E S34
ABCD
RB-65
2N 39E S29
CCCC
RB-66
2N 38E S13
CAAB
RB-67
IN 40ES9
CCBC
RB-68
1N 40E S4
DADA
RB-69
IN 40E S5
CBBC
73 to
99% ft. H-97830
72 to
97% ft. H-97831
80 to
100% ft. H-97832
100% ft.
108 ft. H-97833
35% to
60 ft. H-97834
115 to
142% ft.
52 to
78ft.
89 to
115 ft.
73 to
100 ft.
H-97835
H-97836
86 to
112% ft. H-97837
H-97838
H-97839
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
Rosebud
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
1.00
1.29
1.45
1.07
1.37
1.54
0.53
0.70
0.79
7.20
9.15
11.56
0.82
1.06
1.19
0.81
1.05
1.18
0.68
0.85
0.99
0.91
1.18
1.34
0.74
0.97
1.09
0.95
1.24
1.41
0.03 0.13 0.37
0.04 0.17 0.49
0.04 0.20 0.56
0.29 5.86 1.04
0.37 7.45 1.33
0.47 9.42 1.68
2100 2150 2200
2050 2110 2160
2240
2020
2280
2060
2320
2100
1.51
1.70
2
O
O
C
>
2140
2150
2420
2240
2180
2130
2180
2200
2470
2220
2300
2520
o
U)
A
o
r
CD
H
2280 2320
2230 2300
2170 2210
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
oo
-------
82
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Table 45.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Pumpkin Greek coal deposit.
SAWYER BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
200 to 250
Total
560.0
760.8
647.2
428.8
29.7
2,426.5
Total
781.6
1,820.2
2^80.2
2^14.8
191.9
7,888.7
1.39
2.39
3.98
5.86
6.46
10,726.4
14,323.2
11,685.4
8,416.0
544.0
Average 3.25 Total 45,695.0 Average
52,209.6
53,117.4
55,387.2
50,950.6
54.595.6
53,102.1
PUMPKIN CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Pumpkin Creek coal deposit (PI. 15) is in T. 2, 3,
and 4 S., R. 48 and 49 E., Powder River County. U.S.
Highway 212 traverses the northern part of T. 4 S.,
R. 49 E., and the southern part of T. 3 S., R. 48 E. The
Pumpkin Creek coal deposit adjoins the Sonnette coal de-
posit (PI. 25) to the south, the Broadus coal deposit (PI.
18) to the east, the Little Pumpkin Creek coal deposit
(PI. 27) to the northwest, the Threemile Buttes coal de-
posit (PI. 24) to the southwest, and the Foster Creek coal
deposit (PI. 16) to the north.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
All of the field work resulting in the present map of
Pumpkin Creek coal deposit was done by the Mineral
Development Division of Burlington Northern, Inc., dur-
ing the summer of 1965. Evaluation of the data was com-
pleted late in 1966. The field method utilized was de-
veloped by Burlington Northern, Inc. (Carmichael, 1967)
for areas where adequate topographic maps were not
available. Temporary benchmarks for topographic control
were established by leveling and then served as base sta-
tions for altimeter surveys. Altimeter elevations along
with coal outcrops, clinker, and contacts between burned
areas and unburned areas were plotted on aerial photos,
as were the holes that were drilled to measure coal thick-
ness and depth. Cores were taken for analyses of coal
quality.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The western part of T. 2 and 3 S., R. 48 E., of the Pump-
kin Creek coal deposit was mapped by Bass (1932). The
eastern part, T. 2 and 3 S., R. 49 and 50 E., was mapped by
Bryson (1952). The southern part, in T. 4 S., R. 48 and
49 E., was mapped by Warren (1959). A report titled
"Pumpkin Creek Lignite Deposit, Powder River County,
Montana", was presented to the University of Idaho as a
thesis (Carmichael, 1967). The Pumpkin Creek deposit
was also included in reports on strippable coal (Brown
and others, 1954, p. 186-190; Ayler, Smith, and Deutman,
1969).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Pumpkin Creek coal deposit lies within the limits
of the land grant of odd-numbered sections to Burlington
Northern, Inc. The railroad has conveyed much of the
surface but still owns the coal. The State of Montana
owns both the surface and the coal in sec. 16 and 36 of
each township. The surface of a few scattered tracts is
still owned by the Federal Government as is most of the
coal, but a small amount of coal along the Pumpkin Creek
valley is privately owned. The western edge of the Pump-
kin Creek coal deposit is bordered by the Custer National
Forest and is under the administrative supervision of the
U.S. Forest Service.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The most prominent surface feature is the Pumpkin
Creek valley, which trends slightly east of north from the
center of T.3 S..R.48E., through T. 2 S., R.48 E. In the
center of T. 3 S., R. 48 E., the valley is divided into a south-
west and a southeast branch. The southeast branch is
short and heads about 3 miles from the main valley. The
numerous tributaries on the east side of Pumpkin Creek
trend northwest and those on the west side trend south-
east. These relatively short and steep tributaries are bor-
dered by steep-sided ridges supported by the clinker pro-
duced by burning of the Sawyer coal bed.
Pumpkin Creek and its tributaries are intermittent
streams and flow only during periods of heavy precipita-
tion and spring runoff.
-------
Tible 46.-Proximmte analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value, and fusibility of ash, Pumpkin Creek coal deposit.
Proximate,
Ultimate,
Fusibility of ash. F
Drillhole
and location
PC-3
2S 49E S28
BCDD
PC-9
3S49ES15
BDBA
PC-IS
3S 49E S32
DCCC
PC-23
3S48ES21
CDCC
PC-29
3S48ES3
BCCC
Depth
sampled
68 to
73ft.
123 to
155% ft.
19 to
22ft.
104% to
130% ft.
52 to
64ft.
112 to
124 ft.
105 to
142 ft.
89 to
12 1% ft.
Coal bed & 1
lab. number i
MacUn-Walker
1-21802
Sawyer
1-21803
Macldn-Walker
1-21804
Sawyer
1-21805
Saw/or (in
1-21806
Sawyer (L)
1-21807
Sawyer
1-21808
Sawyer
1-21809
Form
maly
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
.
Volatile Fixed
U = Upper bench of Sawyer
L n Lower bench of Sawyer
analysis / Moisture matter carbon Ash H
28.84
31.13
30.52
32.21
30.88
30.97
30.15
30.99
N
Heating Initial
value deformation Softening
S (Btu) temp. temp.
28.88
40.59
48.11
28.48
41.36
4^.90
29.81
42.91
47.12
28.01
41.33
46.19
28.69
41.51
4C Of
27.44
39.75
46.47
28.29
40.50
46.07
28.40
41.16
45.54
31.15
43.77
51.89
33.58
48.75
54.10
33.46
48.16
52.88
32.64
48.14
53.81
33.89
49.03
54.15
31.60
45.78
53.53
33.11
47.40
53.93
33.97
49.22
54.46
11.13
15.64
6.81
9.89
6.21
8.93
7.14
10.53
6.54
9.46
9.99
14.47
8.45
12.10
6.64
9.62
6.26
4.29
5.08
6.51
4.44
4.93
6.55
4.55
5.00
6.58
4.41
4.93
6.43
4.34
4.79
6.39
4.28
5.00
6.37
4.32
4.92
6.49
4.41
4.88
43.33
60.90
72.18
44.78
65.02
72.16
45.73
65.81
72.27
44.14
65.11
72.78
45.27
65.49
72.34
42.71
61.87
72.34
45.18
64.68
73.59
45.51
65.95
72.97
.76
1.07
1
.27
.74
1.07
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.19
.85
.23
.35
.74
.10
.23
.82
.18
.31
1 S
. ru
.11
.29
.77
.10
.26
.74
.07
.19
37.34
16.44
19.50
40.86
19.15
21.24
39.76
18.18
19.96
40.98
18.23
20.37
40.63
19.08
21.07
39.80
17.76
20.77
38.78
17.15
19.49
40.38
18.61
20.58
1.18
1.66
1.97
.30
.43
.48
.90
1.30
1.42
.42
.62
.69
.31
.45
.49
35
.51
.60
.45
.65
.74
.24
.34
.38
7310
10270
12180
7490
10880
12080
7720
11110
12200
7370
10870
12150
7510
10870
12000
7140
1034U
12090
7550
10810
12300
7570
10970
12140
1990
2250
2410
2190
2210
2080
2080
2140
2040
2300
2460
2240
2260
2140
2120
2190
Fluid
temp.
2080
2350
2S20
2320
2310
2190
2160
2270
Real
specific
gravity
1.59
1.54
1.53
1.55
1.56
1.60
l.Si
1.55
2
o
o
p
D
i
CO
H
O
jo
n
n
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
oo
-------
84
STRIPPABLE COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
The low rolling divide between Pumpkin Creek and
Mizpah Creek to the east trends north through the cen-
ter of T. 2 and 3 S., R. 49 E. Tributaries on the west side
of Mizpah Creek trend southeast as do those of Pumpkin
Creek.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing.
Hay is raised along the flood plains of Pumpkin Creek,
its tributaries, and Mizpah Creek. Some land is cultivated;
winter wheat and other grains are raised by dry-land farm-
ing methods.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Pumpkin Creek coal field are almost
horizontal', but a slight dip can be detected on the cross
sections. The lowest altitude of the top of the Sawyer
coal bed is measured as 3,350 feet ui drill hole US-L,
sec. 32, T. 3 S., R. 48 E. Data obtained from drilling of the
Sawyer coal bed show that the strata dip westward 12 to
20 feet per mile, although in places steeper dips are noted.
For example, the dip is southwesterly at 65 feet per mile
between drill hole PC-1 in sec. 13 ana US-C in sec. 22,
T. 2 S., R. 49 E. (Carmichael, 1967, p. 41).
Although several faults have been mapped in sec. 3,4,
17,18,32, and 33, T. 3 S., R. 49 E., none have major dis-
placement. A longer fault system, shown in the eastern
part of the mapped area, extends more than 20 miles.
COAL BEDS
All strippable reserves that have been mapped in the
Pumpkin Creek coal deposit are in the two benches of the
Sawyer coal bed (PI. 15, Section A-A')- The coal bed
called the A bed by Bass (1932, p. 54) has not been
mapped in the Pumpkin Creek coal deposit. Carmichael
(1967) explained that the A bed as defined by Bass is dis-
tinct in sec. 32, T. 1 S., R. 48 E., but combir es with the
Sawyer bed somewhere between that point and drill hole
PC-31, sec. 21, T. 2 S., R. 48 E., where the S'-awyer bed
is 31 feet thick. The Sawyer bed splits in sec. 24, T. 3 S.,
R. 48 E., where the parting is 1 foot thick in drill hole
PC-17. The parting thickens to 15 feet in drill hole PC-22
near the west line of sec. 33, T. 3 S., R. 48 E. The split is
greatest in the southeastern part of the coal deposit,
where it measured 48 feet in drill hole PC-15, sec. 32,
T. 3 S., R. 49 E. There the outcrop of the low;r bench
is prominent.
Numerous sections of the Mackin-Walker coal bed
were measured in the northern part of T. 3 S., F'.. 49 E.,
(Bryson, 1952), where the thickness ranges from 2 feet 3
inches to 3 feet 11 inches. Farther southwest, th* bed is
less than 2 feet thick and too thin to map (Bryson, 1952,
p. 85,96). The Mackin-Walker bed was named for a mine
in T. 2 S., R.49 E., where the bed is 5 feet thick (Bryson,
1952, p. 76).
COAL QUALITY
Eight cores of the Sawyer coal bed were obtained dur-
ing the field program conducted by the Mineral Develop-
ment Division of Burlington Northern, Inc., and were
analyzed by the US. Bureau of Mines, Grand Forks Coal
Research Laboratory. Proximate analysis, ultimate analy-
sis, heating value, and fusibility of ash are shown in
Table 46.
COAL RESERVES
Coal reserves in the Sawyer bed total 2,426,500,000
tors (Table 45).
FOSTER CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Foster Creek coal deposit (PI. 16A, B, and C) is in
T. 1 and 2 N.,R.46,47,and48 E., and T. 1 and 2 S., R.46,
47, and 48 £., Custer and Powder River Counties, about
35 miles south of Miles City and directly west of Volborg.
The area borders the Pumpkin Creek (PI. 15) and Little
Pumpkin Creek (PI. 27) coal deposits to the south.
FIELD METHODS AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work on the Foster Creek area was completed
during the summer of 1966 under a cooperative agree-
ment between the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
and Burlington Northern, Inc. The field work was under
the supervision of Virgil W. Carmichael of Burlington
Northern, assisted by Loren A. Williams of Burlington
Northern, and by Ernest H. Gilmour of the Montana Bur-
eau of f/Iines and Geology. Field methods were those de-
veloped by Burlington Northern, Inc.,(Carmichael, 1967).
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
Most of the Foster Creek coal deposit was included in
the U.S. Geological Survey report on the Ashland coal
field (Bass, 1932). Additional information was prepared
by Brow.i and others (1954), Gilmour and Williams
(1969), and Ayler, Smith, and Deutman (1969).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Foi ter Creek coal field lies within the land grant
to Burlington Northern, Inc. (then the Northern Pacific
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—FOSTER CREEK
Table 47.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Foster Creek coal deposit.
85
TERRET, FLOWERS-GOODALE, AND KNOBLOCH BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
0 to 60
60 to 90
90 to 120
Total
681.82
379.78
366.30
1,427.90
1,783.40
2,274.41
3427.75
Total 7,585.56
2.61
5.98
9.63
Average 5.31
Total
33,459.2
18,777.6
173472.0
69,708.8
20.377.7
20,225.1
20.964.9
Average 20,483.7
TERRET BED
Oto 60
60 to 90
90 to 120
Total
214.08
129.57
117.22
460.87
Total
682.15
941.67
1.389.77
3.013.59
3.18
7.26
11.85
12,800.0
7,776.0
6.886.4
Average 6.53 Total 27,462.4
16,725.0
16,662.8
17.021.9
Average 16.782.1
FLOWERS-GOODALE BED
Oto 60
60 to 90
90 to 120
Total
Total
355.04
514.97
713.63
1,583.64
6.662.4
4,249.6
3,532.8
Total 14,444.8
17,942.5
17,855.8
17,968.8
Average 17,924.4
KNOBLOCH BED
Oto 60
60 to 90
90 to 120
Total
746.21
817.77
1,424.35
Total 2,988.33
2.14
4.69
7.67
Average 4.22
13,996.8
6,752.0
7.052.8
Total 27,801.6
24.877.1
25,819.0
26.315.8
Average 25,470.8
Railway). Under the land grant, the railroad was given
available odd-numbered sections in an area 60 miles on
each side of the railroad right-of-way. Sec. 16 and 36 of
each township were granted to the State of Montana for
school land. The other even-numbered sections were re-
tained by the Federal Government until either home-
steaded or sold.
Burlington Northern has retained most of the mineral
rights although it has conveyed the surface ownership.
The State of Montana has retained all surface and mineral
rights. The Federal Government, although it has sold or
allowed homesteading of the surface, has retained the
mineral rights.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
Surface features in the Foster Creek coal field range
from the broad, nearly level valley of the lower reach of
Pumpkin Creek and its west tributaries, to the steep-sided
rugged ridges between drainages. The burning of the
Knobloch and Flowers-Goodale coal beds has created
clinker, which forms precipitous slopes near the ridge
lines. Foster Creek, which heads in the southern part of
T. 1 N., R.47 E., and flows northward, is an intermittent
stream and carries water only during periods of heavy
precipitation and spring runoff. Pumpkin Creek has pools
of water all year but has periods of no flow. Except
where dammed, the west tributaries of Pumpkin Creek
are dry.
-------
Table 48.-Pnndnute uutyfif, ultimate analyib, and heating value, Potter Creek coal depodt.
Drillhole
and location
FC-6
IS 48E S29
AADD
FC-11
IS 47E S3
ACAC
FC-16
1N48ES17
CABB
FC-28
1N47ES21
ACBC
FC-29
1N46ES21
BCCB
FC-32
1N47ES25
CCCC
Depth
sampled
48 to
59ft.
84 to
100 ft.
212 to
220 ft.
53 to
62ft.
37 to
38ft.
74 to
87ft.
197 to
208ft.
115 to
117ft.
118 to
121ft.
83 to
95V4 ft.
177 to
186£ ft.
Lab.
number
1-46486
1-46487
1-46488
1-46489
1-46490
1-46491
1-46492
1-46493
1-46494
1-46495
Coal
bed
Knobloch
Knobloch
Flowers-
Goodale
Terret
Lay Creek
Flowers-
Goodale
Terret
Knobloch
Flowers-
Good ale
Terret
Proximate. %
Form of
analysis '
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Volatile
/ Moisture matter
33.14 27.09
40.52
45.00
30.62 27.96
40.29
45.81
31.29 26.20
38.13
42.65
30.46 27.37
39.35
42.49
28.45 27.86
38.93
46.86
30.25 26.62
38.16
43.83
30.05 26.58
37.99
41.72
29.58 28.17
40.00
45.60
31.54 26.98
39.41
44.10
31.63 26.75
39.13
43.06
Fixed
carbon
33.11
49.52
55.00
33.06
47.66
54.19
35.23
51.27
57.35
37.03
53.25
57.51
31.58
44.14
53.14
34.11
48.91
56.17
37.12
53.08
58.28
33.60
47.71
54.40
34.21
49.96
55.90
35.38
51.75
56.94
Ash
6.66
9.96
8.36
12.05
7.28
10.60
5.14
7.40
12.11
16.93
9.02
12.93
6.25
8.93
8.65
12.29
7.27
10.63
6.24
9.12
S
0.37
0.56
0.62
0.32
0.46
0.52
0.40
0.59
0.66
0.21
0.30
0.32
0.39
0.54
0.65
0.77'
1.11
1.27
0.24
0.35
0.38
1.61
2.28
2.60
0.36
0.53
0.60
0.20
0.30
0.33
H
6.50
4.21
4.68
6.53
4.50
5.12
6.44
4.30
4.81
5.95
3.69
3.99
6.33
4.43
5.33
6.26
4.16
4.77
6.11
3.98
4.37
6.35
4.36
4.97
6.45
4.30
4.81
6.25
4.00
4.40
Ultimate. %
C
44.29
66.25
73.59
45.11
65.01
73.92
45.49
66.20
74.05
47.78
68.70
74.19
43.73
61.11
73.56
45.07
64.62
74.22
47.59
68.04
74.71
46.36
65.84
75.05
44.96
65.67
73.48
46.16
67.52
74.30
N
0.71
1.07
1.18
0.71
1.02
1.16
0.71
1.04
1.16
0.75
1.08
1.16
0.70
0.98
1.18
0.71
1.02
1.17
0.73
1.04
1.14
0.75
1.07
1.22
0.70
1.03
1.15
0.70
1.02
1.12
Heating
O value (Btu)
41.47
17.95
19.93
38.97
16.96
19.28
39.68
17.27
19.32
40.17
18.83
20.34
36.74
16.01
19.28
38.17
16.16
18.57
39.08
17.66
19.40
36.28
14.16
16.16
40.26
17.84
19.96
40.45
18.04
19.85
7380
11040
12260
7500
10810
12290
7550
109*90
12290
7820
11240
12140
7360
10280
12380
7570
10860
12470
7860
11240
12350
7840
11140
12700
7540
11010
12320
7630
11150
12270
co
3
fPPABLE COt
r
CO
0
g
i
EASTERN
MONT A*
«4
1
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 49.-Fomu of sulfur and fusibility of ash, Foster Greek coal deport.
Drillhole
and location
Depth
sampled
Lab.
number
Coal
bed
Form of sulfur. %
Form of.
analysis / Sulfur Sulfate
Pyritic
Organic
Fusibility of ash. F
Initial
deformation Softening Fluid
temp. temp. temp.
FC-6
1S48ES29
AADD
FC-11
IS 47E S3
ACAC
FC-32
IN 47E S25
OCCC
48 to
59ft.
84 to
100ft.
212 to
220 ft.
1-46486
1-46487
1-46488
FC-16
1N48ES17
CABB
FC-28
1N47ES21
ACBC
FC-29
1N46ES21
BCCB
53 to
62ft.
37 to
38ft.
74 to
87ft.
197 to
208ft.
115 to
117ft.
118 to
121 ft.
1-46489
1-46490
M6491
1-46492
1-46493
83 to
1-46494
177 to
186 K ft. 1-46495
Knobloch
Knobloch
Flowers-
Goodale
Tenet
Lay Creek
Flowers-
Goodale
Tenet
Knobloch
Flowers-
Goodale
Tenet
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
.37
.56
.62
.32
.46
.52
.40
.59
.66
.21
.30
.32
.39
.54
.65
.77
1.11
1.27
.24
.35
.38
1.61
2.28
2.60
.36
.53
.60
.20
.30
.33
.03
.04
.04
.01
.02
.02
.03
.05
.05
.01
.02
.02
.02
.03
.03
.02
.03
.04
.02
.03
.04
.02
.03
.04
.02
.02
.02
.00
.00
.00
.13
.20
.22
.07
.10
.11
.07
.11
.12
.03
.04
.04
.03
.04
.05
.55
.78
.90
.13
.18
.20
1.21
1.72
1.97
.21
.32
.35
.24
.34
.39
.30
.43
.49
.17
.24
.26
.34
.47
.57
.20
.29
.34
.12
.16
.18
.37
.52
.60
.07
.11
.12
.02
.03
.03
.28
.40
.45
.18
.27
.23
2290
2230
2190
2250
2440
2050
2030
2000
2210
2040
2320
2260
2240
2280
2470
2100
2080
2350
2290
2290
2310
2500
2190
2180
2050 2140
2240 2270
2150 2260
1
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
oo
-------
Ttble 50.-Major ash constituents, Foster Creek coal deposit.
oo
oo
Drillhole Depth Sample Coal
Constituent.
and location
FC-11
IS 47E S3
FC-28
IN 47E S21
FC-32
1N47ES25
sampled
84 to
100 ft.
212 to
220 ft.
74 to
87ft.
197 to
208 ft.
83 to
95% ft.
177 to
186% ft.
number
GF-66-
1200
GF-66-
1202
GF-66-
1205
GF-66-
1208
GF-66-
1211
GF-66-
1213
bed
Knobloch
Flowers-
Goodale
Flowers-
Goodale
Tenet
Flowers-
Goodale
Tenet
A12O3 CaO FejO3 K2O MgO Na2O P2O5 SiO3 SO3 TiO2
14.3 18.3 4.7 .3 5.9 1.0 .7 43.1 8.7 .7
14.3 21.3 6.2 .3 4.7 6.2 .1 29.9 12.7 .5
13.5 18.7 9.5 .4 3.8 5.5 .1 28.0 19.4 .3
12.8 24.8 7.9 .3 5.0 8.8 .6 26.2 11.9 .3
17.2 22.6 6.1 .4 4.9 4.5 .6 30.3 11.8 .5
11.9 24.9 7.0 .3 4.7 8.4 1.2 30.3 8.9 .3
LOI @ 800°C Total
.5 98.2
U)
.5 96.7 jjj
>
.5 99.7 w
0
o
p
.4 99.0 g
.3 99.2 i
i
.8 98.7 |
3
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—BROADUS
89
The principal land uses in this area are livestock graz-
ing and dry-land farming. Many areas provide large gently
sloping fields for raising winter wheat and other grains.
Hay is grown on meadows along the principal valleys
throughout the area.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The regional dip in the Foster Creek area is southwest,
as the Terret bed declines from an altitude of 3,150 feet
in the northern part to 3,070 feet in the part south of
Little Pumpkin Creek. Small anticlinal and synclinal un-
dulations have vertical relief as great as 60 feet (Gilmour
and Williams, 1969, p. 3).
COAL BEDS
The three major coal beds in the Foster Creek area
are, from lowest to highest, the Terret, Flowers-Goodale,
and the Knobloch. The Terret bed is the principal coal
bed in the northern part of the area, where the thickness
averages about 9 feet over a large area and is a maximum
of 11 feet. In the southern half of the mapped area, both
the Flowers-Goodale and the Knobloch beds are minable.
The Flowers-Goodale is 2 to 14 feet thick, and the Knob-
loch is 5 to 18 feet thick. In the southern part of the
area, the vertical distance between the Flowers-Goodale
and the Knobloch, as determined by drilling, is 89 to 119
feet (Gilmour and Williams, 1969, p. 3).
COAL QUALITY
Ten core samples were recovered during the field in-
vestigations and were sent to the Grand Forks Coal Re-
search Laboratory, US. Bureau of Mines, for analyses.
Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and heating value
are shown in Table 48. Forms of sulfur and fusibility of
ash are shown in Table 49, and major ash constituents in
Table 50.
COAL RESERVES
The coal reserves in the Foster Creek area total
1,427,900,000 tons. The Knobloch coal bed contains
708,130,000 tons, the Flowers-Goodale bed 258,900,000
tons, and the Terret bed 460,870,000 tons (Table 47).
BROADUS COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Broadus coal deposit (PI. 17) is in T. 2,3, and 4 S.,
R. 49 and 50 E., Powder River County, about 5 miles
northwest of Broadus. The area is bordered on its eastern
side by U.S. Highway 312, which connects Broadus with
Miles City. U.S. Highway 212 cuts across the southern
part of the mapped area. The Broadus coal deposit over-
laps the Pumpkin Creek coal deposit (PI. 15) to the west
and borders the Foster Creek coal deposit (PI. 16). The
Sand Creek coal deposit (PL 28) is a few miles to the
north.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the Broadus coal deposit was done
in the summer of 1967 as part of a cooperative project
between Burlington Northern, Inc., and the Montana
Bureau of Mines and Geology to develop information on
strippable coal in eastern Montana. Both the railroad and
the Bureau supplied a field crew and shared in the drilling
expenses. Loren A. Williams of Burlington Northern, Inc.,
prepared the map from field data during the following
winter.
The field method was developed by Burlington North-
ern, Inc., to evaluate strippable coal in areas where good
topographic maps were lacking. This method included
establishing a series of temporary bench marks of the
area as well as altimeter base stations, and obtaining hun-
dreds of altimeter points for topographic control. Infor-
mation on the quantity and quality of the coal was ob-
tained by drilling (Carmichael, 1967).
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The northern part of the Broadus coal deposit was
mapped by Bryson (1952), and the southern part by
Warren (1959). The part that is overlapped by the Pump-
kin Creek coal deposit was mapped and described in a
thesis by Carmichael (1967). Strippable coal in the
Broadus coal bed was included in a report by Ayler,
Smith, and Deutman (1969, p. 23), but that report in-
cluded an area farther south in T. 5 and 6 S., R. 49 and
50 E., which was excluded from the present report be-
cause the topography there is rugged and deeply dis-
sected. Some small areas, however, as along Rough Creek
and Cache Creek, would provide some strippable coal.
The Cache Creek strippable coal deposit in the Broadus
coal bed has been described by Matson, Dahl, and Blumer
(1968).
LAND OWNERSHIP
As T. 2 and 3 S., R. 49 and 50 E., are within the land
grant to Burlington Northern, Inc., the railroad owns the
coal in the odd-numbered sections, although it has con-
veyed most of the surface. In T. 4 S., R. 49 and 50 E.,
south of the land grant, most of the coal is owned by the
-------
90
STRIPPABLB GOAL, 8OUTHBA8TBRN MONTANA
Table Sl.-Rewnrw, overburden, overburden ratio, tens, tnd toiu/acre, Broadus coal deposit.
BROADUSBED
Thickness of
uveibuiiien, ft.
Indicated reiervei,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to 150
Total
165.92 224.14
226.83 701.31
347.07 1.793.59
739.82 Total 2,719.04
1.35
3.09
Federal Government, although the surface has been con-
veyed except for a few small tracts. The state owns sec. 16
and 36 in each township in T. 2 and 3 S., but only a frac-
tion of those sections in T. 4 S.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Broadus coal field on the west side of the broad
alluviated Mizpah valley, is drained by Mizpah Creek and
its tributaries. The area has moderate to low relief, and
the terrain is gently sloping except for a few steep-sided
ridges, small mesas, and buttes. The Broadus bed has
burned in large areas where it was under a minimal over-
burden and the burning has formed thick multicolored
clinker along the eastern edge of the coal deposit. Locally
the clinker is deeply dissected. Mizpah Creek, an inter-
mittent stream flowing most of the year, has periods of
no flow in the late summer and autumn. Its tributaries
are dry, and water is retained only by earthen dams.
The principal land uses are livestock grazing and dry-
land farming. The gently sloping terrain above the clink-
ered areas provides large fields suitable for raising winter
wheat and other grains. Hay is raised in sub-irrigated
fields along the main valley of Mizpah Creek and its trib-
utaries.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Broadus coal deposit dip generally
westward. Minor structural undulations roughly parallel
the land surface; the tributaries west of Mizpah Creek are
structurally low and the ridges between are structurally
high. A fault has been mapped in sec. 10 and IS, T. 4 S.,
R. 50 E. (Warren, 1959).
COAL BEDS
The Broadus bed is the only bed in the Broadus coal
deposit that has strippable reserves. Farther wot the
Sawyer coal bed. which overlies the Broadus, has been
mapped and included in the Pumpkin Creek coal deposit
(PL 15). In the Broadus coal field the Broadus bed is 100
feet above the base of the Tongue River Member (Warren*
Avenge 3.68 Total
3,737.2 44,396,87
5,796.0 39,135.61
8.896.6 39.011.53
18,429.8 Avenge 40,142.15
1959; Matson, Dahl, and Blunter, 1968), but farther
north, in the Coalwood field, it is 135 feet above the
base (Bryson, 1952). The thickness of the Broadus coal
bed is 26 feet in drill hole BR-1C, sec. 5, T. 4 S., R. 50 E.,
and at the abandoned Peerless mine, sec. 23, T. 4 S.,
R. SO E. The bed splits and thins northward, as shown in
drillhole BR-7C, sec. 16.T.2 S., R. 50 E., and in drill hole
BR-10, sec. 13, T. 2 S., R. 49 E. In drill hole BR-8, sec. 4,
T. 2 S., R. 50 E., in the northern end of the deposit, the
bed consists of two 5-foot benches. The Broadus coal
bed also thins to the south and is 12 feet thick in drill
hole SS-2, sec. 36, T. S S., R. 49 E. (Matson, Dahl, and
Blunter, 1968, p. 41).
A local bed between the Broadus and the Sawyer coal
beds is as much as S feet thick, as shown in drill hole BR-9
insec.36,T.2S.,R.49E.
COAL QUALITY
Small wagon mines, including the Peerless in the south-
central part of sec. 23, T. 4 S., R. SO £., the Victor Stabio
in sec. 24, T. 4 S., R. SO EM the Black Diamond in sec. 1 1 ,
T. S S., R- 50 E., and the Superior in sec. 14, T. S S.,
R. 50 E., were actively supplying the needs of the Broadus
community in earlier years. Analytical reports of samples
from these mines show a heating value ranging from 6,390
to 7380 Btu, moic&ue 29.0 to 319%, volatile matter
266 to 31.6%, fixed carbon 313 to 33.1%, ash 6.0 to
8.1%, and sulfur 02 to QA% on the "as received" basis
(Warren, 1959).
Four cone sample* were obtained from the Broadus
coal bed, and these were analyzed by the US. Bureau of
Mines, Grand FodU Coal Research Laboratory. Proximate
anah/afe, ultimate analysis, and heating value are shown
in Table 52, and major aft constituents and fusibility of
attaieafe0wnfaiT0Me53.
Reserve* in Jh* ffroa&c coal deport total 739,820,000
-------
Tible 52.-Pn»dmate analysis, ultimate analysis, ind betting value, Braadus coal deposit
Proximate. %
fidDfaflfe
and location
BR-1C
4S5QES5
BOCD
BR-6C
3SSOES7
AAAB
BR-7C
2S5QES16
CCCC
BR-12C
3S50ES5
AABB
Depth
sampled
'
68 to
94ft.
92 to
U7 ft.
89 to
104ft.
£7 to
Lab. Coal Form of .
number bed analysis / Moisture
Broadui A 30.07
B
1-73087 C
Broadui A 28.95
B
1-73088 C
Broadui A 30.87
B
1-73089 C
Broadui A 29.82
B
1-73090 C
Volatile
matter
28.67
41.00
45.11
28.86
40.62
44.99
27.58
39.90
45.92
28.81
41.05
45.27
Fixed
carbon
34.89
49.89
54.89
35.29
49.67
55.01
32.48
46.98
54.08
34.83
49.63
54.73
Ash S
6.37 .19
9.11 .27
.30
6.90 .24
9.71 .34
.37
9.07 .46
13.12 .66
.76
634 .20
9.32 .29
.32
Ultimate. %
H
6.39
4.36
4.80
6.26
4.29
4.76
6.39
4.28
4.93
6.38
4.38
4.83
C
45.69
65.34
71.89
45.82
64.50
71.44
42.79
61.89
71.24
45.19
64.39
71.00
N
.67
36
1.05
.67
54
1.04
.70
1.02
1.17
.68
.97
1.06
O
40.69
19.96
21.96
40.11
20.22
22.3»
40.59
19.03
21.90
41.01
20.65
22.79
HnnHtifl
value (Btu)
7580
10840
11930
7550
10630
11780
7120
10310
11860
7500
10680
11780
2
g
-------
92
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Table 54.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, East Moorhead coal deposit.
TBED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
Total
188.13
611.63
1.215.70
2,015.46
EAST MOORHEAD COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The East Moorhead coal deposit (PI. 18) is in T. 7, 8,
and 9 S., R. 50 and 51 E., Powder River County. The
area is bounded on the east by exposure and by clinker
above the T coal bed, on the south by the Wyoming bor-
der, and on the west by increasingly thicker overburden.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the East Moorhead coal deposit was
done during the summer of 1971; numerous exploration
holes were drilled and the surface was mapped on 7&-
minute topographic quadrangle maps. Mapping was com-
pleted the following winter, when the overburden map
was prepared.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The East Moorhead coal deposit was described in a
U.S. Geological Survey open-file report on the Moorhead
coal field (Bryson and Bass, 1966).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Federal Government owns most of the coal rights
in the deposit, as the area is south of the land grant to
Burlington Northern, Inc., but it has conveyed most of
the surface to individuals except in T. 8 S. The State of
Montana owns the surface and coal in sec. 16 and 36 in
each township.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The East Moorhead coal deposit occupies the highest
part of the divide between Little Powder River to the east
and Powder River to the west. All the tributaries of
Powder River and Little Powder River are intermittent
streams, which flow only during periods of heavy pre-
cipitation and the spring runoff. Because the drainage
pattern has a very strong northwest to north orientation
on both sides of the divide, it seems to be structurally
1.62
3.46
5.23
Average 3.84
Total
3,533.7 32,883.4
5,054.8 34,931.8
6.970.9 33.341.0
15,559.4 Average 33,756.0
controlled. The divide area is grass-covered and gently
rolling above the clinker areas. The steep valley sides are
formed by resistant clinker produced by burning of the
T coal bed. The valley bottoms are relatively flat and the
main ones are as much as a mile wide. Buttes are numer-
ous in the area and are capped by clinker. Ponderosa pine
trees grow on the clinker along the sides of the valleys.
The principal land uses in the area are livestock grazing
and dry-land farming. Various grains are grown on sum-
mer fallowed fields, and some hay is raised, especially
along the valley bottoms.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
Drill hole data from the T coal bed show a dip to the
west. Minor undulation of the surface is apparent in the
area.
COAL BEDS
The T coal bed, the only one in the East Moorhead
coal deposit that contains economically recoverable coal,
has been correlated (Bryson and Bass, 1966) with the
Cache coal bed. It is named for Cache Creek west of
Powder River (Warren, 1959). The T coal bed is 26 feet
thick in drill hole SH-713 in sec. 6, T. 8 S., R. 51 E., in
the north-central part of the mapped area, but thins
southward and is only 10 feet thick in drill hole SH-718
insec.24,T.9S.,R.50E.
COAL QUALITY
Thirteen core samples were obtained from the T coal
bed for analyses by the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology analytical laboratory. Proximate analysis, forms
of sulfur, and heating value are shown in Table 55, and
major ash constituents of composite samples are shown
in Table 56.
COAL RESERVES
Reserves in the T coal bed total 525,210,000 tons
(Table 54).
-------
Table SS.-Ptoximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, East Mooihead coal deposit.
Drillhole
and location
SH-711
8SRS1ES4
BADC
SH-712
8SRS1ES9
BCAB
SH-713
8SRS1ES6
DDAD
SH-714
8SR51ES30
DBBA
SH-716
8S RSOE S36
BADC
SH-718
9S RSOE S24
BBCA
SH-719
9SR50ES19
ABAD
Depth
sampled
90 to
98ft.
98 to
104ft.
ISO to
158 ft.
158 to
161 ft.
161 to
168 ft.
103 to
112ft.
112 to
122 ft.
21 to
30ft.
30 to
36ft.
50 to
60ft.
90 to
96ft.
160 to
170 ft.
170 to
175 ft.
Lab.
number
343
344
345
346
34->
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
Coal
bed
Proximate. %
Form of i
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Moisture
37.870
36.820
37.650
37.070
37.270
36.690
36.630
38.360
36.310
33.940
33.730
34.640
31.840
Volatile
matter
27.453
44.187
48.102
29.516
46.717
50.753
27.567
44.213
48.325
27.449
43.618
47.143
26.675
42.524
45.608
27.647
43.669
47.091
26.937
42.507
45.521
26.334
42.722
46.225
27.614
43.357
48.425
29.111
44.068
47.844
27.239
41.103
49.785
27.474
42.035
46.029
19.821
29.081
36.033
Fixed
carbon
29.620
47.673
51.898
28.640
45.331
49.247
29.478
47.279
51.675
30.776
48.905
52.857
31.813
50.714
54.392
31.063
49.064
52.909
32.237
50.872
54.479
30.635
49.701
53.775
29.410
46.178
51.575
31.735
48.040
52.156
27.474
41.458
50.215
32.215
49.289
53.971
35.187
51.625
63.967
Ash
5.057
8.140
5.024
7.952
5.304
8.508
4.705
7.477
4.242
6.762
4.601
7.267
4.796
6.621
4.671
7.577
6.666
10.466
5.213
7.892
11.557
17.440
5.671
8.676
13.151
19.294
Sulfur
.675
1.086
1.182
.367
.581
.631
.674
1.081
1.182
.434
.690
.745
.314
.500
.537
.741
1.171
1.263
.321
.507
.543
.476
.772
.835
.762
1.197
1.337
.360
.545
.592
.580
.875
1.059
.546
.835
.914
1.181
1.732
2.146
Form, of sulfur. %
Sulfate
.028
.046
.050
.022
.036
.039
.015
.024
.026
.015
.024
.026
.015
.024
.026
.015
.023
.025
.022
.035
.038
.021
.035
.037
.030
.047
.053
.017
.026
.028
.017
.025
.031
.017
.026
.029
.017
.025
.031
Pyritic
.071
.114
.124
.007
.012
.013
.111
.178
.195
.107
.169
.183
.061
.098
.105
.015
.023
.025
.007
.012
.013
.199
.322
.349
.536
.842
.940
.077
.117
.402
.134
.203
.246
.162
.248
.271
.362
.531
.658
Organic
.575
.926
1.008
.337
.533
.579
.548
.879
.961
.312
.496
.536
.237
.378
.406
.712
1.125
1.213
.291
.459
.492
.256
.415
.449
.196
.308
.344
.266
.402
.437
.428
.646
.783
.367
.561
.614
.801
1.176
1.457
Heating
value (Btu)
6994
11258
11255
7059
11172
12137
7014
11250
12296
7112
11301
12214
7134
11373
12198
7208
11386
12278
7147
11278
12078
6943
11264
12188
7051
11071
12366
7592
11493
12477
6867
10362
12551
7494
11465
12554
6947
10192
12629
fj
2
jj
o
c
!>
f
D
M
"0
0
CO
g
7
i
>
CA
£
O
Q
i
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
vo
u>
-------
Table 56. -Major ash constituents of composite samples, East Moorhead coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-711
8SS1ES4
BADC
SH-712
8S51ES9
BCAB
SH-713
8S51ES6
DDAD
SH-714
8S51ES30
DBBA
SH-716
8S 50E S36
BADC
SH-718
9S 50E S24
BBCA
SH-719
9S50ES19
ABAD
Depth Lab. Coal Constituent, %
sampled sample bed A1203 CaO Fe2O3 K2O MgO Na2O P2O5 SiO2 SO3 TiO2 Total
T 9.5 34.3 6.6 .1 6.1 2.3 .7 13.8 21.3 .3 95.0
90 to
104 ft. 343-344
T 12.1 34.1 6.3 .1 6.4 1.6 .1 17.7 16.6 .4 95.4
150 to
168 ft. 345-347
T 12.0 31.9 5.6 .1 6.3 4.5 1.8 12.0 21.0 .3 95.5
103 to
122 ft. 348-349
T 9.4 20.5 10.5 .1 5.0 1.1 1.1 17.7 21.5 .4 87.3
21 to
36ft. 350-351
T 14.9 33.8 6.8 .1 6.0 1.0 2.0 16.5 14.0 .4 95.5
50 to
60 ft. 352
T 24.4 12.4 5.5 1.0 2.7 1.3 .9 42.8 5.8 1.0 97.8
90 to
96 ft. 353
T 17.4 16.5 8.9 .5 3.1 1.6 1.1 32.1 15.8 .6 97.6
160 to
175ft. 354-355
CO
H
S3
>
0
5
o
o
r
CO
0
s
ffi
PI
CO
n
z
z
o
z
1
>
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—DIAMOND BUTTE
95
Table 57.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre,
Diamond Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and Fire Gulch coal deposits.
CANYON BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to 150
Total
139.21
178.78
100.03
418.02
Total
417.74
1,116.38
864.26
2,398.38
3.00
6.24
8.64
Average 5.74
7,848.2
9,228.2
4.287.2
Total 21,363.6
17,737.8
19,373.2
23.332.2
Average 19,566.6
COOK BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Indicated reserves,
million tons
128.11
225.67
275.17
Total 628.95
Total
Interburden,
million cu. yd.
288.3
848.69
1.492.08
2,629.07
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
2.25
3.76
5.42
Average 4.18 Total
Acres Tons/acre
2,688.0 47,659.9
4,710.4 47.908.9
6.047.8 45.499.2
13,446.2 Average 46,775.9
PAWNEE and COOK BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
73.28
152.03
111.38
336.69
Total
200.89
529.71
749.6
1,480.2
2.74
3.48
6.73
Average 4.39
Total
2,035.2 36,006.3
3,699.2 41,098.1
2.752.0 40.472.4
8,486.4 Average 39,674.1
DIAMOND BUTTE, GOODSPEED BUTTE, AND
FIRE GULCH COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Diamond Butte (PI. 19), Goodspeed Butte (PI. 20),
and Fire Gulch (PI. 21) coal deposits are in T. 6 and 7 S.,
R. 46,47, and 48 E., Powder River County. These depos-
its are bordered on the south by the West Moorhead (PI.
10A, B, and C), on the north by the Threemile Buttes
(PI. 24) and Sonnette (PI. 25A and B), and on the north-
west corner by the Otter Creek (PI. 12) coal deposits.
Parts of the Fire Gulch and Diamond Butte deposits are
outside the boundary, but most of the coal in these three
deposits is in the Custer National Forest.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The Diamond Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and Fire Gulch
areas were drilled during the 1971 field season. The geol-
ogy was mapped from colored photos borrowed from the
U.S. Forest Service, supplemented by reference to the
report by Warren (1959).
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
Except for T. 7 S., R. 46 and 47 E., the area included
in the Diamond Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and Fire Gulch
deposits was mapped by Warren (1959). That part of the
area that is in T. 7 S., R. 45 and 46 E., was described by
Bryson and Bass (1966), and by Matson (1970), and the
-------
Table 58.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Diamond Butle coal deposit.
Os
Drill hole
and location
SH-7121
6SR48ES16
BCAA
SH-7122
6S R47L- S34
CCCD
SH-7123
6S R471 S29
DACC
SH-7124
6S R47E S30
BCBB
SH-7128
6S R47fc S36
ACAC
SH-7134
6S R48E S29
BBAA
Depth Lab
sampled number
90 to
96ft
88 to
90ft.
174 to
178ft
192 to
201 ft.
56 to
63ft
112 to
122 ft.
54 to
64ft
376
377
378
379
380
383
384
Coal
bed
Canyon
Local
Proximate, %
Form of sulfur, %
Canyon
Canyon
Canyon
Canyon
Form of
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Moisture
37.030
36.400
34.070
34.430
32.270
36.650
35.260
Volatile
matter
27.510
43.687
46.736
25.542
40.160
44.154
27.603
41.868
47.864
28.539
43.524
46.149
29.335
43.311
45.526
26.294
41.507
43.787
27.929
43.140
46.874
Fixed
carbon
31.352
49.788
53.264
32.305
50.793
55.846
30.068
45.605
52.136
33.301
50.787
53.851
35.100
51.823
54.474
33.757
53.286
56.213
31.654
48.894
53.126
Ash
4.109
6.525
5.754
9.047
8.259
12.527
3.730
5.689
3.296
4.866
3.299
5.207
5.157
7.966
Sulfur
.274
.435
.465
.493
.775
.852
1.017
1.543
1.764
.264
.402
.427
.262
.387
.407
.213
.336
.354
.523
.808
.878
Sulfate
.007
.012
.013
.000
.000
.000
.015
.023
.026
.008
.011
.012
.016
.023
.025
.007
.012
.012
.014
.022
.024
Pyritic
.059
.094
.101
.077
.121
.133
.528
.800
.915
.023
.034
.037
.016
.023
.025
.044
.069
.073
.122
.188
.204
Organic
.207
.329
.352
.416
.654
.719
.475
.720
.823
.234
.356
.378
.230
.340
.357
.161
.255
.269
.387
.597
.649
CO
H
Heating
value (Btu)
7138
11336
12127
7100
11164
12274
7240
10981
12553
7455
11369
12055
7897
11660 w
12257 W
2
7187 S
11345 |
11968 £
7296 >
11269
12245
o
o
CO
O
i
n
/A, as received; B, moisture free, C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 59.-Major ash constituents, Diamond Butte coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7121
6S48ES16
BCAA
SH-7122
6S 471£ S34
CCCD
SH-7123
6S 47E S29
DACC
SH-7124
6S47ES30
BCBB
SH-7128
6S 47E S36
ACAC
SH-7134
6S 48E S29
BBAA
Depth
sampled
90 to
96ft.
88 to
90ft.
174 to
178 ft.
192to
201 ft.
56 to
63ft.
112 to
122 ft.
54 to
64ft.
Lab. Coal Constituent, %
sample bed A12O3 CaO Fe203 K2O MgO Na2O P2OS SiO2 SO3 TiO2 Total
Canyon 10.9 31.6 7.4 .4 9.1 .9 .8 21.6 12.6 .7 96.0
376
Local 18.9 18.4 4.3 .5 4.7 6.1 1.5 27.2 14.0 2.2 97.8
377
12.5 12.2 11.9 .5 3.4 3.4 1.6 34.2 15.9 .9 96.5
378
Canyon 10.5 31.0 10.0 .2 7.4 9.7 1.1 10.8 14.1 .6 95.4
379
Canyon 10.3 36.3 8.8 .2 12.1 1.0 .4 9.9 14.9 .3 94.2
380
Canyon 11.1 33.2 7.8 .3 8.8 8.4 1.1 9.4 12.6 . .5 93.2
383
Canyon 10.1 26.9 8.9 .2 7.1 6.6 .7 19.3 18.7 .6 99.1
384
D
5
e
r
DEPOSITS— DI,
y
O
z
o
W
3
n
v«
*••.
-------
Table 60.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Goodipeed Butte coal deport.
oo
Proximate, %
form of sulfur, %
Drill hole
and location
SH-7126
6S 46E S28
BAB A
Drill hole
and location
SH-7126
6S 46E S28
BABA
Depth Lab.
sampled number
88 to
91 ft. 381
94 to
97 ft. 382
Depth Lab.
sampled sample
88 to
91 ft. 381
94 to
97 ft. 382
Coal Form of Volatile Fixed
bed analysis / Moisture matter carbon Ash Sulfur Sulfate Pyritic Organic
Cook A 33.290 25.291 32.550 8.869 2.054 .054 .840 1.159
B 37.913 48.793 13.294 3.079 .082 1.259 1.738
C 43.726 56.274 3.551 .094 1.453 2.004
A 33.710 23.071 30.776 12.443 1.220 .045 .475 .700
B 34.803 46.427 18.771 1.841 .068 .716 1.057
C 42.845 57.155 2.266 .084 .881 1.301
Table 6 1 .-Major ash constituents, Goodcpeed Butte coal deposit
Coal Constituent, %
bed A12O3 CaO FejOa
Cook 14.2 7.7 11.8
18.3 6.8 7.9
KjO MgO Na3O PaO» SiOj SO, TiOj Total
1.1 4.9 .4 .1 32.0 18.4 .5 91.1
1.2 2.8 .4 .6 46.8 9.2 .8 94.8
Heating
value (Btu)
6861
10285
11861
6682
10081
12410
STRIP? ABLE COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
-------
Table 62.-Ptoxiraate analysis, fomu of tulfur, tod heating value, Fire Gulch coal deposit.
Proximate, %
Form of sulfur, %
Drillhole
and location
SH-7135
6S 48E S29
ABAC
Depth
sampled
115 to
125 ft.
125 to
133 ft.
137 to
142 ft.
Lab
number
385
386
387
Coal
bed
Cook
Form of
analysis1/
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Moisture
33.620
28.960
35.180
.
Volatile
matter
27.425
41.315
44.491
30.725
43.250
45.463
27.917
43.069
45.517
Fixed
carbon
34.217
51.547
55.509
36.857
51.882
54.537
33.417
51.554
54.483
Ash
4.738
7.138
3.458
4.868
3.485
5.377
Sulfur
.258
.389
.419
.384
.541
.569
.349
.538
.568
Sulfate
.022
.032
.035
.015
.022
.023
.014
.022
.023
Pyritic
.057
.087
.093
.061
.087
.091
.049
.075
.080
Organic
.179
.270
.291
.307
.433
.455
.286
.441
.466
Heating
value (Btu)
7530
11343
12215
8198
11540
12131
7491
11556
12213
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
Table 63.-Major ash constituents, Fire Gukh coal deposit.
Drillhole Depth Lab. Coal
and location sampled sample bed
Constituent, %
AljO3 CaO FejOj KjO MgO NajO PjOj SK>a SOj TiOj Total
SH-7135
6S 48E S29
ADAC
115 to
133 ft.
Cook
385-386
13.5 30.8
5.2
10.7
1.4
20.4
13.3 .5
96.7
137 to
142 ft.
387
10.2 32.4
5.1
8.0
5.7
15.1
17.9
95.2
-------
100
STR1PPABLE COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Pawnee coal bed as shown on the Fire Gulch map (PI.
21) was included in the report by Ayler, Smith, and
Deutman(1969).
LAND OWNERSHIP
Except for approximately three-quarters of T. 6 S.,
R. 48 E., all the surface and the coal in the Diamond
Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and Fire Gulch area are owned
by the Federal Government and administered by the U.S.
Forest Service, Custer National Forest. The State of Mon-
tana owns the surface and coal in sec. 16 and 36 in T. 6 S.,
R. 48 E. The Federal Government also has a few isolated
40-acre tracts within this township, which are adminis-
tered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The rest
of the surface in this township is privately owned, but
very little if any land in the other townships is privately
owned.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The most prominent feature within the area is the high
grass-covered divide between Powder River to the east
and Otter Creek to the west. The barren tops of Diamond
Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and other high points contrast
sharply with the relatively flat ridges at lower levels,
which have been dissected by the steep tributaries of
Powder River and Otter Creek. These deeply incised val-
leys are separated by long ridges extending both north-
west and southeast from the divide. These very steep
sides of ridges are lined with lush growth of ponderosa
pine trees, which are supported by clinker. The ridges
are accessible from the top of the divide by trails that
extend from the divide to the ends of the ridges. The val-
leys have a very definite northwest lineation, especially
on the Powder River side of the divide.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing,
as ranchers in the vicinity have grazing permits on Forest
Service land.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
Strata in the Diamond Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and
Fire Gulch coal deposits dip generally southwest, except
for local reversals. An anticlinal structure occurs in the
southwest corner of T. 6 S., R. 47 E.
COAL BEDS
The coal beds of economic interest in the Diamond
Butte, Goodspeed Butte, and Fire Gulch coal deposits
are, from top to bottom, the Canyon, Cook, and Pawnee
coal beds. Strippable reserves in the Canyon coal bed are
shown in the Diamond Butte area (PI. 19), strippable re-
serves in the Cook bed are shown in the Goodspeed Butte
area (PI. 20), and strippable reserves in the Cook and
Pawnee beds are shown in the Fire Gulch coal deposit
(PI. 21). The Canyon bed is about 200 feet above the
Cook bed in the Diamond Butte coal deposit (PI. 19),
sec. 30, T. 6 S., R. 47 E., as shown in drill hole SH-7124,
and in drill hole SH-7134, sec. 29, T. 6 S., R. 48 E.
The Cook coal bed consists of two benches throughout
the area. In drill hole SH-7124 the upper bench is 14 feet
thick, the lower bench is 12 feet thick, and the parting is
34 feet. In SH-7134, however, the upper bench is 22 feet
thick, the lower bench is 14 feet thick, and the parting is
only 3 feet thick. Thicknesses measured in SH-7135 in
sec. 29, T. 6 S., R.48 E., are very similar to these. In drill
hole SH-7121, in sec. 16, T. 6 S., R. 48 E., the Canyon
bed is 211 feet above the Cook bed, and the upper bench
of the Cook bed is 22 feet thick, the lower bench 12 feet,
and the parting 12 feet. The parting between the two
benches of the Cook seems to increase locally (PI. 20) as
shown in drill hole SH-7131, sec. 6, T. 6S..R.47 E. In
this drill hole, the upper bench, 13 feet thick, and the
lower bench, 12 feet thick, are separated by a parting of
45 feet. In drill hole SH-7133 of the same township, the
upper bench, 20 feet thick, and the lower bench, 14 feet
thick, are separated by a 34-foot parting.
In the Diamond Butte coal deposit, thickness of the
Canyon bed ranges from 7 feet in the northern part, as
measured in drill hole SH-7130 in sec. 15,T. 6S., R.47 E.,
and drill hole SH-7121 in sec. 16, T. 6 S., R. 48 E., to 16
feet in drill hole SH-7122 in sec.34, T. 6 S., R.47 E. The
Canyon bed is easily recognizable because a coal bed 2 to
4 feet thick lies about 15 feet above it. This marker bed
is noted in the mechanical logs of all the drill holes in the
Diamond Butte coal deposit. The thin coal bed corres-
ponds with a similar bed above the Canyon in the West
Moorhead coal deposit farther south (Matson, 1970, p. 6).
The Pawnee coal bed and its clinker crop out at num-
erous localities in T. 6 S., R. 49 E. (PI. 21). A thickness
of about 20 feet was measured in sec. 5 and also in sec. 25
(Warren, 1959). Strippable reserves in the Pawnee coal
bed have previously been outlined along Pinto Creek and
Fire Gulch in sec. 36, T. 6 S., R. 48 E., and sec. 19, 20,
30, and 31, T.6 S., R.49 E. (Ayler, Smith, and Deutman,
1969). Other strippable reserves of the Pawnee have been
outlined along Cache Creek in sec. 1,T. 6 S..R.48 E., and
sec. 6 and 7, T. 6 S., R. 49 E. (Matson, Dahl, and Blumer,
1968).
COAL QUALITY
Twelve core samples were obtained during the current
project and were analyzed by the Montana Bureau of
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—SWEENEY CREEK-SNYDER CREEK
101
Mines and Geology analytical laboratory. Proximate an-
alysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value for the Diamond
Butte coal deposit are shown in Table 58, for Goodspeed
Butte in Table 60, and for Fire Gulch in Table 62. An-
alytical results of composite samples showing ash constit-
uents are shown in Tables 59, 61, and 63.
Although no cores were obtained from the Pawnee
coal bed in the Fire Gulch coal deposit on this project, a
core taken previously was reported by Matson, Dahl, and
Blumer (1968). This core sample was obtained in sec. 36,
T. 5 S., R. 48 E., and on the "as received" basis, shows a
moisture content of 32.0%, volatile matter 29.5%, fixed
carbon 32.5%, ash 6%, sulfur 0.2%, hydrogen 6.7%, car-
bon 45.4%, nitrogen 0.8%, oxygen 40.9%, heating value
7,650 Btu.
COAL RESERVES
The Goodspeed Butte coal deposit has reserves in the
Cook coal bed totaling 628,950,000 tons, the Diamond
Butte coal deposit has reserves in the Canyon coal bed
totaling 418,020,000 tons, and the Fire Gulch coal de-
posit has reserves of 336,690,000 tons in the Cook and
Pawnee coal beds (Table 57).
SWEENEY CREEK-SNYDER CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit (PI. 22)
is in T. 2 and 3 N., R.43 and 44 E., Rosebud County. The
deposit is on the divide between Rosebud Creek on the
west and Tongue River on the east, and is about 20 miles
south of the Yellowstone River.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek
area was completed in the summer of 1968 under a co-
operative agreement between the Montana Bureau of
Mines and Geology and Burlington Northern, Inc. The
purpose was to gain new information on the quality and
quantity of coal resources in strippable coal fields in
southeastern Montana. The Bureau and the railroad each
provided part of the evaluation cost.
The field work was conducted under the supervision
of Loren Williams assisted by Peter Mattson of Burlington
Northern, Inc., and Gardar G. Dahl, Montana Bureau of
Mines and Geology. The field method utilized was devel-
oped by Burlington Northern, Inc. (Carmichael, 1967).
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The geology of the Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal
deposit was described in a US. Geological Survey report
on the Rosebud coal field (Pierce, 1936). The strippable
coal was also outlined and discussed in the report by
Ayler, Smith, and Deutman (1969).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit lies
within the land grant to Burlington Northern, Inc. The
railroad has retained ownership of mineral rights in the
odd-numbered sections but has conveyed the surface. The
Federal Government retained the coal rights when it con-
veyed the even-numbered sections. The State of Montana
owns the surface and minerals in sec. 16 and 36 of each
township.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The divide between Tongue River and Rosebud Creek
has a fairly flat top and is bordered by clinker formed by
burning of the Terret coal bed. The rugged slopes of the
sharp and deep valleys on both sides of the divide are
covered with ponderosa pine. The principal land use in
the area is livestock grazing.
Table 64.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit.
TtRRET BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
Total
1.77
4.08
7.17
Average 2.97
Total
30,162.4
29,686.8
28.106.8
Average 29,880.4
-------
Table 65.-Proximite analysis, ultimate analysis, loimt of sulfur, and heating value,
Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit.
s
Proximate, %
Drillhole
and location
SS-IC
2N44I S29
CABC
SS-2C
2N 441-. S4
CAD A
SS-3C
3N44I- S27
CCBB
SS-5C
.IN 441 S3
IMA A
I
/A, as received
Depth
sampled
50 to
66 ft
74 to
92ft
80 to
97ttft
109 to
127 ft
; B. moisture
Lah and
sample no.
J-11591
GF -69-36
J 11592
GF-69-37
J-11593
Gl -69-38
J-11594
GF-69-39
Coal
bed
Terret
Terret
Terret
Terret
free; C. moisture and ash
Form of .
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
free.
Table 66
Volatile
Moisture matter
2391 27.91
33.68
41.69
24.63 27.79
36.87
41.96
24.53 28.28
37.47
42.72
25.31 28.27
37.86
43.33
Fixed
carbon Ash
39.03 9.15
51.30 12.02
58.31
38.44 9.14
51.00 12.13
58.04
37.92 9.27
50.25 12.28
57.28
36.99 9.43
49.52 12.62
56.67
Ultima te,%
Heating
S H C N O value (Btu) Sulfur
1.53 5.77 49.62 .81 33.12 8310 1.53
2.01 4.08 65.22 1.07 15.60 10930 2.01
2.29 4.64 74.13 1 22 17.72 12420 2.29
1.12 5.82 48.95 .82 34.15 8200 1.12
1 49 4.10 64.95 1.08 16.25 10870 1.49
1 69 4.67 73.92 1.23 18.49 12370 1.69
.94 5.78 49.04 .81 34.16 8170 .94
1.24 4.06 64.97 1.07 16.38 10830 1.24
1.42 4.62 74.07 1.22 18.67 12350 1.42
1.18 5.87 48.45 .80 34.27 8020 1.18
1.59 4.09 64.87 1.07 15.76 10740 1.59
1.82 4.68 74.24 1.23 18.03 12290 1.82
Form of sulfur. %
Sulfate Pyritic Organic
.07
.09
.10
.08
.10
.11
.03
.04
.05
.05
.07
.08
1.13
1.48
1.69
.77
1.02
1.16
.58
.77
.88
.92
1.23
1.41
.34
.44
.50
.28
.37
.42
.33
.43
.49
.21
.29
.33
.-Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash, Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit.
Fusibility of ash. °F
Drill hole
and location
SS-IC
2N44F S29
CABC
SS-2C
2N 441: S4
CADA
SS-3C
3N 44E S27
CCBB
SS-5C
3N 44E S3
DAAA
Depth
sampled
50 to
66ft.
74 to
92ft.
80 to
9TA ft.
109 to
127 ft.
Lab.
sample
GF-69-36
GF-69-37
GF-«9-38
GF-69-39
Coal
bed
Terret
Terret
Tcrret
Terret
A.,03
154
16.2
13.8
13.7
CaO Fe2O3 KjO
13.0 19.0 .2
13.3 13.8 3
16.9 12.8 .3
16.6 14.4 .2
Constituent,
MgO NajO
3.2 1.3
4.1 2.7
4.1 1.7
5.5 .4
% Initial
• deformation
P2O5 SiC-2 SO3 TiOj Total temp.
.9 26.7 17.4 .8 97.9 1910
.4 30.5 16.2 .4 97.9 1900
.3 27.2 21.5 .4 99.0 1930
.3 27.0 21.4 .5 100.0 1940
Softening
temp.
1940
1940
1970
1970
Fluid
temp.
1970
1980
2010
2000
Real
specific
gravity
1.59
1.58
1.56
1.59
CO
H
2
1
to
5
O
O
r
CO
O
n
co
H
n
V
z
s
O
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—YAGER BUTTE
103
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal
deposit, although nearly horizontal, show a gentle south-
erly dip.
A fault, mapped in sec. 1, T. 3 N., R. 44 E., has a strike
of N. 30° W. and a maximum throw of 60 feet. The south-
west side of the fault is downdropped (Pierce, 1936, pi. 1).
COAL BEDS
The Terret coal bed is the only one that contains strip-
pable reserves in the Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal
deposit. The Burley bed, below the Terret bed, is gener-
ally thin throughout the area (Pierce, 1936), and it is 4
feet thick in drill hole SS-1C in sec. 29, T. 2 N., R. 44 E.
The Terret coal bed, 17 to 18 feet thick throughout the
area, has burned along the sides of the ridge.
COAL QUALITY
Four core samples of the Terret coal bed were ob-
tained and analyzed by the US. Bureau of Mines Coal
Research Laboratory at Grand Forks. Proximate analysis,
ultimate analysis, heating value, and forms of sulfur are
shown in Table 65. Major ash constituents, fusibility of
ash, and specific gravity are shown in Table 66.
COAL RESERVES
Reserves in the Terret coal bed total 326,330,000
tons (Table 64).
Table 67.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Yager Butte coal deposit.
ELK and DUNNING BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
.Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
442.35
417.60
315.91
1,175.86
Total
836.6
1,567.35
1.361.27
3,765.22.
1.89
3.75
4.30
Average 3.20
Total
11,116.4
9,689.2
6.118.4
26,924.0
39,793.9
43,100.4
51.632.8
Average 43,673.3
COOK BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
156.71
688.75
1.182.31
Total 2,027.77
2.95 2,943.4
6.11 5,692.0
8.09 5.872.1
Average 6.50 Total 14,507.5
18,070.94
19,803.23
24.882.07
Average 21,507.50
YAGER BUTTE COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Yager Butte coal deposit (PI. 23 A and B) is in T. 3,
4, and 5 S., R. 46 and 47 E., Powder River County. The
area is bordered on the south by the Diamond Butte
(PI. 19), the Goodspeed Butte (PI. 20), and the Fire Gulch
(PI. 21) coal fields. The area is overlapped on the east by
the Threemile Buttes (PI. 24) and by the Sonnette (PI.
25A and B) coal fields. On the north it adjoins the Ash-
land coal field (PI. 13) and on the west the Otter Creek
coal field (PI. 12). The area is on the west side of the high
divide between Pumpkin Creek to the east and Otter
Creek to the west.
FIELD METHODS AND MAP PREPARATION
Field work in the Yager Butte area, done in 1970 and
1971, included drilling numerous exploration holes and
-------
Table 68.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Yager Butte coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7047
5S R47E S29
CAAA
SH-7048
5S R46L S25
CDDC
SH-7050
5S R47E S4
AADD
SH-7137
5S R47E S22
ADCC
SH-7144
5SR46ES15
BDCA
SH-7145
4S R46E S19
DDAA
Depth
sampled
141 to
151 ft.
151 to
156 ft
156 to
158 ft.
62 to
72ft.
72 to
76 ft.
86 to
94ft.
50 to
60ft.
115 to
118ft
92 to
98ft.
98 to
102ft
38 to
43ft
Lab.
number
240
241
242
243
244
249
388
389
395
396
397
Coal
bed
Cook
Proximate.
Form of
-------
SH-7145
4SR46ES19
DDAA
SH-7146
4S R46E S20
CABC
SH-7148
4S R46E S23
DBCB
SH-7149
4SR46ES14
CADC
SH-7150
4S R47E S7
CBBD
43 to
48ft.
30 to
35ft.
35 to
40ft.
100 to
106 ft.
106 to
110ft.
51 to
54ft.
43 to
52ft.
52 to
54ft.
31 to
33ft.
33 to
41 ft.
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
Elk
Elk
Dunning
Local
Dunning
Elk
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
30.610
31.120
30.880
30.060
30.170
32.260
28.590
33.810
33.760
33.170
27.907
40.218
45.076
27.753
40.291
44.455
29.031
42.000
44.905
29.067
41.560
45.325
29.219
41.844
44.627
28.593
42.210
45.335
30.188
42.274
45.369
28.190
42.589
45.771
28.172
42.531
46.039
28.568
42.747
46.279
34.004
49.005
54.924
34.676
50.343
55.545
35.618
51.531
55.095
35.064
50.134
54.675
36.255
51.919
55.373
34.478
50.898
54.665
36.350
50.904
54.631
33.398
50.459
54.229
33.020
49.850
53.961
33.162
49.621
53.721
7.478
10.777
6.452
9.366
4.471
6.468
5.809
8.306
4.356
6.238
4.669
6.892
4.872
6.823
4.602
6.952
5.047
7.620
5.100
7.632
.535
.771
.864
.435
.632
.697
.222
.321
.343
.225
.322
.351
.210
.300
.320
.760
1.122
1.205
.229
.321
.344
.395
.597
.642
.284
.429
.465
.250
.374
.404
.037
.054
.060
.044
.064
.071
.022
.032
.034
.015
.021
.023
.015
.021
.023
.043
.064
.069
.000
.000
.000
.014
.021
.023
.021
.032
.035
.029
.043
.046
.119
.171
.192
.096
.139
.154
.015
.021
.023
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.123
.182
.195
.053
.075
.080
.120
.181
.195
.028
.043
.046
.036
.053
.058
.379
.546
.612
.295
.428
.472
.185
.268
.286
.210
.300
.327
.195
.279
.297
.594
.876
.941
.176
.246
.264
.261
.395
.424
.235
.354
.383
.185
.278
.300
7575
10916
12235
7515
10910
12037
7943
11492
12286
7817
11177
12189
7991
11444
12205
7722
11400
12244
8005
11209
12030
7445
11248
12088
7297
11016
11925
7371
11030
11941
_.
z
1-1
5
o
s
r
D
w
o
GO
oo
^
O
n
09
G
a
^
M
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 69,-Major ash constituents, Yager Butte coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7047
5S47L S29
CAAA
SH-7048
5S 461: S25
CDDC
SH-7050
5S47tS4
AADD
SH-7137
5S47ES22
ADCC
SH-7I44
5S46ES15
BDCA
SH-7145
4S46ES19
DDAA
SH-7146
4S 46E S20
CABC
SH-7148
4S 46E S23
DBCB
SH-7149
4S46ES14
CADC
SH-7150
4S 47E S7
CBBD
Depth
sampled
141 to
158 ft.
62 to
76 ft
86 to
94 ft.
50 to
60ft.
115to
118ft.
92 to
102 ft
38 to
48ft.
30 to
40ft
100 to
1 10 ft.
51 to
54ft.
43 to
54ft.
31 to
41 ft.
Lab. Coal
sample bed
Cook
240-242
Cook
243-244
Elk
249
Cook
388
389
Elk
395-396
Elk
397-398
Elk
399-400
Dunning
401-402
Local
403
Dunning
404-405
Elk
406407
A1203
18.2
13.3
12.5
8.0
11.1
10.6
13.1
12.7
18.4
13.4
18.0
15.2
CaO
7.8
22.3
33.9
32.6
28.1
24.9
17.8
19.9
19.2
15.7
23.6
20.1
Fe203
9.3
8.7
6.2
5.3
9.3
6.3
5.5
5.1
4.7
8.8
4.4
4.8
K2O
2.9
.2
.2
.1
.2
.1
.8
.7
.2
.5
.2
.2
Constiti
MgO
4.0
6.7
8.5
9.9
6.4
13.2
4.7
6.6
6.5
9.1
6.6
9.9
tent, TO
Na2O
.4
2.9
2.9
.6
6.2
.7
8.7
4.5
4.6
2.0
4.6
1.3
P205
.2
.4
3.1
.2
1.1
.7
.4
.4
.6
.1
.2
.4
Si02
45.9
23.6
9.6
19.7
••
9.9
21.7
31.2
35.4
31.6
21.5
25.6
33.7
S03
10.6
19.1
17.3
14.8
23.7
15.1
13.7
8.8
9.0
21.7
8.9
9.5
TiO2
.5
.5
.4
.4
.3
.6
.6
.8
1.1
5
.9
1.2
Total
99.8
97.7
94.6
91.6
96.3
93.9
96.5
94.9
95.9
93.3
93.0
96.3
00
g
•3
>
to
r
PI
o
o
r
(O
0
c
X
B
GO
H
w
V
2
Z
O
H
2
>
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—SONNETTE, THREEMILE BUTTES
107
mapping the surface on black-and-white aerial photos or
on 7^-minute topographic quadrangle maps. Color photos
of the Custer National Forest obtained from the U.S.
Forest Service were used to complete the mapping of coal
outcrop and burn lines.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Yager Butte coal deposit is included in the report
on the Birney-Broadus coal field (Warren, 1959).
LAND OWNERSHIP
Most of the Yager Butte coal deposit is within the
boundaries of the Custer National Forest, which is ad-
ministered by the U.S. Forest Service, but a small portion
in T. 5 S., R. 47 E., lies outside the forest boundary. The
Federal Government has retained ownership of all the
coal, however.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The surface features in the Yager Butte coal deposit
consist of a broad rolling upland area that forms the di-
vide between Pumpkin Creek to the east and Otter Creek
to the west and breaks into precipitous slopes along the
valleys of Elk Creek, Fifteenmile Creek, Tenmile Creek,
and Threemile Creek. The burning of coal beds in the
area has created thick masses of multicolored clinker that
form resistant capping along the ridge sides. The ridges
between the tributaries of Otter Creek are relatively flat
and grass covered, and the sides support lush growths of
ponderosa pine and other vegetation. These tributaries
contain water in pools the year round but they flow only
during periods of heavy precipitation or spring runoff.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing.
Many nearby ranchers have grazing permits in the Na-
tional Forest.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Yager Butte coal deposit seem to be
nearly horizontal but show a very slight southwesterly dip.
CQAL BEDS
Coal beds in the Yager Butte coal deposit that contain
economically strippable reserves are, from top to bottom,
the Cook, Elk, and Dunning beds. Strippable reserves in
the Elk and Dunning coal beds are shown on Plate 23A
and those in the Cook bed on Plate 23 B. The Wall coal
bed has been identified in the northern part of the area
(PI. 34).
The Cook coal bed in the Yager Butte coal deposit is
in two benches 30 to 66 feet apart. In drill hole SH-7136,
sec. 33, T. 5 S., R. 47 E., the upper bench of the Cook is
19 feet thick, the lower bed is 11 feet thick, and the two
benches are 30 feet apart. In that same drill hole, a higher
coal bed 6 feet thick is identified as the Canyon coal bed.
To the north and northwest, the Cook beds thin. In drill
hole SH-7138, sec. 17, T. 5 S., R. 47 E., the Upper bench
is 6 feet thick, the lower bench is 9 feet, and the parting
is 66 feet. In drill hole SH-7139, sec. 15 of the same town-
ship, the upper bench of the Cook is 5 feet thick, the
lower bench is 8 feet, and the parting is 30 feet. The
upper bench of the Cook is missing farther north.
The Wall coal bed, 11 feet thick, is 72 to 130 feet be-
low the Cook bed in the mapped area. The Elk and Dun-
ning coal beds, shown on Plate 23A, have large reserves
within the mapped area. The Elk bed is 23 feet above the
Dunning bed in drill hole SH-7144, sec. 15, T. 5 S., R. 46 E.,
and 39 feet above it in an oil well in sec. 28, T. 4 S.,
R. 47 E. The Elk bed is 10 feet thick in an oil well in
sec. 28 (cross section, PI. 34) and is 21 feet thick in drill
hole SH-7145 in sec. 19, T. 4 S., R. 46 E. Thickness of
the Dunning bed ranges from 14 feet in drill holes SH-
7145 and SH-7146 to 20 feet in the oil well in sec. 28.
COAL QUALITY
Twenty-one core samples were obtained during the
field evaluation and were analyzed by the Montana Bu-
reau of Mines and Geology analytical laboratory. Proxi-
mate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating values are
shown in Table 68, and major ash constituents are shown
in Table 69.
COAL RESERVES
The indicated coal reserves in the Elk and Dunning
coal beds are 1,175,860,000 tons, and in the Cook bed
they are 312,020,000 tons. Total reserves in the Yager
Butte coal deposit are 1,487,880,000 tons (Table 67).
SONNETTE AND THREEMILE BUTTES
COAL DEPOSITS
LOCATION
The Sonnette area is in T. 3,4,5, and 6 S., R. 47,48,
and 49 E., Powder River County. The maps outlining the
strippable coal in the Sonnette area include the Threemile
Buttes (PI. 24) and the Sonnette (PI. 25A and B) coal de-
posits, which are discussed together because of the large
amount of overlap in the two deposits. The area is joined
on the north by the Pumpkin Creek coal deposit (PI. 15),
-------
108
STRIP?ABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
on the northwest it borders the Home Creek Butte coal
deposit (PI. 26), and on the south it borders the Diamond
Butte (PI. 19), Goodspeed Butte (PI. 20), and Fire Gulch
(Pi. 21) coal deposits. In the northwest corner of T. 4 S.,
R. 47 E., the area borders the Ashland coal deposit (PI.
ISA and B).
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
Reconnaissance field work in the area in 1967 in-
cluded the drilling of one hole in sec. 16, T. 5 S., R.48 E.
Additional holes were drilled during the 1971 field season
to explore the Cook, Canyon, and Ferry coal beds, and
part of the area was mapped on black-and-white aerial
photos. During the winter of 1972, the mapping was re-
fined by use of colored aerial photos borrowed from the
U.S. Forest Service. Field data were plotted on US. Geo-
logical Survey 7&-minute topographic quadrangle maps.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Sonnette area was included in the US. Geological
Survey report on the Birney-Broadus coal field (Warren,
1959). Strippable coal in the Pawnee bed was outlined in
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin 69 (Mat-
son, Dahl, and Blumer, 1968).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Sonnette area borders the Custer National Forest,
and the Threemile Buttes coal deposit (PI. 24) overlaps
onto the forest. East of the forest boundary, the owner-
ship is mixed; the State of Montana owns sec. 16 and 36
in each township, and the rest of the surface is privately
owned. The area is within the land grant to Burlington
Northern, Inc., and in T. 4 S., R. 48 E., and the eastern part
of T. 4 S., R. 47 E., the railroad owns the coal in odd-
numbered sections, but T. 5 S. is south of the railroad
land grant, and most of the coal there is federally owned.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The most prominent surface feature in the Sonnette
area is the Pumpkin Creek valley. Near Sonnette the
creek turns abruptly from east to north and flows north-
ward to join the Tongue River in T. 6 N., R. 48 E. The
burning of the Cook coal bed has formed resistant clinker
that supports flat-topped benches and ridges and steep
valley sides.
The valley sides are covered by ponderosa pine, but
the ridgetops are barren except for native grasses. Pump-
kin Creek is an intermittent stream, which flows only
during periods of heavy precipitation or spring runoff,
although ponds persist throughout the year. The valley is
Vi to 1 mile wide throughout most of its length in the
area. Most of its tributaries are short and steep except in
the southern part of the area. Numerous roads traverse
the eastern and southern part of the area. Sonnette Post
Office is in sec. 8, T. 5 S., R. 48 E.
Although the principal land use in the area is livestock
grazing, numerous fields are cultivated along the bottom
of Pumpkin Creek valley. In other parts of the area where
topographic conditions permit, winter wheat and other
grains are raised on summer fallowed tracts. Grazing
permits on the National Forest are allotted to nearby
ranchers.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
All the streams within the Sonnette area seem to be
structurally controlled. The most prominent streams and
ridge lines show definite northwest-southeast trends.
Drill data of the Pawnee coal bed show that the strata
dip gently to the southwest but reversals are numerous.
A structural depression in sec. 7,8, and 17, T. 4 S., R. 48 E.,
trends northwest. A structurally high area is mapped in
the northeast corner of T. 5 S., R. 48 E.
COAL BEDS
Coal beds of economic importance in the Sonnette
area include, from lowest to highest, the Pawnee, Cook,
Ferry, and Canyon beds, all of which have adequate thick-
ness and quality for economical stripping. The Pawnee
coal bed crops out along the sides of the Pumpkin Creek
valley in the western half of T. 4 S., R. 48 E., but passes
beneath alluvium in sec. 33. The greatest thickness of the
Pawnee is 22 feet, measured in drill hole SS-4, sec. 16,
T. 5 S., R. 48 E. In drill hole SH-7114, sec. 20, T. 4 S.,
R. 48 E., a 2-foot parting splits the bed into an upper
bench 12 feet thick and a lower bench 10 feet thick. To
the east and south, the Pawnee bed maintains a thickness
of 20 feet as far as the Fire Gulch coal deposit (PI. 21)
as it is that thick in drill hole SS-3, sec. 36, T. 5 S., R. 48 E.
Inferred reserves in the Pawnee coal bed are shown on the
east side of the mapped area, which is beyond the area
shown on adequate topographic maps. These reserves ex-
tend south into Cache Creek in the northwest corner of
T. 6 S., R. 49 E. Indicated reserves in the Pawnee coal
bed are mapped along the sides and bottom of Pumpkin
Creek valley and back of the outcrop along the east side
of the divide extending to sec. 36, T. 4 S., R. 48 E.
Strippable reserves in the Cook coal bed (PI. 25B),
which lies about 170 to 200 feet above the Pawnee bed,
cover a large area in the vicinity of Sonnette. Clinker
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—SONNETTE, THREEMILE BUTTES
109
Table 70.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Sonnette and Threemile Buttes coal deposits.
COOK BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
150 to 200
Total
84.23
125.73
100.09
52.93
362.98
Total
228.88
591.60
616.40
399.15
1,836.03
2.72
4.71
6.16
7.54
Average 5.06
Total
3,027.2
3,795.2
2,464.0
1.184.0
10,470.4
Average
27,826.2
33,130.4
40,620.9
44.704.4
34,668.6
PAWNEE BED
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
92.46 126.41 1.36
125.11 388.75 3.10
102.68 531.58 5.17
320.25 Total 1,046.74 Average 3.26
Total
2,374.4 38,940.4
3,212.8 38,941.1
2.636.8 38.941.1
8,224.0 Average 38,940.9
Thickness of Inferred reserves, Overburden,
overburden, ft. million tons million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
100 to 150
183.06
' 1,042.74
5.69
5,171
35,401.3
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Total reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
Total
126.41
388.75
1,574.28
2,089.44
Total
2,374.4
3.212.8
7.807.8
13,395.0
38,940.4
38,941.1
36.596.7
Average 37,574.5
CANYON and FERRY BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
107.99
96.48
20.93
Total 225.40
Total
360.43
733.87
204.12
1,298.42
3.33
7.60
9.75
Average 5.76
Total
6,764.8
6,060.8
1,011.2
13,836.8
15,963.5
15,918.7
20.698.2
Average 16,289.7
-------
Table 71 .-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Sonnette coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7114
4S 481 S20
A BAB
SH-711S
4S 481-; S34
DABD
SH-7116
4S 48F S29
CCAD
SH-7117
5S48ES7
BCAA
SH-7118
5S 48E S22
DCDA
SH-7120
4S 48E S36
CCCC
Depth
sampled
70 to
80ft.
80 to
90ft.
90 to
95 ft.
40 to
50ft.
50 to
56ft
30 to
37ft.
190to
192 ft.
72 to
82 fi.
114 to
119ft
38 to
41 ft.
78 to
86ft.
70 to
72ft.
Lab
number
362
363
364
365
366
367
372
368
369
370
371
375
Coal
bed
Pawnee
Proximate. %
Form of sulfur. %
Pawnee
Pawnee
Cook
Canyon
Cook
Cook
Torm of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
*
/ Moisture
34.410
33.120
36.240
36.280
31.970
36.370
28.980
35.000
34.380
36.960
38.680
33.740
Volatile
matter
26.826
40.899
43.855
24.964
37.326
46.005
25.653
40.234
44.491
26.568
41.695
44.396
27.555
40.505
47.226
26.361
41.429
46.489
23.128
32.565
50.603
25.786
39.671
44.079
26.656
40.621
47.051
26.709
42.369
47.054
25.665
41.855
46.015
26.688
40.278
50.439
Fixed
carbon
34.343
52.360
56.145
29.299
43.809
53.995
32.007
50,199
55.509
33.275
52.220
55.604
30.793
45.264
52.774
30.343
47.687
53.511
22.577
31.789
49.397
32.714
50.329
55.921
29.997
45.714
52.949
30.054
47.674
52.946
30.111
49.105
53.985
26.224
39.577
49.561
Ash
4.421
6.741
12.617
18.865
6.099
9.566
3.877
6.085
9.682
14.231
6.925
10.884
25.315
35.645
6.500
10.000
8.967
13.665
6.277
9.957
5.544
9.041
13.348
20.145
Sulfur
.149
.227
.243
1.042
1.558
1.921
.306
.481
.532
.191
.300
.319
.368
.542
.631
1.400
2.200
2.469
2.731
3.845
5.975
.736
1.133
1.259
1.655
2.523
2.922
.955
1.516
1.683
.842
1.374
1.510
1.995
3.010
3.770
Sulfatc
.016
.024
.026
.016
.024
.029
.007
.012
.013
.023
.036
.038
.337
.496 •
.578
.030
.047
.053
.024
.033
.052
.024
.037
.041
.031
.047
.054
.022
.035
.039
.023
.037
.040
.037
.057
.071
Pyritic
.000
.000
.000
.286
.428
.528
.022
.035
.039
.023
.036
.038
.024
.035
.040
.640
1.006
1.128
1.432
2.017
3.134
.190
.292
.325
.659
1.004
1.163
.235
.373
.414
.181
.294
.324
.967
1.460
1.828
Organic
.133
.203
.218
.740
1.106
1.363
.277
.434
.480
.145
.228
.243
.008
.012
.013
.730
1.148
1.288
1.275
1.795
2.789
.523
.804
.893
.966
1.472
1.705
.698
1.108
1.230
.639
1.043
1.146
.990
1.494
1.871
Heating
value (Btu)
7364
11227
12039
6624
9904
12206
6936
10878
12029
7228
11343
12078
7138
10492
12233
7902
12418
13935
5556
7824
12157
7186
11055
12283
7000
10668
12357
6904
10951
12162
6818
11119
12224
6547
9881
12374
co
H
2
hfl
3
u
H
O
O
^
r
v>
O
3
M
>
I
99
2
s
H
2
>
1
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 72.-Major ash constituents, Sonnette coal deposit.
Coal
Constituent,
and location
SH-7114
4S 48E S20
ABAB
SH-7115
4S 48E S34
DABD
SH-7116
4S 48E S29
CCAD
SH-7117
5S 48E S7
BCAA
SH-7118
5S 48E S22
DCDA
SH-7120
4S 48E S36
CCCC
r
sampled
70 to
95ft.
40 to
56ft.
30 to
37ft.
190to
192 ft.
72 to
82ft.
114 to
119ft.
38 to
41 ft.
78 to
86ft.
70 to
72ft.
sample bed A13O3 CaO FejOa K2O MgO Na2O P2OS SiOj SO3 TiO2 Total
Pawnee 22.8 14.1 4.8 .6 4.2 6.3 .4 33.7 10.6 .7 98.2
362-364
Pawnee 19.1 21.3 4.2 .2 7.4 .9 .4 34.8 7.9 .9 97.1
365-366
Pawnee 10.1 22.5 ' 10.8 .2 2.3 .7 .2 16.5 27.4 .3 91.0
367
Pawnee 17.7 3.4 10.4 3.0 2.3 .8 .1 50.3 5.2 .7 93.9
372
Cook 11.7 21.7 8.2 .4 5.5 7.2 .1 18.7 21.4 .4 95.3
368
Cook 13.5 15.4 11.8 .5 3.7 4.0 .2 22.7 22.2 .4 94.4
369
Canyon 11.7 22.0 9.6 .4 5.7 2.5 1.3 19.2 22.3 .4 95.1
370
Cook 11.5 24.2 7.9 .4 6.9 2.4 .8 18.7 23.5 .3 96.6
371
Cook 17.3 8.2 12.4 .6 3.4 .2 .4 45.3 5.9 .9 94.6
375
5
o
s
o
a
r
o
Q
o
CO
H
I
W
O
S
3
3!
B
a
P
W
a
%
-------
Table 73.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Threemile Buttes coal deposit.
Proximate, %
Form of sulfur. %
Drill hole
and location
SII-7118
5S R48t S22
IKUA
SH-7141
4S R47E S35
CBBA
SH-7142
4S R47E S23
CBBA
SH-7151
4S R47E S4
CADD
SH-7152
3SR47ES33
CBAB
Depth
sampled
38 to
41 ft
45 to
52 ft.
42 to
50ft.
90 to
91 ft.
91 to
93ft.
93 to
100 ft.
54 to
57ft.
Lab.
number
370
392
393
408
409
410
411
Coal
bed
Canyon
Canyon
Canyon
Canyon
Canyon
Form of
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
Moisture
36.960
36.820
38.100
36.390
38.230
38.680
36.190
Volatile
matter
26.709
42.369
47.054
27.686
43.821
47.013
26.517
42.839
45.685
25.199
39.615
45.888
26.227
42.460
46.733
25.684
41.886
46.157
26.627
41.729
45.021
Fixed
carbon
30.054
47.674
52.946
31.204
49.389
52.987
31.527
50.932
54.315
29.716
46.715
54.112
29.894
48.396
53.267
29.962
48.861
53.843
32.516
50.958
54.979
Ash
6.277
9.957
4.290
6.790
3.856
6.230
8.695
13.670
5.649
9.145
5.674
9.253
4.667
7.314
Sulfur
.955
1.516
1.683
.451
.714
.766
.389
.628
.670
2.547
4.004
4.637
.988
1.599
1.760
.658
1.072
1.182
.604
.947
1.021
Sulfate
.022
.035
.039
.027
.043
.046.
.034
.054
.058
.084
.133
.154
.020
.033
.036
.054
.088
.097
.022
.034
.036
Pyritic
.235
.373
.414
.061
.097
.104
.067
.108
.116
1.520
2.389
2.767
.291
.471
.518
.108
.177
.195
.230
.361
.389
Organic
.698
1.108
1.230
.362
.573
.615
.288
.466
.497
.943
1.482
1.717
.676
1.095
1.205
.495
.807
.889
.352
.552
.596
Heating
value (Btu)
6904
10951
12162
7080
11206
12022
6904
11153
11894
6716
10559
12230
6688
10828
11918
6646
10838
11943
7133
11179
12061
CO
2
•3
CD
M
O
O
r
co
o
G
X
PI
CO
»
Z
MONTANA
/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Drill hole
and location
SH-7118
5S48ES22
DCDA
SH-7141
4S 47E S35
CBBA
SH-7142
4S47ES23
CBBA
SH-71S1
4S 47E S4
CADD
SH-7152
3S47tS33
CBAB
Table 74. -Major ash constituents, Threemile Buttes coal deposit.
Depth Lab. Coal Constituent, %
sampled sample bed A12O3 CaO FejOa KjO MgO NaaO P2O5 SiOj S03 TiO2 Total
•
Canyon 11.7 22.0 9.6 .4 5.7 2.5 1.3 19.2 22.3 .4 95.1
38 to
41 ft. 370
Canyon 8.9 34.2 5.8 .2 9.0 1.0 1.5 17.1 19.1 .4 97.2
45 to
52 ft. 392
Canyon 8.9 28.7 7.5 .2 12.9 2.0 1.0 14.6 19.3 .4 95.5
42 to
50 ft. 393
Canyon 9.5 20.1 9.8 .1 6.5 2.4 2.2 11.2 27.8 .3 89.9
90 to
100 ft. 408-410
Canyon 7.1 23.8 9.8 .2 15.0 .7 .1 15.4 24.0 .4 96.5
54 to
57ft. 411
INDIVIDUAL DEI
V
O
a
H
T
Cfl
O
z
55
w
H
w
s
ft
a
P
n
03
^
n
CO
u>
-------
114
STR1PPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
formed where it burned produces very steep ridges on the
sides of Pumpkin Creek valley. The coal bed consists of
two benches 22 feet apart at the north and about 40 feet
at the southeast side of the mapped area. The upper bench
is 10 feet thick as measured in drill hole SH-7117 and 16
feet in SH-7119 in sec. 12, T. 5 S., R. 48 E. The lower
bench is 6 feet thick in SH-7119 and 10 feet in drill hole
SH-7117.
About 50 feet above the Cook beds is the Ferry coal
bed, and 50 to 100 feet higher is the Canyon coal bed,
which consists of two benches in T. 5 S., R. 47 and 48 E.,
shown on the Threemile Buttes coal deposit (PI. 24). In
drill hole SH-7121, sec. 16, T. 6 S., R. 48 E., in the Dia-
mond Butte coal deposit (PI. 19), the Canyon is a single
bed 7 feetthick, and in SH-7136 in sec. 33,T. 5 S., R. 47 E.,
it is 6 feet thick. One bench of the Canyon bed thickens
northward and in SH-7141 in sec. 35, T. 4 S., R. 47 E.,
it is 13 feet thick. In drill hole SH-7143, sec. 15,
the upper bench is 4 feet thick and the lower bench 13
feet.
The Ferry coal bed is thin and discontinuous in the
southern part of the area, but in the northern part it is 17
feet thick in drill hole SH-7152, sec. 33, T. 3 S., R.47 E.,
and 13 feet thick in drill hole SH-7151, sec. 4, T. 4 S.,
R.47E. In drill hole SH-7142, sec. 23, T.4 S., R.47 E., it
is 6 feet thick.
COAL QUALITY
Nineteen core samples were obtained on this project
and were analyzed by the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology analytical laboratory. Proximate analysis, forms
of sulfur, and heating value are shown for the Sonnette
coal deposit in Table 71 and for the Threemile Buttes
coal deposit in Table 73. Major ash constituents in the
Sonnette coal deposit are shown in Table 72 and in the
Threemile Buttes coal deposit in Table 74.
COAL RESERVES
The indicated reserves in the Pawnee coal bed are
320,250,000 tons, and inferred reserves are 183,060,000
tons, a total of 503310,000 tons. The two benches of
the Cook coal bed have indicated reserves of 362,980,000
tons, and total reserves in the Sonnette coal deposit are
866,290,000 tons (Table 70).
The Canyon coal bed and the Ferry coal bed in the
Threemile Buttes deposit contain indicated reserves of
225,400,000 tons (Table 74).
Table 75.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Home Creek Butte coal deposit.
CANYON and FERRY BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to 150
36.59
93.71
86.91
Total 217.21
Total
46.34
269.49
363.47
679.30
1.26
2.87
4.18
Average 3.12
Total
870.4 42,038.1
2,227.2 42,075.3
1.753.6 49.560.9
4,851.2 Average 44,774.5
HOME CREEK BUTTE COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Home Creek Butte coal deposit (PI. 26) is in T. 2
and 3 S., R.47 E., and a very small portion of the deposit
laps over into sec. 24 and 25, T. 2 S., R. 46 E., Powder
River County. U.S. Highway 212 crosses the southern
boundary of the mapped area. On the west, the area bor-
ders the Ashland coal deposit (PI. 13), and on the south,
it nearly adjoins the Threemile Buttes coal deposit (PI.
24). To the east, the area nearly adjoins the Pumpkin
Creek coal deposit (PI. 15), and it is overlapped on the
north by the Little Pumpkin Creek coal deposit (PI. 27).
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work was completed in 1971 and included
the drilling of two holes, SH-7153 and SH-7154, sec. 10,
T. 3 S., R. 47 E. Data from an additional hole in sec. 33,
T. 2 S., R. 47 E., were obtained from a private company.
Clinker and burn lines were mapped in the winter of 1972
with the aid of colored aerial photos borrowed from the
U.S. Forest Service.
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—LITTLE PUMPKIN CREEK
115
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Home Creek Butte coal deposit area was mapped
by Bass (1932).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Home Creek Butte coal deposit lies within the
Custer National Forest. The Federal Government owns
the surface and coal.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Home Creek Butte coal deposit is on the high di-
vide separating Little Pumpkin Creek from the East Fork
of Otter Creek and Home Creek, both of which are tribu-
taries of Otter Creek. Beaver Creek drains the northwest-
ern part of the area.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing,
but some land is cultivated by dry-land farming to pro-
duce wheat and other grain. Some timber is cut in the
area and hauled to nearby Ashland for saw lumber.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
Very little structural information is available in this
area, but the information that is available indicates that
the Ferry coal bed is nearly horizontal. The altitude of
its top in sec. 33, T. 2 S., R. 47 E., is 21 feet lower than
in drill hole SH-7154, sec. 10, T. 3 S., R. 47 E.
COAL BEDS
The Ferry coal bed is 24 feet thick, and in drill hole
SH-7154, it is 76 feet below the Canyon bed, which is 10
feet thick. In T. 2 S., R. 47 E., only the Ferry coal bed
contains strippable reserves. Although the Canyon coal
bed may remain unburned in some places, it has only mini-
mal reserves. The names Ferry and Canyon have been car-
ried north from the Birney-Broadus area (Warren, 1959),
where they are correlated with the coal beds in the Three-
mile Buttes coal deposit (PI. 24) to the south.
COAL QUALITY
No analytical data were collected or available for coal
in this coal deposit. It was assumed that the coal is similar
to that in the Threemile Buttes coal deposit farther south.
COAL RESERVES
The indicated reserves in the Ferry and Canyon coal
beds are 217,210,000 tons (Table 75).
Table 76.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Little Pumpkin Creek coal deposit.
SAWYER, A, C and D, X, and E BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Inferred reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
0 to 100
Total
69.06
55.74
46.38
44.65
215.83
Total
179.70
264.71
457.87
231.56
1,133.84
Average
2.6
4.7
9.8
5.2
5.3
Total
2,205.4
2,015.2
1,433.6
2.880.0
8^34.2
Average
31,314.0
27,659.8
32,352.1
15.503.5
25,290.0
LITTLE PUMPKIN CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Little Pumpkin Creek coal deposit (PI. 27) is in
T. 1 and 2 S., R.47 and 48 E., Powder River County. The
deposit, confined to the sides and bottom of the valley
of Little Pumpkin Creek, is overlapped on its north side
by the Foster Creek coal deposit (PI. 16A, B, and C).The
area adjoins the Pumpkin Creek coal deposit (PI. 15) to
the east, the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit
(PI. 29) to the northwest, the Ashland coal deposit (PI.
13A and B) to the west, and the Home Creek Butte coal
deposit (PI. 26) to the southwest.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the Little Pumpkin Creek coal de-
posit was minimal and included only brief reconnaissance
mapping on 7&-minute topographic quadrangle maps.
-------
116
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Color aerial photos lent by the U.S. Forest Service were
utilized for drawing the coal outcrops and burn lines.
Some private company drill holes shown on the map (PI.
27) as L.P.C. drill holes, provided information on coal
thickness, and the report by Bass (1932) provided addi-
tional figures on coal thickness.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Little Pumpkin Creek area was included in the re-
port on the Ashland coal field (Bass, 1932).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Little Pumpkin Creek area lies within the land
grant to Burlington Northern, Inc., which has retained
the coal rights, although it has conveyed the surface. The
State of Montana owns the surface and minerals in sec. 16
and 36 in T. 1 S., R. 47 and 48 E., and some additional
land in T. 1 S., R. 47 E. The Federal Government owns a
large part of the surface and some coal rights in T. 2 S.,
R. 47 and 48 E., besides that part of the area included
within Custer National Forest.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
Little Pumpkin Creek has deeply incised a broad
northward-trending valley, on both sides of which the
terrain rises to steep-sided, high ridges. Clinker zones are
numerous. Little Pumpkin Creek and its tributaries are
intermittent streams, but Little Pumpkin Creek and some
of the larger tributaries contain ponds of water all year.
The principal land uses in the area are livestock grazing,
the raising of hay in valley meadows, and dry-land farming
on summer fallowed fields. Dense forests on the west side
of Little Pumpkin Creek support logging operations.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
Very little information on the structure is available,
but the strata seem to be almost horizontal.
COAL BEDS
The coal beds in the Little Pumpkin Creek area that
contain strippable coal are, from top to bottom, the E,
X, C and D, Sawyer, and A beds. The Knobloch bed may
be counted also, because it contains strippable coal along
Little Pumpkin Creek (PI. 16A).
The E coal bed, about 7 feet thick (Bass, 1932), is 70
to 100 feet above the X bed. The X coal bed is about 8
feet thick and is about 40 to 80 feet above the C and D
bed. Thickness of the clinker where the C and D coal beds
have burned along Green Creek in the northern part of
T. 2 S., R. 47 E., and along Stacey Creek in the southern
part of T. 1 S., R. 47 E., indicates a coal thickness in ex-
cess of 10 feet.
The C and D coal beds are 80 to 100 feet above the
Sawyer bed, which is 31 feet thick in drill hole PC-31,
sec. 21, T. 2 S., R.48 E. (PI. 15). According to Carmichael
(1967), the A bed splits from the Sawyer somewhere be-
tween PC-31 and sec. 32, T. 1 S., R. 48 E. The parting
between the A bed and the Sawyer bed is prominent on
both sides of Little Pumpkin Creek and averages about
40 feet in thickness. Farther south along Little Pumpkin
Creek in the gamma log of an oil well in sec. 23, T. 2 S.,
R. 47 E., the Sawyer bed is 31 feet thick and seems to be
combined with the A bed in this area. A coal bed 5 feet
thick here lies 12 feet above the Sawyer bed.
The Sawyer and A coal beds thin on the west side of
Little Pumpkin Creek in the center of T. 1 S., R. 47 E., and
range in thickness from 6 to 9 feet.
COAL QUALITY
No core samples have been obtained from the Little
Pumpkin Creek area, but the quality is believed to be
similar to that in the Pumpkin Creek, Foster Creek, and
the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek areas.
COAL RESERVES
The coal reserves in the Little Pumpkin Creek area are
classified as inferred because of the lack of drill holes in
the area. The inferred reserves in the E coal bed, the X
coal bed, the C and D coal bed, the Sawyer coal bed, and
the A coal bed total 215,830,000 tons (Table 76).
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—SAND CREEK
117
Table 77.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Sand Creek coal deposit.
KNOBLOCH BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
Total
138.26
306.35
148.05
592.66
Average
1.4
2.3
3.9
2.22
Total
36,974.2
51,145.6
52,070.8
Average 44,914.4
SAND CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Sand Creek coal deposit (PI. 28) is in portions of
T. 1 N. and 1 S., R. 49 and 50 E., Custer and Powder River
Counties. The area is about 50 miles south of Miles City
on U.S. Highway 312, which traverses the southwest cor-
ner of the area. The Sand Creek coal deposit is a few miles
north of the Broadus coal deposit (PI. 17) and a few miles
east of the Foster Creek coal deposit (PI. 16A, B, and C).
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
Field work in the Sand Creek coal deposit, completed
in 1967 under a cooperative project between Burlington
Northern, Inc., and the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology, consisted of three drill holes and an altimeter
survey conducted to gather topographic information for
control in preparation of an overburden map. The field
procedures followed those established by Burlington
Northern (Carmichael, 1967). A structure-contour and
overburden map was prepared by Loren A. Williams of
Burlington Northern, Inc.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The southern part of the Sand Creek coal field was
mapped and described in the U. S. Geological Survey re-
port on the Coalwood coal field (Bryson, 1952). The
northern part of the area is included in U, S. Geological
Survey report on the Mizpah coal field (Parker and
Andrews, 1939). Brown'and others (1954) and Ayler,
Smith, and Deutman (1969) also describes the strippable
coal.
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Sand Creek coal deposit lies within the boundaries
of the land grant to Burlington Northern, Inc. Although
the railroad has conveyed the surface, it has retained own-
ership of the coal in odd-numbered sections within the
area. The State of Montana owns sec. 16 and 36 in each
township including both surface and mineral rights; the
rest of the surface is privately owned. Although individ-
uals may own a small amount of coal, the Federal Gov-
ernment retained the coal rights on most of the even-
numbered sections.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Sand Creek coal deposit is in a mesa that has a
rolling surface particularly well suited for strip mining.
In the south end of the deposit, the sides of the mesa
are very steep and dissected, but the top is flat or gently
rolling.
Approximately three-quarters of the area is utilized
for dry-land farming. The rest is used for livestock graz-
ing. Thick clinker above the burned Knobloch coal bed
retains adequate moisture to support stands of ponderosa
pine trees along the sides of the mesa.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
Although very little structural information is available,
altitudes of the top of the Knobloch coal bed, as m asured
in drill holes, show that the strata dip to the north (r'. 28).
COAL BEDS
The Knobloch coal bed, in the lower part of the
Tongue River Member, contains the strippable coal re-
serves in the Sand Creek coal deposit. The Knobloch bed
consists of two to four distinct benches. In drill hole SC-1,
sec. 23, T. 1 N., R. 49 E., the Knobloch bed is in two
benches; the upper bench is 17 feet thick, the lower is 15
feet, and the parting is only 3 feet. About 2 miles south-
west, in drill hole SC-3, sec. 1, T. 1 S., R.49 E., the Knob-
loch is split into four distinct benches. The upper Knob-
-------
Table 78.-Ptoximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and heating value, Sand Creek coal deposit.
00
Drill hole
and location
SC-1C
IN 4^1:
COK
S23
Depth
sampled
51 to
68 ft
71 to
86 It.
USBM
number
1-73091
1-73092
Coal
bed
Knobloch
Form of
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
Moisture
31.10
32.57
Proximate^ '
Volatile
matter
27.81
40.37
45.89
28.30
41.97
45.38
* Ultimate. %
Fixed
carbon
32.81
47.61
54 11
34.06
50.52
54.62
Ash
8.28
12.02
5.07
7.51
Sulfur
.29
.42
.48
.31
46
.50
Hydrogen
6.46
4.36
4.96
6.71
4.59
4.96
Carbon
43.14
62.62
71.17
44.64
66.20
71.58
Nitrogen
.63
.92
1.04
.65
.96
1.04
Oxygen
41.20
19.66
22.35
42.62
20.28
21.92
Heating
value (Btu)
7220
10480
11910
7460
11060
11960
/A, as received, B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
Drill hole Depth Lab.
and location sampled sample
5
Table 79. -Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash, Sand Creek coal deposit.
Fusibilitv of ajh.°F
Initial
Coal Constituent, % deformation Softening Fluid
bed A12O3 CaO FejO3 KjO MgO NajO PjO5 SiOj SO3 TiOj Total tomp. temp. temp.
o
0
f-
tn
o
s
X
PI
>
en
P)
Z
Z,
O
2j
>
>
SC-1C 51 to GF-67- Knobloch 13.2 20.2 4.6 .63 6.6 1.9 .63 45.5 6.6 .84 100.7 2120
IN 49E S23 68 ft. 794
71 to GF-67-
86 ft. 795
12.5 33.0 6.4 .64 7.7 .50 1.04 20.0 12.4 .45 94.6 2460
2160 2200
2500 2540
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—BEAVER CREEK-LISCOM CREEK
119
loch bench seems to have split into three benches, 7 feet,
8 feet, and 8 feet thick; the lower or fourth bench is 14
feet thick. In drill hole SC-2, in sec. 9, T. 1 S., R. 50 E.,
the Knobloch bed again is in two benches; the upper
bench is 7 feet thick and the lower bench is 10 feet. The
thickness of the parting between the upper and lower
benches of the Knobloch coal bed increases markedly
from north to south across the coal deposit. At the north-
ern end, the two benches are separated by a 3-foot part-
ing in drill hole SC-1C, but in drill hole SC-2, thickness
of the parting has increased to 43 feet.
COAL QUALITY
Both benches of the Knobloch coal bed were cored in
drill hole SC-1C, sec. 23, T. 1 N., R. 49 E., during the
1967 cooperative field program. The cores were analyzed
by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Grand Forks Coal Research
Laboratory. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and
heating value are shown in Table 78; major ash constitu-
ents and fusibility of ash are shown in Table 79.
COAL RESERVES
Reserves in the Knobloch coal bed total 267,340,000
tons (Table 77).
BEAVER CREEK-LISCOM CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit is in
T. 1 N. and 1 S., R. 45 and 46 E. (PI. 29), Powder River
and Rosebud Counties. The northern and western bound-
aries of the coal deposit are the lowlands along the valley
of the Tongue River where erosion has removed the coal
beds, and the southern boundary is the high area of the
Cook Mountains where overburden is too great for po-
tential strip mining of the coal. To the east, the area bor-
ders the Foster Creek coal deposit (PI. 16A, B, and C),
and to the southeast it borders the Little Pumpkin Creek
coal deposit (PI. 27). To the south, the area borders the
Ashland coal deposit (PI. 13A and B).
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek area,
completed in the summer of 1970, included drilling num-
erous exploration holes and mapping the surface on topo-
graphic quadrangle maps and on black-and-white aerial
photos. Color photos, borrowed from the US. Forest
Service, were used in mapping the south half of T. 1 N.,
R. 46 E., and T. 1 S., R. 45 and 46 E.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek area was included in
the report on the Ashland coal field (Bass, 1932). The
eastern corner of the mapped area overlaps the Foster
Creek coal deposit (PI. 16A, B, and C), which was dis-
cussed in Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin
73 (Gilmour and Williams, 1969), and two drill holes in-
cluded in the Foster Creek report are shown on Plate 29.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The most prominent surface features in the mapped
area are the wide northwest-trending valleys of Liscom
Creek and Beaver Creek, both tributaries of the Tongue
River. The area is characterized by gently rolling grassland
and long steep-sided clinker-capped ridges. The divide be-
tween Liscom Creek and Beaver Creek is a dissected
ridge bordered by steep slopes and cliffs of thick resistant
clinker formed by the burning of the Knobloch coal bed.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing,
supplemented by dry-land farming. The principal crops
are hay and grains.
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit lies with-
in the land grant to Burlington Northern, Inc., and the
coal on the odd-numbered sections has been retained by
the railroad, although the surface has been conveyed. The
State of Montana owns the surface and the minerals in
sec. 16 and 36 of each township and some additional land
in T. 1 S., R.45 and 46 E. The Federal Government owns
the coal in most of the rest of the area and has a fairly
large amount of the surface in T. 1 N., R. 45 E., and a
few isolated tracts in T. 1 N., R. 46 E., besides the part
of T. 1 S., R. 46 E., that is within the Custer National
Forest.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Beaver Creek area are almost hori-
zontal but dip slightly to the west. The Knobloch coal
bed is structurally highest in drill hole SH-7083, in sec. 2,
T. 1 S., R. 46 E. This structural high seems to coincide
with the divide between Beaver Creek and Liscom Creek.
A northeast-trending fault in the vicinity of drill hole
SH-7078, sec. 36, T. 1 S., R. 45 E., has downdropped the
strata on the southeast side about 40 feet.
COAL BEDS
The coal beds that have economic value in the Beaver
Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit are, from top to bottom,
the Knobloch, Flowers-Goodale, and Terret beds. The
-------
120
STRIPPABLE COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
Table 80.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Beaver Creek-Uscom Creek coal deposit.
TERRET, FLOWERS-GOODALE.and KNOBLOCH BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to ISO
175.80
294.89
156.80
Total 627.49
Total
490.10
1,559.98
1.069.82
3,119.90
2.78
5.29
6.82
Average 4.97
8,236.8
12,441.6
S.248.0
Total 25,926.4
21,343.2
23,701.1
29.878.0
Average 24,203.1
KNOBLOCH BED
Oto 50
SO to 100
100 to 150
Total
Total
292.13
938.91
1.069.82
2,300.86
2.40
4.40
6.82
Average 4.68
Total
4,518.4
7,308.8
5.248.0
17,075.2
26,934.3
29,159.4
29.878.0
Average 28,791.8
TERRET BED
Thickness of Indicated reserves,
overburden, ft. million tons
Oto SO
10.26
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
51.45
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
5.01
Acres
966.4
Tons/acre
10,616.7
FLOWERS-GOODALE BED
Oto 50
SO to 100
43.84
81.77
Total 125.61
146.52
621.07
Total 767.59
3.34 2,752.0
7.59 5.132.8
Average 6.11 Total 7,884.8
15,930.2
15.930.9
Average 15,930.7
Knobloch coal bed contains the largest amount of strip-
pable reserves in the area and has a maximum measured
thickness of 22 feet in drill hole SH-7075, sec. 32,T. 1 S.,
R. 45 E. It thins and splits northeastward and has a thick-
ness of 14 feet in two benches in drill hole SH-7091,
sec. 16, T. 1 N., R. 46 E. The lower bench of the Knob-
loch has previously been mapped as the Lay Creek coal
bed in parts of the area, but drill hole SH-7075, sec. 32,
T. 1 S., R. 45 E., indicates that the Lay Creek bed is a
split from the Knobloch bed. Throughout T. 1 S., R. 45
and 46 E., the "Lay Creek" coal bed maintains a thick-
ness of 5 to 6 feet, except in drill hole SH-7083, where
it is only 4 feet thick. The Flowers-Goodale bed is thick-
est in the northeast part of the area. In drill hole SH-7083,
in sec. 2, T. 1 S., R. 46 E., it is 12 feet thick; in drill hole
SH-7076, in sec. 14, T. 1 S., R. 45 E., it is 9 feet thick.
The Tenet coal bed is 10 feet thick in drill hole SH-7083
and 6 feet thick in drill hole SH-7076.
The thick stratigraphic section penetrated in drill hole
SH-7083 shows the relationship of the coal beds. In this
drill hole, the section between the Knobloch and "Lay
Creek" beds a at its maximum of 88 feet, from top to
top. The section between the Flowers-Goodale and Terret
beds is 43 feet, about the same as in drill hole SH-7076.
In SH-7083, the section between the Knobloch and
Flowers-Goodale beds is 188 feet, and it decreases west-
ward to about 100 feet in sec. 36, T. 1 N., R. 45 E.
-------
Table 81 .-Proximate analysis,' forms of sulfur, and heating value, Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit.
oximate. %
Form of sulfur. %
Drillhole
and location
SH-7074
IS 4SE S20
BAAD
SH-7076
1S45ES14
ODBD
SH-7077
1S4SES34
ABBB
SH-7079
1S46K S28
BBCC
SH 7080
is 46i S:H
f'ACM
SI I 7081
IS46I' -S2
t (( I)
SH 7084
IN 451 VJf>
HA Ml)
•M-ltm
IN46I'M»
•;ll -70V ;
lit M,\
Depth Lab.
sampled number
100 to
106 ft. 307
106 to
116ft. 308
116 to
120ft. 309
53 to
62ft. 311
92 to
100ft. 312
1 00 to
109ft. 313
42 to
52ft. 314
85 to
95 ft. 315
95 to
100 II 3Ui
10) to
105 II, 1IH
54 lo
M It 119
67 to
77 ft, I.M>
9 1 lo
101 ll U2
'il lo
',0f|. \J\
.in- „«
Coal
bed
Knobloch
Flowers-
Goodale
Knobloch
Knobloch
Knobloch
Kitohloi'h
Howcu-
(illOllulO
Knoliloch
Kiioliliu'li
1 curl
Form of i
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
It
C'
A
I)
C
A
II
C
A
II
C
A
(l
C
Moisture
27.530
28.010
29.160
27.770
28.910
30.220
30.530
29.740
3 1 .080
26.140
29.000
27.570
29.760
29.580
28.990
Volatile
matter
28.517
39.349
43.659
28.170
39.131
44.962
25.519
36.024
40.168
28.100
38.904
43.848
28.094
39.518
43.203
27.678
39.665
42.773
26.697
38.429
42.324
27.247
38.781
43.415
37.536
54.463
59.488
29.876
40.456
47.955
11
26 598
36.7 2 3
•15. A78
27.421
39.038
44.211
28.4H5
40.450
45 III
26.921
V/,912
41.26.1
Fixed
carbon
36.800
50.780
56.341
34.484
47.901
55.038
38.013
53.660
59.832
35.986
49.821
56.152
36.933
51.952
56.797
37.031
53.069
57.227
36.380
52.368
57.676
35.512
50.544
56.585
25.563
37.091
40.512
32.427
43.904
52.047
-^•850
.51.901
56.310
.12.016
44.203
54.622
34.571
49.218
55.767
34 639
49 217
54*889
38 122
li:/*?
Ash
7.154
9.871
9.336
12.968
7.308
10.316
8.144
11.275
6.063
8.529
5.071
7.267
6.394
9.203
7.501
10.675
5.821
8.446
11.557
15.647
m
13.816
19.074
8249
11.744
7.276
10.332
5,767
tUM
Sulfur
.496
.684
.759
.512
.711
.817
.241
.341
.380
.961
1.331
1.500
.600
.844
.923
.413
.593
.639
.472
.680
.749
.279
.397
.444
.199
.289
.315
.856
1.159
1.374
.380
•813
l'l22
1^86
too
f.093
1.238
263
373
416
691
IJX59
Sulfate
.016
.022
.025
.008
.011
.013
.008
.012
.013
.016
.022
.025
.032
.045
.049
.008
.011
.012
.008
.011
.012
.016
.023
.025
.017
.024
.026
.026
.035
.041
110
.154
.168
.017
.023
.029
.016
.023
.026
.000
.000
.000
025
.035
.038
Pyritic
.366
.505
.560
.179
.248
.285
.092
.129
.144
.759
1.051
1.185
.456
.641
.701
.195
.279
.301
.325
.468
.515
.104
.147
.165
.017
.024
.026
.548
.742
.879
.127
178
.193
516
.713
.881
.509
.725
.821
.008
.012
.013
.499
.703
.765
Organic
.114
.157
.174
.325
.451
.519
.141
.200
.223
.186
.257
.290
.112
.158
.172
.211
.302
.325
.139
.201
.221
.159
.227
.254
.166
.241
.263
.282
.382
.453
.143
.202
.219
279
.386
.477
.242
.345
.391
.254
.361
.403
.166
.234
Heating
value (Brui
8417
11614
12886
8052
11185
12852
8237
11627
12965
8102
11217
12642
8383
11793
12892
8401
12039
12983
7871
11330
12479
.is;
12640
7925
11499
12560
7918
10721
12710
8271
11649
12639
7362
10164
12559
7771
11063
12535
7908
11230
12524
8170
11506
12523
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CREEK
/A, *a HMflveiJ, II, ni'/lalim li.ie, I , niuUtuir ami uili tier
-------
Table 82. -Major ash constituents, Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek coal deposit.
K)
Drill hole
and location
SH-7074
1S45ES20
BAAD
SH-7076
1S45ES14
DDBD
SH-7077
IS 45E S34
ABBB
SH-7079
IS 46E S28
HBCC
SH-7080
IS46ES34
CACB
SH-7083
1S46ES2
OCCD
SH-7084
1N45ES36
BAUD
SH-7092
1N46ES18
ADDD
SH-7093
1 N 46E S30
ABCC
SH-7094
1N45ES16
BBDA
Depth
sampled
100 to
120 ft.
53 to
62ft.
92 to
109ft
42 to
52ft.
85 to
100 ft.
103 to
105 ft.
54 to
61 ft.
93 to
101 ft.
52 to
60 It
38 to
44ft.
Lab. Coal
sample bed
Knobloch
307-309
Flowers-
Goodale
311
Knobloch
312-313
Knobloch
314
Knobloch
315-316
Knobloch
318
Flowcrs-
Goodale
319
Knobloch
322
Knobloch
323
Tcrrct
324
Constituent, %
A12O3 CaO Fe2O3 K2O MgO Na2O P2O} Si02 SO3 TiO2 Total
15.9 16.5 3.8 .7 5.4 .8 .2 44.6 9.3 .7 97.9
15.3 13.2 14.7 .5 4.4 .2 .4 30.2 17.7 .5 97.1
17.2 23.0 5.6 .2 8.3 3.1 .3 24.3 15.1 .4 97.5
13.8 21.6 8.7 .1 6.7 .4 .2 31.2 15.3 .6 98.6
12.9 17.4 4.7 .2 6.3 1.2 .2 46.0 7.8 .9 97.6
7.9 14.8 7.5 .1 3.6 .7 .2 49.7 12.1 1.0 97.6
16.9 114 6.0 .8 3.8 .5 .1 50.7 7.6 .7 98 JS
•
15.2 16.8 12.8 .3 3.5 1.2 1 28.4 18.0 .6 96.9
13.6 20.5 6.4 .1 3.7 3.6 1.4 40.9 7.4 1.2 98.8
9.5 19.9 12.2 .1 7.4 1.0 .2 19.8 21.6 .2 91.9
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-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—GREENLEAF CREEK-MILLER CREEK
123
COAL QUALITY
The fifteen core samples obtained were analyzed by
the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology analytical
laboratory. Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heat-
ing value are shown in Table 81, and major ash constitu-
ents are shown in Table 82.
COAL RESERVES
Strippable reserves in the Beaver Creek-Liscom Creek
coal deposit total 627,490,000 tons, of which the Knob-
loch bed accounts for 491,620,000 tons (Table 80).
GREENLEAF CREEK-MILLER CREEK
COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal deposit (PI. 30)
in parts of T. 1 and 2 S., R. 42 and 43 E., Rosebud County,
is bounded on the south by the Northern Cheyenne In-
dian Reservation north boundary, on the east by the
Tongue River valley, and on the west by the valley of
Rosebud Creek.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work in the Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek
area during the summer of 1970 was followed in the sum-
mer of 1972 by geologic mapping on black-and-white
aerial photos and 7^-minute topographic quadrangle
maps. Overburden maps were prepared during the follow-
ing winter.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek area lies within the
land grant to Burlington Northern, Inc., whereby the rail-
road was granted available odd-numbered sections along
its right-of-way. Although the railroad has retained own-
ership of the mineral rights, it has conveyed most of the
surface. The State of Montana owns sec. 16 and 36 in
each township and has retained its surface and mineral
rights. In the rest of the area, most of the surface is pri-
vately owned, but most of the coal is owned by the Fed-
eral Government.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
Much of the coal deposit underlies an asymmetric ridge
forming the divide between the northeastward-flowing
Greenleaf Creek on the east and the northward-flowing
Miller Creek on the west. Both of these intermittent
streams are tributaries of Rosebud Creek. A few knobs
on the crest of the ridge are capped by the clinker that re-
sulted from burning of the Sawyer coal bed. The western
side of the ridge rises abruptly from the coal outcrop to
the crest, but the eastern side is broad and rolling. Farther
east, the topography becomes more rugged as the clinker
of the burned Knobloch bed is encountered; valleys be-
come narrow and steep sided. Farther south, the clinker
of the Sawyer bed forms a sharp ridgeline.
The principal land use in the area is livestock grazing
supplemented by some dry-land fanning and raising of
hay in meadows along the valley bottoms of Greenleaf
Creek and Miller Creek. The clinkered areas are covered
with stands of ponderosa pine.
The area has been mapped by the U S. Geological Sur-
vey (Bass, 1932). Strippable coal was described in later
reports by Kepferle (1954) and Ayler, Smith, and Deut-
man (1969).
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal de-
posit are almost horizontal, but show an apparent dip to
Table 83.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal deposit.
ROSEBUD, KNOBLOCH, and SAWYER BEDS
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto SO
SO to 100
100 to ISO
Total
135.8 240.56 1.77
196.01 823.97 4.20
121.90 740.70 6.07
453.71 Total 1,805.22 Average 3.97
Total
4,480.0
6,790.4
3.648.0
14,918.4
30,312.5
28,865.7
33.415.6
Average 30,413.5
-------
Table 84.-Proximate analysis, forms of sulfur, and heating value, Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7096
1S43ES28
DBBA
Proximate. %
Form of sulfur. %
SH-7097
1S43ES34
CBCB
SH-7098
1S43ES32
BDCC
SH-7099
2S 43E S6
BDDA
SH-70100
1S42ES36
ACBB
SH-70101
IS 42E S24
BCCA
SH-70102
1S43ES16
BADA
Depth
sampled
59 to
67ft.
67 to
74 ft.
74 to
83 ft.
43 to
45 ft.
77 to
86ft.
58 to
68ft.
68 to
78 ft.
125 to
133 ft.
92 to
100 ft.
100 to
102 ft.
43 to
50 ft.
50 to
55 ft.
41 to
51ft.
51 to
59 ft.
59 to
61 ft.
210 to
216 ft.
216to
226 ft.
Lab.
number
325
326
327
328
329
373
374
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
Coal
bed
Knobloch
Local
Sawyer
Sawyer
Sawyer
Knobloch
Rosebud
Knobloch
Rosebud
Form of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
i
/ Moisture
27.930
27.180
28.050
28.610
29.060
24.100
28.160
26.150
26.330
23.610
27.080
26.300
28.060
28.670
29.410
27.830
27.490
Volatile
matter
28.271
39.228
43.285
28.201
38.727
42.255
26.677
37.077
41.325
25.223
35.331
49.675
27.315
38.504
41.214
31.631
41.675
46.233
27.706
38.566
41.155
29.960
40.569
44.084
29.504
40.049
43.305
31.894
41.751
45.339
27.115
37.184
40.975
26.189
35.535
42.670
27.392
38.076
41.901
28.165
39.486
43.318
27.883
39.500
43.643
27.453
38.039
41.967
26.213
36.151
40.978
Fixed
carbon
37.043
51.399
56.715
38.539
52.924
57.745
37.877
52.643
58.675
25.554
35.794
50.325
38.961
54.920
58.786
36.786
48.466
53.767
39.615
55.143
58.845
38.001
51.457
55.916
38.627
52.433
56.695
38.451
50.335
54.661
39.058
53.563
59.025
35.187
47.743
57.330
37.981
52.795
58.099
36.854
51.668
36006
5L007
56.357
37.962
52.600
58.033
37.756
52.069
59.022
Ash
6.755
9.374
6.080
8.349
7.396
10.280
20.613
28.874
4.665
6.576
7.483
9.859
4.519
6.291
5.889
7.974
5.538
7.518
6.045
7.914
6.747
9.253
12.324
16.722
6.567
9.129
6.310
8.846
6.701
9.493
6.756
9.361
8.541
11.780
Sulfur
.422
.586
.646
.359
.493
.538
.617
.858
.956
1.890
2.647
3.722
.317
.447
.478
.541
.713
.791
.218
.304
.324
.214
.290
.315
.439
.596
.644
.388
.508
.552
.696
.955
1.052
2.393
3.247
3.900
.438
.609
.671
.406
.569
.624
1.253
1.775
1.961
.696
.964
1.064
.892
1.230
1.394
Sulfate
.017
.024
.026
.017
.023
.026
.042
'.059
.065
.031
.043
.061
.000
.000
.000
.026
.034
.038
.032
.045
.048
.017
.023
.025
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.016
.022
.026
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
«8
.032
.036
.023
.033
.036
.024
.033
.037
Pyritic
.181
.251
.277
.111
.153
.167
.313
.435
.484
1.006
1.410
1.982
.106
.149
.159
.060
.079
.088
.024
.034
.036
.009
.012
.013
.166
.225
.243
.066
.086
.094
.593
.814
.896
2.101
2.851
3.424
.223
.310
.341
.242
.339
.372
1.169
1.656
1 830
.477
.661
.729
.716
.988
1.120
Organic
.224
.311
.343
.231
.317
.346
.262
.364
.406
.853
1.195
1.680
.211
.298
.319
.455
.600
.665
.162
.225
.240
.189
.255
.277
.273
.371
.401
.322
.422
.458
.103
.141
.155
.276
.374
.449
.215
J8
.164
.230
ffi
.087
096
!l95
.271
.299
m
.236
Heating
value (Btu)
8510
11808
13029
8692
11936
13024
8247
11461
12775
6554
9181
12908
8423
11873
12709
8815
11614
12884
8436
11743
12532
8805
11922
12955
8935
12128
13114
9238
12093
13132
8590
11780
12981
8175
11092
13319
8209
11411
12557
8432
11821
w
11867
13112
8454
11714
12924
iB»
12953
CO
*
58
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l*J
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59
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/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
-------
Table 85.-Major ash constituents, Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal deposit.
Drillhole Depth Lab. Coal
Constituent, %
and location
SH-7096
IS 43E S28
DBBA
SH-7097
IS 43E S34
CBCB
SH-7098
1S43ES32
BDCC
SH-7099
2S 43E S6
BDDA
SH-70100
IS 42E S36
ACBB
SH-70101
1S42ES24
BCCA
SII-70102
1S43ES16
BADA
sampled sample bed A12O3 CaO FeaO3 K2O MgO Na20 P2OS SiO2 SO3 TiO2 Total
Knobloch 17.9 17.0 4.5 .7 4.8 .4 .4 38.8 9.4 .9 94.8
59 to
83 ft. 325-327
Local 20.9 3.6 9.3 2.5 1.5 .1 .2 53.1 3.1 .7 95.0
43 to
45 ft. 328
77 to Sawyer 18.1 14.9 7.2 .3 3.9 11.7 .4 28.2 11.5 .6 96.8
86 ft. 329
Sawyer 18.4 14.3 4.9 .4 3.3 9.2 .5 35.0 9.5 .7 96.2
58 to
78 ft. 373-374
Sawyer 15.4 14.1 4.5 .2 2.8 9.0 .4 41.8 8.0 .9 97.1
125 to
133 ft. 330
Knobloch 18.0 15.7 6.2 .2 5.0 4.2 .4 31.1 13.4 .7 94.9
92 to
102 ft. 331-332
Rosebud 15.6 10.5 14.5 1.2 3.7 .6 .5 38.4 10.9 .7 96.6
43 to
55 ft. 333-334
Knobloch 16.5 17.1 5.9 .1 5.1 .2 .3 35.5 13.0 .7 94.4
41 to
61 ft. 335-337
210 to Rosebud 16.0 11.0 17.8 1.0 3.4 .7 .5 35.6 10.1 .5 96.6
226 ft. 338-339
5
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-------
126
STRIPPABLE COAL, SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
the south. The top of the Knobloch coal bed is highest in
the northern part of the deposit, 3,258 feet in drill hole
SH-70102, in sec. 16, T. 1 S., R. 43 E., and it declines to
3,218 feet in drill hole SH-7096 in sec. 28 and to 3,169
feet in drill hole SH-7098 in sec. 32.
Two small faults have been mapped in sec. 32 and 33,
T. 1 S., R. 43 E. (Bass, 1932). The southernmost fault, in
the southwest quarter of sec. 33, is downthrown on the
south about 75 feet; the fault surface dips steeply north-
ward. The second fault, in the northern part of sec. 32, is
downthrown on the north about 50 feet or less (Bass,
1932, p. 45).
COAL BEDS
Coal beds in the Greenleaf Creek-Miller Creek coal de-
posit that have economic value are, from bottom to top,
the Rosebud, Knobloch, and Sawyer beds. The strati-
graphic distance between the Rosebud and the Knobloch
increases, west to east, from 89 feet in drill hole SH-70100,
sec. 36, T. 1 S., R. 42 E., to 151 feet in drill hole SH-70102,
sec. 16, T. 1 S., R. 43 E. A similar separation is indicated
by drill hole SH-7096, sec. 28, T. 1 S., R. 43 E., but the
gamma log of an oil well in sec. 34, T. 1 S., R. 43 E., shows
a further increase to 166 feet of strata between the two
coal beds. The Sawyer bed is 178 feet above the Knobloch
bed in drill hole SH-7098, sec. 32, T. 1 S., R. 43 E.
The Knobloch coal bed is 23 feet thick in drill hole
SH-7096 in T. 1 S., R. 43 E., but thins westward to
about 17 feet in drill hole SH-70100 in T. 1 S., R. 42 E.
The Rosebud coal bed is 13 to 14 feet thick in T. 1 S.,
R. 42 E., but thins eastward to 9 feet as shown by the
gamma log of an oil well in sec. 34, T. 1 S., R. 43 E. The
Sawyer coal bed is 19 feet thick in drill holes SH-7098
and SH-7099. In drill hole SH-7097, sec. 34, T. 1 S.,
R. 43 E., it is only 10 feet thick.
COAL QUALITY
Seventeen project core samples were obtained and
were analyzed by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Ge-
ology analytical laboratory. Proximate analysis, forms of
sulfur, and heating value are shown in Table 84, and
major ash constituents are shown in Table 85.
COAL RESERVES
Strippable reserves in the Rosebud, Knobloch, and
Sawyer coal beds total 453,710,000 tons (Table 83).
PINE HILLS COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Pine Hills coal deposit (PI. 31), in T. 7 N., R. 49
and 50 E., Custer County, is 14 miles east of Miles City;
U.S. Highway 12 traverses the northwest corner of the
mapped area. Coal has been mined by underground meth-
ods at the now abandoned Storm King mine in sec. 4,
T. 7 N., R. 49 E., but fires in 1969 and 1970 totally de-
stroyed the old workings and caused the surface to
collapse.
HELD METHODS AND MAP PREPARATION
The field work for the Pine Hills coal deposit, a coop-
erative project of Burlington Northern, Inc., and the Mon-
tana Bureau of Mines and Geology, was completed in
1968. Loren Williams was in charge of the field mapping
and was assisted by Peter Mattson of Burlington Northern
and by Gardar Dahl and Robert Lambeth of the Montana
Bureau of Mines and Geology. The field method utilized
was developed by Burlington Northern, Inc., (Carmichael,
1967). The field work included setting temporary bench
marks throughout the area and obtaining topographic
control by careful altimeter surveys. Details on the qual-
ity and quantity of coal were obtained by drilling and
collecting core samples.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The geology of the area was described in a U. S. Geo-
logical Survey report on the Miles City coal field (Collier
and Smith, 1909). Strippable coal in the Pine Hills coal
deposit was described by Brown and others (1954) and
by Ayler, Smith, and Deutman (1969).
LAND OWNERSHIP
Burlington Northern, Inc., owns part of the odd-
numbered sections in the two townships containing the
Pine Hills coal deposit. The railroad has kept the coal al-
though it has conveyed most of the surface. The State of
Montana owns the surface and the coal in sec. 16 and 36,
T. 7 N., R. 49 E., and sec. 16, T. 7 N., R. 50 E. Although
the Federal Government has conveyed the surface, it has
retained the coal rights in the rest of the area.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Pine Hills coal deposit underlies a high ridge that
forms the divide between Cottonwood Creek, an inter-
mittent stream that flows northward to the Yellowstone
River, and Mill Creek, an intermittent stream that flows
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—PINE HILLS
127
Table 86.-Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Pine Hills coal deposit.
DOMINY BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50 68.45
50 to 100 95.07
100 to 150 30.35
Total 193.87
Total
110.73
357.77
198.72
667.72
1.61
3.76
6.54
Average 3.44
Total
2,080 32,908.7
2,956.8 32,153.0
985.6 30.793.4
6,022.4 Average 32,191.5
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Inferred reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
0 to 150
86.09
367.84
4.27
3,040
28,319.1
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated and
inferred reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
0 to 150
279.96
1,035.06
3.69
9,062.4
30,892.5
southwestward to the Tongue River. Farther south the
divide separates the Tongue River drainage from the Pow-
der River drainage to the east. The top of the divide is
smooth and rolling, but the edges are steep and nigged
and reveal resistant clinker produced by burning of the
Dominy coal bed. Ponderosa pine trees line the fringes of
the divide.
The principal land uses are livestock grazing and dry-
land farming.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Pine Hills coal deposit are almost hori-
zontal. The maximum difference in the altitude of the top
of the Dominy coal bed in the three drill holes is only 22
feet.
COAL BEDS
Strippable reserves in the Pine Hills coal deposit are
confined to the Dominy coal bed, which consists of two
benches. The thickness of the lower bench ranges from
16 to 24 feet (Brown and others, 1954), but in the three
project drill holes, it ranges from 17 to 20 feet (PI. 31).
The upper bench of the Dominy is 3 to 4 feet thick, as
shown in the drill holes, and is 5 to 6 feet above the thick
lower bench.
The F coal bed, above the Dominy bed, has burned
throughout the area except for a small patch described
by Collier and Smith (1907, p. 57). Its clinker caps the
buttes and ridges in the area.
COAL QUALITY
Three core samples were obtained during the field eval-
uation of the Pine Hills coal deposit, and they were ana-
lyzed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Grand Forks Coal Re-
search Laboratory. Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis,
heating value, and forms of sulfur are shown in Table 87.
Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash are shown in
Table 88.
COAL RESERVES
The indicated reserves in the Pine Hills coal deposit in
the main bench of the Dominy coal bed are 193,870,000
tons. Inferred reserves in the eastern part of the area
amount to an additional 86,090,000 tons (Table 86).
-------
Table 87.-Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value, and forms of sulfur, Pine Hills coal deposit.
K)
00
Proximate . %
Drill hole
and location
PH-1C
7N 50F S29
ACAB
PH- 2C
7N49ES13
DCDA
PH-3C
7N49ES11
CDDD
,
/A, as received; B,
Lab. Coal
number bed
Dominy
GI--68
1865
Dominy
GF-6B-
1862
Dominy
GF-68-
1863
moisture free; C, moisture
Form of .
analysis /
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
and ash free.
Volatile
Moisture matter
32.01 27.77
40.84
45.52
30.85 27.32
39.51
44.79
30.66 28.17
40.63
44.87
Fixed
carbon
33.24
48.89
54.48
33.68
48.70
55.21
34.61
49.91
55.13
Ash S
6.98 .56
10.27 .82
.91
8.15 .62
1 1 79 .90
1.02
6.56 .43
9.46 .62
.68
Ultimate. %
H C N
6.43 43.95 .65
4.22 64.63 .96
4.70 72.03 1.07
6.22 43.89 .70
4.04 63.47 1.02
4.58 71.95 1.15
6.33 45.19 .71
4.22 65.17 1.02
4.66 71.97 1.13
Form of sulfur. %
O
41.43
19.10
21.29
40.42
18.78
21.30
40.78
19.51
21.56
Heating
value (Btu)
7240
10650
11870
7220
10440
11840
7420
10710
11820
Sulfate
.05
.07
.08
.05
.07
.08
.02
.03
.04
Pyritic Organic
.32 .18
.48 .27
.53 .30
.39 .19
.56 .27
.64 .31
.06 .34
.09 .49
.10 .54
Table 88. -Major ash constituents and fusibility of ash, Pine Hills coal deposit.
Drill hole Depth
and location sampled
PH-1C
7N 50E S29 95 to
ACAB 112 ft.
PH-2C
7N49ES13 143 to
DCDA 161 ft.
PH-3C
7N49ES11 74 to
CDDD 93 ft.
Lab. Coal
sample bed
Dominy
GF-68-
1865
Dominy
GF-68-
1862
Dominy
GF-68-
1863
AljOj
12.0
12.2
11.2
CaO FeaO3 KjO
27.4 8.3 .1
26.0 8.3 .7
34.4 5.6 .2
MgO NaaO
8.7 .5
6.7 2.4
9.7 1.3
Constituent, '
P205
.4
.3
.2
% Fusibility of ash.°F
SiO2 SO3 TiOj
23.7 15.2 .5
25.5 15.4 .4
20.1 13.9 .4
LOI@
soorc
.1
.1
.2
Total
96.9
98.0
97.2
Initial
deformation Softening Fluid
temp. temp. temp.
2250
2250
2420
2300 2350
2300 2350
2470 2520
H
58
>
W
r
m
o
o
r
CO
o
3
&
H
n
g
o
1
-------
INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS—KNOWLTON
Table 89.—Reserves, overburden, overburden ratio, acres, and tons/acre, Knowlton coal deposit.
129
DOM1NY BED
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden and
interburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden and
interburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
219.61 462.35
425.86 1,723.99
102.04 513.15
747.51 Total 2,699.49
2.10 3,471.45
4.04 12,918.49
5.02 3.223.28
Average 3.61 Total 19,613.32
63,260.8
32,965.1
31.656.9
Average 38,112.3
Thickness of
overburden, ft.
Indicated reserves,
million tons
Overburden,
million cu. yd.
Overburden ratio,
cubic yards/ton
Acres
Tons/acre
Oto 50
50 to 100
100 to 150
Total
Total
65.00 1.11 3,180.8
93.56 2.48 768.0
101.06 4.15 499.2
259.62 Average 2.15 Total 4,448.0
18,341.3
49,010.4
48.737.9
Average 27,048.1
KNOWLTON COAL DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Knowlton coal deposit (PI. 32A and B) is in T. 6
and 7 N., R. 53 and 54 E., Custer County, about 40 miles
east of Miles City. U.S. Highway 12 crosses the north end
of the mapped area. The coal field underlies the high di-
vide between the Powder River valley to the west and the
O'Fallon Creek valley to the east.
FIELD WORK AND MAP PREPARATION
All the field work resulting in the present map of the
Knowlton coal deposit was completed during the summer
of 1971. Geologic mapping on 7&-minute topographic
maps, where available, was supplemented by mapping on
black-and-white aerial photos for the rest of the area.
PREVIOUS GEOLOGIC WORK
The Knowlton coal deposit was originally mapped by
the U.S. Geological Sumy. The western part of the area
was described in the Miles City coal report (Collier and
Smith, 1909). The eastern part was included in the report
on the Baker lignite field (Bowen, 1912).
LAND OWNERSHIP
The Knowlton coal deposit lies within the land grant
to Burlington Northern, Inc. The railroad, although it has
conveyed much of the surface, has retained the coal
rights. At the time of the grant, some odd-numbered sec-
tions were not available, so the railroad's coal ownership
in the area is not complete. The State of Montana owns
surface and minerals on sec. 16 and 36 in each township.
The Federal Government has conveyed most of the sur-
face, but has, in general, retained the mineral rights, al-
though some coal is privately owned.
SURFACE FEATURES AND LAND USE
The Knowlton coal deposit underlies the high divide
between Powder River to the west and O'Fallon Creek to
the east. The divide is a relatively flat, gently rolling
plateau bordered by clinker, which supports ponderosa
pine. All of the streams in the area are intermittent and
flow only during periods of heavy precipitation or spring
runoff. Numerous springs in the area supply abundant
water for livestock.
The principal land uses in the area are livestock grazing
and dry-land farming for which the gently rolling terrain
is ideally suited. Various grains are cultivated, and hay is
raised in many fields.
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The strata in the Knowlton coal deposit are almost
horizontal, but a northwest dip of a few feet per mile can
be detected.
-------
Table 90.-Pioximate analysis, forms of lulfui, and heating value, Knowlton coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7158
7N54ES16
BBBB
SH-7159
7N54tS21
DADB
SH-7160
7N54ES21
DCBB
SH-7161
7N 54E S29
OCAB
SH-7162
7N541SS32
ACDD
SH-7163
6N S4E SS
CADB
SH-7164
6N 53E S2
DACA
SH-7165
7N54ES31
CAAA
Depth
sampled
22 to
32ft
51 to
60ft.
60 to
71 ft.
80 to
88ft.
35 to
42ft.
55 to
64ft.
100 to
107 ft.
lllto
121 ft.
90 to
98ft.
98 to
110 ft.
110 to
111 ft.
42 to
51ft.
57 to
67ft.
50 to
56ft.
68 to
74ft.
Form of sulfur. %
Lab.
number
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
425
426
427
Coal
bed
Dominy
(D
Dominy
(U)
Dominy
(M)
Dominy
(M)
(L)
Dominy
(L)
Dominy
(U)
Dominy
(M)
(L)
Dominy
(M)
(L)
Form of
analysis
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
*
/ Moisture
36.400
38.110
38.910
37.270
37.820
35.230
34.390
37.260
42.130
39.700
37.730
37.360
34.500
39.580
35.070
Volatile
matter
25.873
40.680
46.682
25.224
40.757
45.118
25.656
41.998
45.841
27.143
43.269
46.616
26.366
42.403
47.637
27.299
42.148
45.897
27.588
42.048
46.127
24.508
39.063
45.676
23.833
41.184
45.011
24.960
41.393
45.183
24.607
39.516
47.516
26.236
41.884
46.064
28.021
42.780
49.623
24.769
40.994
45.386
25.257
38.898
45.836
Fixed
carbon
29.550
46.462
53.318
30.683
49.576
54.882
30.312
49.618
54.159
31.084
49.551
53.384
28.982
46.610
52.363
32.180
49.684
54.103
32.220
49.109
53.873
29.148
46.458
54.324
29.117
50.314
54.989
30.282
50.219
54.817
27.179
43.648
52.484
30.719
49.041
53.936
28.447
43.430
50.377
29.805
49.330
54.614
29.845
45.165
54.164
Ash
8.178
12.858
5.983
9.667
5.122
8.384
4.504
7.180
6.832
10.987
5.290
8.168
5.802
8.843
9.084
14.479
4.920
8.502
5.058
8.388
10.484
16.836
5.684
9.075
9.032
13.790
5.846
9.676
9.828
15.136
Sulfur
.684
1.076
1.235
.567
.917
1.015
.377
.617
.674
.204
.325
.350
.220
.353
.397
.606
.936
1.020
.518
.790
.866
.182
.290
.339
.299
.516
.564
.649
1.077
1.175
.564
.906
1.089
.733
1.171
1.287
.426
.650
.754
.567
.939
1.039
.325
.501
.590
Sulfate
.153
.240
.276
.029
.046
.051
.000
.000
.000
.021
.034
.036
.021
.033
.037
.015
.023.
.025
.030
.045
.049
.014
.022
.026
.006
.011
.012
.014
.022
.024
.069
.110
.133
.021
.033
.037
.014
.022
.026
.020
.034
.037
.007
.011
.013
Pyritic
.473
.744
.854
.481
.778
.861
.267
.438
.478
.042
.067
.073
.055
.088
.099
.395
.609
.663
.244
.372
.408
.035
.056
.065
.104
.179
.196
.392
.650
.710
.124
.199
.239
.426
.680
.748
.036
.055
.064
.324
.536
.594
.036
.056
.066
Organic
.058
.092
.105
.057
.093
.103
.110
.180
.196
.141
.224
.242
.144
.232
.261
.197
.305
.332
.244
.372
.408
.133
.212
.248
.188
.325
.355
.243
.404
.441
.371
.597
.717
.286
.457
.503
.375
.573
.664
.223
.369
.408
.282
.434
.511
Heating
value (Btu)
6323
9942
11408
6654
10752
11903
6479
10605
11575
6792
10828
11665
6449
10371
11651
7154
11045
12027
7271
11083
12158
6354
10128
11843
6718
11609
12688
6328
10493
11454
6297
10113
12160
6955
11104
12212
6862
10476
12152
6554
10848
12010
6497
10006
11790
CO
SB
5
>
S>
5
PI
O
o
>
-
CO
O
^
s
>
to
n
X
%
S
O
z
H
^
1
U = Upper bench of Dominy
M = Middle bench of Dominy
L = Lower bench of Dominy
-------
SH-7166A
7N 53E S36
DCDD
SH-7172
7N 54E S8
ADBB
SH-7173
7N 54E S5
DDAD
SH-7176
6N 54E S9
CBBC
SH-7177
6N54ES16
ABAC
SH-7178
6N54ES16
CBAD
SH-7178 A
6N54ES16
CDDA
110 to
118ft.
118 to
120ft.
50 to
58ft.
58 to
66ft.
66 to
74ft.
91 to
98ft.
124 to
131 ft.
32 to
37ft.
60 to
69ft.
69 to
71ft.
42 to
50ft.
50 to
56ft.
60 to
65ft.
20 to
30ft.
30 to
34 ft.
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
456
457
438
439
440
Dominy
(U)
Dominy
(U)
(M)
(L)
Dominy
(L)
Dominy
(M&L)
Dominy
(M&L)
Local
Dominy
(M&t)
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
36.150
40.040
38.690
38.370
38.280
39.590
38.730
34.500
36.000
34.120
36.400
36.100
38.770
37.530
36.850
24.999
39.152
43.688
22.130
36.909
40.229
25.069
40.888
44.413
24.606
39.925
43.195
26.313
42.633
45.492
24.294
40.215
43.780
24.138
39.396
42.844
24.795
37.855
44.930
25.537
39.901
46.336
27.857
42.285
48.466
25.875
40.684
45.603
25.680
40.187
47.001
24.641
40.244
44.677
25.408
40.672
45.763
26.052
41.254
46.334
32.222
50.465
56.312
32.881
54.838
59.771
31.375
51.175
55.587
32.359
52.505
56.805
31.528
51.083
54.508
31.197
51.643
56.220
32.201
52.555
57.156
30.391
46.399
55.070
29.575
46.211
53.664
29.621
44.962
51.534
30.864
48.528
54.397
28.957
45.316
52.999
30.513
49.833
55.323
30.112
48.203
54.237
30.174
47.781
53.666
6.629
10.382
4.949
8.253
4.866
7.937
4.665
7.570
3.879
6.285
4.919
8.143
4.932
8.049
10.314
15.746
8.889
13.889
8.402
12.753
6.861
10.788
9.263
14.497
6.076
9.923
6.950
11.125
6.924
10.965
.229
.359
.400
.122
.203
.222
.340
.555
.603
.199
.323
.350
.505
.819
.873
.363
.601
.654
.213
.348
.379
.201
.307
.364
.775
1.211
1.407
.185
.281
.322
.325
.510
.572
.890
1.393
1.629
.374
.610
.677
.325
.520
.585
.184
.291
.326
.007
.011
.013
.007
.011
.012
.029
.047
.051
.031
.050
.054
.090
.145
.155
.015
.026
.028
.009
.014
.015
.015
.023
.027
.037
.058
.067
.022
.034
.039
.038
.059
.067
.023
.036
.042
.028
.046
.051
.041
.066
.075
.014
.022
.025
.072
.112
.125
.020
.034
.037
.116
.189
.205
.031
.050
.054
.130
.211
.225
.139
.230
.250
.026
.042
.045
.015
.023
.027
.465
.727
.844
.007
.011
.013
.166
.261
.293
.629
.985
1.152
.000
.000
.000
.166
.265
.299
.007
.011
.013
.150
.235
.263
.095
.158
.172
.196
.319
.346
.138
.224
.242
.285
.462
.493
.208
.345
.376
.179
.292
.318
.171
.261
.310
.273
.427
.496
.156
.236
.271
.121
.190
.213
.238
.372
.435
.345
.564
.626
.117
.188
.212
.162
.257
.289
6842
10715
11957
6351
10592
11544
6785
11066
12021
6850
11115
12025
7143
11574
12350
6704
11098
12082
6681
10904
11858
6583
10050
11928
6737
10526
12224
6815
10344
11856
6793
10680
11972
6780
10610
12409
6587
10759
11944
6629
10612
11940
6671
10563
11864
^
5!
O
7
c
f
n
•o
o
la
i
Pi
z
o
r
g
w
gj
U= Upper bench of Dominy
M = Middle bench of Dominy
L = Lower bench of Dominy
I/A, as received; B, moisture free; C, moisture and ash free.
u>
-------
Table 91.-Major ash constituents, Knowlton coal deposit.
Drill hole
and location
SH-7158
7N54ES16
BBBB
SH-7159
7N54ES21
DADB
SH-7160
7N54ES21
DCBB
SH-7161
7N 54E S29
CCAB
SH-7162
7N 54E S32
ACDD
SH-7163
6NS4ES5
CADB
SH-7164
6N 53E S2
DACA
8H-7165
7N54ES31
CAAA
Depth
sampled
22 to
32ft.
51 to
71 ft.
80 to
88ft.
35 to
42ft.
55 to
64ft.
100 to
121 ft.
90 to
lllft.
42 to
67ft,
50 to
56ft.
Lab.
sample
412
413-414
415
416
417
418-419
420-422
423,425
426
Coal
bed
Dominy
(L)
Dominy
(U)
Dominy
(M)
Dominy
(M)
(L)
Dominy
(M&L)
Dominy
(U)
Dominy
(M&L)
Dominy
(M)
Alj03
17.3
10.7
12.4
10.0
19.9
18.7
10.5
15.3
19.3
CaO
21.8
30.8
22.2
20.2
22.1
16.9
30.4
21.5
21.4
Fe20j
6.4
6.4
13.2
14.7
3.6
4.7
4.8
6.2
5.2
KjO
.2
.2
.2
.2
.2
.8
.1
.3
.5
V.
MgO
6.3
10.3
10.0
6.4
6.1
5.1
12.4
6.1
7.3
.oniuiucni, n
Na20 PjOs
.4 .1
1.1 .8
.5 .2
.8 .1
1.4 .1
1.2 .1
.7 .4
2.0 .1
A .1
SiOj
27.2
14.9-
14.4
13.2
32.6
36.5
18.5
32.4
34.0
SO3
14.9
15.2
21.4
26.5
7.0
8.7
14.3
11.3
8.5
Ti03
.6
.4
.4
.2
.4
.6
.5
.8
.8
Total
95.2
90.8
94.9
92.3
93.4
93.3
92.6
96.0
97.9
3
^y
>
w
G
S
>•
r
CO
O
3
S
M
a
%
§
w
3
I
>
-------
SH-7J66 A
7N 53H S36
DCDD
SH-7172
7N 54E S8
ADBB
SH-7173
7N 54h S5
DIMD
SH-7176
6N 54E S9
CBBC
SH-7I77
6N 54KS16
A IMC
SH-7178
ON 541 SI6
r MAN
SH-7178 A
6N54i;S16
(DIM
110 to
12011
50lo
74 It.
9) ro
98 ft.
124 to
131 fi.
32 to
37 ft.
60 to
71 ft.
42 to
56/t
60 to
65 ft.
20 to
34ft
428-429
430^32
433
434
435
436-U7
456-457
438
439-440
Dommy
'10
Dominy
OJ)
(Mj
fL)
Domi/iy
H.j
Uominy
rM&L^
Dommy
fM&L>
I, ota)
Donuny
fM&L;
11.2 31.2 2.3 .1 11.4
.3 .1 31.3 7.7 .8
96.4
8.9 28.7 6.6 3 10.9 1.9 .3 16.8 18.2 .3 92.9
12.5 24.9 11.7 .2 8.8 1.1 ,4 14.6 20.8 .2 95.2
18.9 22.0 4.7 .3 9.5 2.9 .3 29.4 8.2 .5
13.7 7.7 3.2
4.1
.9 .1 59.4 38 .7
15,7 21.3 8.7 .2 6.2
.6
1 27.8 15.5 .5
19.1 22.1 4.7 .2 9.3
96.7
94.5
96.6
17.2 20.7 71 .2 7.1 1.2 .1 28.2 14.2 6 96.6
11.4 22.0 4J .2 6.9 19 1 36.3 11.5 .8 95.6
.9 1 31.9 8.3 .7 97.3
5
O
§
z
O
*
r
I' » Upper bench of Dormny
M » Middk bench of iJomiriy
L * Lower bench of Liorruny
<*>
-------
134
STRIPPABLB COAL. SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA
COAL BEDS
The coal beds in the Knowlton coal deposit that carry
economically recoverable reserves are the three benches
of the Dominy coal bed, low in the Tongue River Member
of the Fort Union Formation. The upper bench maintains
a thickness of 25 feet or more. In the northern part of
the area its base is 10 feet above the middle bench, and in
the southern part of the deposit it is 81 feet above the
combined middle and lower benches (PI. 32B), In the
northern part of the deposit the middle bench is 23 feet
above the lower bench, but in the southeastern part of
the area, these two benches join to form a single bench
17 feet thick, as shown in drill hole SH-7163, sec. 5.
T.6N..R.54E.
The three benches of the Dominy bed are shown in
drill hole SH-7172. sec. 8, T. 7 N.. R. 54 E. The upper
bench is 28 feet thick; 11 feet below it is the middle bench,
which is 12 feet thick; 23 feet below that is the lower
bench which is 10 feet thick. In drill hole SH-7166 A,
sec, 36,T. 7 N.. R. S3 E., the upper bench is 31 feet thick;
20 feet below it is the middle bench, which is 9 feet thick;
14 feet below that is the lower bench, which is 11 feet
thick. Another coal bed below the Dominy has been
drilled in the southeastern corner of the deposit, in sec. 16,
T. 6 N., R. 54 E. In drill hole SH-7177 it is 6 feet thick,
and in drill hole SH-7178. it is 5 feet thick.
COAL QUALITY
Thirty core samples of the benches of the Dominy
coal bed were taken during the 1971 core-drilling program
and were analyzed by the Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology analytical laboratory. Proximate analysis, forms
of sulfur, and heating values are shown in Table 90, and
major ash constituents are shown in Table 91.
COAL RESERVES
The coal reserves in the three benches of the Dominy
coal bed in the Knowlton area total 867,820,000 tons
(Table 89).
REFERENCES
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS.
1^64. ASTM Designation D 388-38. Standards on coal and
coke Philadelphia, p, 88-9:.
AVER1TT, PAUL, 1165, Coal deposits of eastern Montana, in
Mineral potential ol" eastern Montana-* basis for future
growth: Montana Bur. Mines and Geology Spec, Pub. 33,
p. 9-25; also in Proceedings of the first Montana coal re-
sources symposium: Montana Bur, Mines and Geology Spec.
Pub. 36. p. 69-80. 1966.
, 1969, Coal tesouiccs of the United States: I'.S. Geol.
Survey Bull. 1275. 116 p.
AYLl R. M.I ., SMITH. J.B., and DEUTMAN, G.M.. 1969. Strip-
pable coal resources of Montana: U.S. Bur. Mines Prelim.
Rept. 172, 68 p.
BAKER. A.A., 1929. The northward extension of the Sheridan
coal Held, Big Horn and Rosebud Counties, Montana: U.S.
Geol. Survey Bull 806-B, p. 15-67,
BALSIl'R, C.A, (ediioO. 1971, Catalog of strattgraphic names
for Montana: Montana Bur. Mines and Geolog) Spec. Pub.
54. 448 p.
, 197.', Structure contour map. Upper Cretaceous, south-
eastern Montana. Montana Bui, Mines aiul Geolog Spec.
ftib. 60, map .sheet
BASS. N.W.. H32. The Ashland coal field. Rosebud, Powder
KIVCI. aiul tAistei Counties. Montana: U.S. Geol. Surxes Bull.
8.M-B. I OS p.
BECHTEL CORP.. 1969. Tongue River Project, report financed
by the State of Montana Water Resources Board, 3 volumes.
BOWEN, C.F.. 1912. The Bakej lignite field. Custor County,
Montana: U.S. Geol. Sumy Bull. 4714). p. 202-226.
BROWN, ANDREW, CULBERTSON, W.C., DUNHAM. R.J..
KEPFERLE, R.C.. and MAY. P.R., 1954, Strippable coal in
Ouster and Powder River Counties, Montana: U.S. Geol Sur-
vey Bull. 995-E. p. 151-199.
BROWN. BARNUM. 1907, The Hell Creek beds of the Upper
Cretaceous of Montana: Their relation to contiguous depos-
its, with faunal and floral lists and a discussion of their cor-
relation: American Mus. Nat. History Bull., v. 23, p. 823-845.
BROWN. R.W.. 1962, Pateocene flora of the Rocky Mountains
and Great Plains: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 375. 119 p.
BRYSON. RJ>.. 1952, The Coalwood coal field, Powder River
County, Montana: US. GeoLSurvey Bull. 973-B. p. 73-106.
.and BASS. N.W., 1966, Geologic map and coal sections
of the Moorhead coal field. Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Open-
file Rept.. 37 fig.. 3 tables (15 sheets).
CARMlCHAtL, V.W.. 1967. Procedures for rapid estimation of
1 ort Union coal reserves: I'.S. Bur. Mines Inf. Ore. 8376,
p. 10-18.
COLLIER. A.J., and SMITH. C.D.. 1909, The Miles City coal
Held. Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 341-A. p. 36-61.
-------
REFERENCES
135
CULBERTSON. W.C.. 19S4. Three deposits of strippable lignite
west of the Yellowstone Rivet. Montana: U.S. Ceol. Survey
Bull. 995-H, p. 293-332.
CURRY, W.H., 111, 1971. Unraide structural history of the
Powder River Basin. Wyoming: Wyoming GeoL Assoc. Guide-
book, Wyoming Tectonics Symposium, p. 4940.
DOBBIN, CE,, 1929, The Fonyth coal field, Rosebud. Treasure.
and Big Horn Counties, Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull.
812-A. p. 1-55.
G1LMOUR. E.H., and DAHL. G.G.. JR.. 1967. Montana coal
analyses: Montana Bur. Mines and Geology Spec. Pub. 43,21 p.
GILMOUR, EH., and WILLIAMS, LA., 1969, Geology and coal
resources of the Foster Creek coal deposit, eastern Montana:
Montana Bur. Mines and Geology Bull. 73,9 p.
KEPFERLE, R.C.. 1954. Selected deposits of strippable coal in
central Rosebud County. Montana: U.S. GeoL Survey Bull.
99S-I. p. 333-381.
LAW, B.E., and GRAZ1S. SJL, 1972. Preliminary geologic nup
and coal resources of the Decker quadrangle. Big Horn County.
Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Open-file Rept.. 1 map, coal sec-
tions, stratigraphk chart.
MATSON. R.E.. DAHL, G.G.. JR.. and BLUMER. J.W.. 1968.
Strippable coal deposits on state land. Powder River County.
Montana: Montana Bur. Mines and Geology Bull. 69, 81 p.
MATSON. R.E.. and VAN VOAST. W.A.. 1970, Preliminary sum-
mary' report of strippable low-sulfui coals of. southeastern
Montana: Montana Bur. Mines and Geology Open-fife Rept.,
submitted to Office of Fuel Resources, National Air Pollution
Control Administration, Department of Health, Education.
and Welfare.
McGREW. P.O.. 1971. The Tertiary history of Wyoming: Wyo-
ming Geol. Assoc. Guidebook. Wyoming Tectonics Sympo-
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MEEK. F.B,. and HAYDEN. F.V.. 1861. Descriptions of new
Lower Silurian (Primordial). Jurassic. Cretaceous, and Ter-
tiary fossils, collected in Nebraska Territory, with some re-
marks on the rocks from which they were obtained: Phila-
delphia Acad. Sd. Proc., v. 13. p. 415447.
MISSOURI BASIN STUDIES. 1972. Montana Wyoming Aque-
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Basin Program, Montana-Wyoming, 31 p.
OUVF, W.W.. 1957, The Spotted Horse coal Held. Sheridan and
Campbell Counties, Wyoming: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1050,
83 p.
PARKER. F.S.. and ANDREWS. D.A., 1939, The Mupah coal
field, Custer County. Montana: U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 906-C,
p. 85-133.
PERRY. ES.. 1935. Geology and ground-water resources of
southeastern Montana: Montana Bur. Mines and Geology
Mem. 14.66 p.
PIERCE, W.G.. 1936, The Rosebud coal field. Rosebud and
Custer Counties, Montana: US. Geol. Survey Bull. 847-B.
p. 43-120.
ROBINSON, CS.. MAPEL. WJ., and BERGENDAHL. MJi..
1964. Stratigraphy and structure of the northern and western
flanks of the Black Hills uplift. Wyoming. Montana, and South
Dakota: US. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 404.134 p.
ROGERS, GS., 1918. Baked shale and slag formed by the bum-
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. and LEE, WALLACE. 1923. Geology of the Tultock
Creek coal field. Rosebud and Big Horn Counties. Montana:
US. Geol. Survey Bull. 749.181 p.
ROYSE. C.F.. 1972.The Tongue River and Sentinel Butte Form-
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STONE, R.W.. and CALVERT. W.R.. 1910. Stratigraphk rela-
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TAFF. J.A.. 1909. The Sheridan coal field. Wyoming. US. Geol.
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THOM. W. T.. JR., HALL. G. M.. WEGEMANN, C H.. and
MOULTON. G.F., 1935. Geok>g> of Big Horn County and
the Crow Indian Reservation. Montana, with special reference
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Open-file Rept.. 124 p., 17 maps.
US. GEOLOGICAL SURVFV and MONTANA BUREAU OF
MINES AND GEOLOGY. 1973. Preliminary coal drill-hole
data and chemical analyses of coal beds in Sheridan and Camp-
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Open-file Rept., Sip- data and analyses, 3 p. text, 3 tables.
US. WEATHER BUREAU. 1965. Climate summary of the US..
Supplement for 1951 through 1960, Montana.
WARREN. W.C.. 1959. Reconnaissance geology of the Bimey-
Broadus coal field. Rosebud and Powder River Counties,
Montana: US. Geol. Survey Bull. 1072-J. p. 561-585.
WEGEMANN, C-H., 1910, Notes on the coal of the Custer Na-
tional Forest. Montana: US.Geol. Survey Bull. 381-A.p. 108-
114.
WYOMING GEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 1%5. Geologic his-
tory of Powder River Basin: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists
Bull. 49. p. 1893-1907,24 fig.
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
i. R
!-4!?0/3-74-033
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Quality and Reserves of SMppable Coal, Selected
Deposits, Southeastern Montana
5. REPORT DATE
December. 1973
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Robert E. Matson and John W. Blumer
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
Butte, Montana
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
S 800 900
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
EPA-401 M.Street, SW, Washington, D. C. 20460
State of Montana, Helena, Montana 59601
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
June 1969 to December 1973
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
16. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
Quality and quantity of strippable subbituminous and lignite coal 1n 32 deposits
are described, and coal distribution is shown on 46 plates. All of the coal is
classified as low in sulfur except the Sweeney Creek-Snyder Creek coal deposit;
its reported sulfur content exceeds 1% in four core samples. Total strfppable
reserves are 32 billion tons on 770,000 acres.
Proximate analyses, forms of sulfur, calorific values, and major ash constituents
of the coal samples are tabulated.
The report includes the results of Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology projects
in cooperation with Burlington Northern, Inc., and with the Office of Fuel
Resources, Environmental Protection Agency, supported by special appropriations
by the Legislature.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COSATI Field/Group
Coal Deposits
NT Subbituminous
NT Lignite
0807
Low Sulfur
Strippable
0807
Coal Deposits
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release Unlimited
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report/
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
142+46 plates
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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-------
THE MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY IS A
PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCY FOR THE STATE OF MONTANA.
ITS PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST IN DEVELOPING THE STATE'S
MINERAL RESOURCES. IT CONDUCTS FIELD STUDIES OF
MONTANA GEOLOGY AND MINERAL DEPOSITS, INCLUDING
METALS, OIL AND GAS, COAL, OTHER NON-METALLIC MIN-
ERALS, AND GROUND-WATER. IT ALSO CARRIES OUT RE-
SEARCH IN MINERAL BENEFICIATION, EXTRACTIVE METAL-
LURGY, AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH THE
MINERAL INDUSTRY IN MONTANA. THE RESULTS OF THESE
STUDIES ARE PUBLISHED IN REPORTS SUCH AS THIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATICN, ADDRESS THE DIRECTOR,
MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, MONTANA
COLLEGE OF MINERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, BUTTE.
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
R. 44 E.
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 8
EXPLANATION
50 - strippable Anderson coal bed
4012 altitude at- top of collar
31'013920' altitude at top of 31' of coa
T. D. 130' total depth of drill hole
Anderson and Dietz beds converge
SH-7038
3669'
31'at 3637'
5' at 3582'
T, D. 105'
3920
• I -^. ' • . T. D. 130' '
R. 45 E.
iap from U.S.G.S. 7 '/2 minute topographic maps: Poker Jim Butte,
Jrowns Mtn., Fort Howes, and Birney 4 NW.
N
MAP OF
POKER JIM LOOKOUT COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE ANDERSON AND DIETZ COAL BEDS,
ROSEBUD AND POWDER RIVER COUNTIES, MONTANA
Project Chief - R. E. Motson
Geologist -W. A. Van Voast
Draftsmen -E, A, Woods
DATUM IS MEAN SEA LEVEL
-------
MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
BULLETIN 91 PLATE IIA
POKER JIM CREEK-O'DELL CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE KNOBLOCH COAL BED,
ROSEBUD COUNTY, MONTANA
• M U.-.M G drill hole
SH-II7 hole designation
3143' altitude at top of collar
8'at 3085' altitude at top of 8' of coal
20'at 3044' altitude at top of 20' of coal
T. D. ISO1 total depth of hole
- n Parting information
opach of coal bed
Overburden of upper bench
-'-^-- —--~^v Overburden of middle bench
*~ Line of cross section (plate 34)
B.L.
Base map from advance topographic
7 1/2 min. quadrangle maps:
Birney Day School, Green Creek,
Birney, Brown Mountain
Project Chief - R.E, Matsor
Geologist - O.W.Blume
Draftsman - E.A. flood:
-------
MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
MAP OF
POKER JIM CREEK-O'DELL CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE KNOBLOCH COAL BED,
ROSEBUD AND POWDER RIVER COUNTIES, MONTANA
Datum is mean sea leve
L, BULLETIN 91 PLATE II B
R.44 E.I R.45E,
PO.
Base from advance topographic quadrangle map
Ashland, Green Creek, Willow Crossing, and King M<
0- 50' overburden
50-iOO' overburden
100'--150' overburden
I50L200' overburden
200L250' overburden
» M.B.M.G drill hole
SH-7059 hole designation
3228' oltitudp at top of collar
i4+at'3u3b' altitude at top of 14'of coal
T.D. 206' totol depth of hole
O Wafer well drill hole
22abd
• -n'li" n Parting information
40' Isopach of coal bed
BL
•*- Line of cross section
(plate 34)
project Chief - R. E. Motson
Geologist - J. W, Blumer
Oraftsmon - E.A. Woods
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 2
MAP OF
DEER CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE ANDERSON , DIETZ No. I
AND DIETZ No.2 COAL BEDS, BIG HORN COUNTY, MONTANA
-BMC-721
P3765
8' at 3682
26'at 3418
25'at 3290
T. D. 600'
E XPLANATION
Dietz No. I coal bed
0-50' of overburden
Anderson coat bed
0-50' of overburden
Diefz No. 2 coal bed
0-50' of overbuden
M.B.M.G. drill hole
BMC- 721 hole designation
3765' altitude at top of collar
25' at 3290' altitude at lop of 25'of coo
T. D. 600' total depth of drill hole
SH-7020
3480'
13' at 3284'
24' at 3186'
T D. 350'
Clinker, not shown where under-
ain by another strippable coal bed
sopach of thickness, of Anderson
Coal Bed.
'SH-TOI
3640'
ISat 333,2^
TD 338
sopach of parting to next low
;oal bed-
_. "ft „ Oil well drill hole
Shell-Gov.
Fault, dashed where infe
Base,map from US-G-S 7 72 min. topographic
quads' Decker and Holmei Ranch.
MONTANA
WYOMING
Line of cross section ( plate 33}
Law, B. E.,and Srazls, S. L.,preliminary geologic
Big Horn County, Montana. (1972)
Map of the northern extension of the Sherldon
Coal Field , Rosebud and Big Horn Counties,
Montana, U.S.G.S. Bull. 606.
Project Chief - R. E. Matson
Geologist - J. W. Blumer
Draftsman - E. A. Woods
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
MAP OF
FIRE GULCH COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE COOK AND PAWNEE
COAL BEDS, POWDER RIVER COUNTY, MONTANA
DATUM IS MEAN SEA LEVEL
EXPLANATION
~—— Cook cool bed
L v "., 1 Clinker
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 21
R.49E.
0-50' of overburden
50'-100' "
I00'-!50' " "
150'- 200' "
• M. B. M. G drill hole
SH-7134 hole designdtion
3978' altitude dt top of colldr
38' ot 3723' altitude ot top of 38' of coal
T. D. 400' total depth of drill hole
SH-7I2I
4051'
7'at396l'
22'at 3750'
12'at 37(6'
T.D.380'
Pawnee coal bed
Clinker
0-50' of overburden
50'-100' "
100'-ISO' "
SH-7134
3978'
I2'at3924'
22'at3724'
14'at 3699
5lat 3583
I D. 400
map from U.S.G.S. 7'/2 minute topographic auodrangle maps: Hodsdon Flats, R. 48 E.
of Powder River County, M
R.49E.
Thickness of the parting between the two benches
of the Cook coal bed.
Isopoch of the upper bench of the Cook cool bed
)0 Isopach of the lower bench of the Cook coal bed.
Clinker and outcrop mapped by J. W Blumer, from colored and black-and-
white, aerial photographs.
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
R.47E.
T._4S.
T. 53
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 25 B
MAP OF
SONNETTE COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE COOK COAL BED,
POWDER RIVER COUNTY, MONTANA
DATUM IS MEAN SEA LEVEL
EXPLANATION
• M. B. M.G. drill hole
SH-7II7 hole designation
3924' altitude at top of collar
I0'a13853' altitude at top of 10' of cool
T. D. 220' total depth of drill hole
Clinker and outcrop mapped by J. W.
Blumer from aerial photographs.
SH-7II8
4066'
7!at40Z9' (Canyon)
10'at 3988' (Cook)
T. D, 100'
Project Chief- R. E Matson
Geologist - 0 W. Blumer
Draftsman - E A Woods
Base map from U.S.G.S. 7 !/2 minute topographic maps
Threemile Buttes and Sonnette.
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
R. 46 E R.47 E.
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 26
MAP OF
HOME CREEK BUTTE COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE FERRY AND CANYON
COAL BEDS, POWDER RIVER COUNTY, MONTANA
EXPLANATION
• M.B.M.G. drill hole
SH-7154 hole designation
4133' altitude at top of collar
I0'at4ll2' altitude at top of 10'of coal
T.D. 156' total depth of drill hole
•0- Oil well drill hole
N.P.R.R No I
Line of cross section (plate 34)
! Clinker and outcrop mapped by J. W. Blumer
and M. L.Granberg from aerial photographs.
Canyon coal bed
O-IOO1 of overburden
Ferry coal bed
0-501 of overburden
50'-IOO' " "
100-150' 'I »
100'-outcrop of Canyon coal bed
I Project Chief -R.E.Motson
Geologists -J. W. Blumer
ie map from U.S G.S. 7 '/2-minuti
topographic maps! Home Creek Bui
ind Colemon Draw.
SH-7154
4133'
10'0)4112
24'at
"-PC
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
Vertical scale Horizontal scale
0' 40' 80' 0' 4000' 8000'
1
Upper Knobloch
Lower Knobloch
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 28
MAP OF
SAND CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE KNOBLOCH COAL BED
CUSTER AND POWDER RIVER COUNTIES, MONTANA
DATUM IS MEAN SEA LEVEL
EXPLANATION
Upper Knobkch coal bed
Lower Knobloch coal bed
Clinker
0-50' of overburden
/.'.'. •'] 50'-100' » i.
lOO'-ISO' •'
Cooperalive drill hole (1967)
Note: South of 10' isopach line, overburden limits are for the
Lower Knobloch coal bed.
Norih of 10' isopach line the Upper and Lower Knobloch
coal beds are treated as one bed
SC-2 hole designation
3498' altitude at top of collar
O1 at 3390' altitude at lop of 10' o1
T. D. I40' total depth of drill hole
Isopach of parting between Upper and Lowe
Knobloch coal beds,
SC-3
3414'
S ?' at 3372'
8'at 3363'
8' at 3353
14' at 3332
T D. 97'
Photogeologic mapping, topographic control, and drilling
program conducted under a cooperative agreement betweer
the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geolrjgy and the
Burlington Northern Incorporated, summer 1967,
By'- L. A. Williams ,
R E Matson and
T- E. Finch , M. B. M.G
Draftsman- E- A. Woods
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 30
R.42E. R.43E.
EXPLANATION
Sawyer coal bed
V .4 <. v
,<: ..i_s
» M. B. M.G. drill hole
SH-7097 hole designation
3470' altitude at top of collar
I0'at3396' altitude at top of 10' of coal
T. D. 126' total depth of drill hole
Knobloch coal bed
Clinker
-0- Oil well drill hole
Wolf No. 1-5
0-50 of overburden
50-100'
lOO'-ISO1 M n
Rosebud coal bed (average thickness 15')
Fault, dashed where inferred
Clinker and outcrop mapped by
L. J Maki from aerial photographs
SH-7097
3470' '
I0'at339<
T. D. 126' "•
\3470' -J -i
I0'at3396' *
RESERVATION
NORTHERN CHEYENNE
•ase map from U.S.G.S. 7 '/2-minute topographic maps: Ashland,
Garfield Peak, Badger Peak , Lee 2 SW, and Lee 2 SE
MAP OF
tii
GREENLEAF CREEK-MILLER CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRiPPABLE RESERVES IN THE SAWYER, KNOBLOCH, AND ROSEBUD
COAL BEDS,ROSEBUD COUNTY, MONTANA
BOUNDARY
Project Chief -R.E.Maison
Geologist -L. J. Maki
Draftsman - E. A. Woods
DATUM IS MEAN SEA LEVEL
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
MAP OF
KNOWLTON COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE UPPER DOMINY COAL BED,
CUSTER COUNTY, MONTANA
BULLETIN 91
PLATE 32 B
DATUM IS MtAN StA LtVbL
EXPLANATION
0-50 of overburden
50'-IOO' i'
100'-150' "
Upper Dominy coal bed
• M.B.M.G. drill ho
SH-7166 hole designation
3377' altitude at top of collar
29'at324l' altitude at top of 29' of coal
TO. 2001 total depth of drill hole
Andrau
No. 1-14 N.P.R.R
SH-7159
3305'
25'at 3254
T.D. 155'
Eastern limit of
opographic contro
Andrau
Anderson No. I
O-
SH-7166
3377'
29'at324l
200'
Average thickness
27 '/? feet
V 3lat32l9
t^ 9' at 3168
0(3145
T. D. 220'
R. 53 E
map from U.S.G.S. 7'/2-minute advance topographic
Montana Highway map of Custer Co., Montana (Sheet
R. 54 E.
Project Chief - R.E.Matson
Geologist -J.W.E
Draftsman -E.A.Woods
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MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
R. 39 E
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 4
MAP OF
SQUIRREL CREEK COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE ROLAND
COAL BED, BIG HORN COUNTY, MONTANA
BMC-726
4334'
8'at4299'
I6'at4079
27 at403!
43'at 3886'
T.D. 515'
SH-7033
4129'
13'at 4093'
Roland coal bed • M.B.M.G. drill hole
SH-7033 Tiole designation
-i| Clinker 4129' altitude at top of collar
13'dt 4093' altitude at top of 13' of coa
0-50' overburden
50-100' "
:::•":•':•'::l ioo'-i50'
I. D. 80 total depth of drill hole
Water well drill hole
Carter
ne of cross section
(plate 33)
Project Chief - R. E. Matson
Geologists - J. W. Blumer
M. L. Gronberg
Draftsman -M. J. Daniels
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r
MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
jjpRTHERN [ ^CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION
BOUNDARY
BULLETIN 91 PLATE 5 B
MAP OF
KIRBY COAL DEPOSIT
SHOWING
STRIPPABLE RESERVES IN THE DIETZ COAL BEDS,
BIG HORN COUNTY, MONTANA
DATUM IS MEAN SEA LEVEL
EXPLANATION
Outcrop of coal beds, dashed where
inferred,
Upper or combined benches
<1l >j^j| Clinker
0-50' of overburden
50'-100'
100'-150'
I50'-200' " "
200-250' >< "
• M.B.M.G. drill hole
SH-722 hole designation
4493' altitude at top of collar
25'at 4388' altitude at top of 25' of co
T. D. 240' total depth of drill hole
©_ _ , Private drill hole
t-o- I
®WW Water well drill hole
^Cabot Oil wel1 dri" hole
Line of cross section (plate 33)'
25:
Isopach of coal bed
Fault, dashed and dotted where inferred
Project Chief - R.E. Malson
Geologists -L. J. Maki
- M. Garverich
-Van Heare .
Draftsman -E. A. Woods !
Kirby, Taintor Desert, Half Moon Hill, and Tongue River Oam.
R. 40 E.
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