&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Robert S Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory
Ada OK 74820
EPA-6 00/7-78-156
August 1978
Research and Development
Overburden
Mineralogy as Related
to Ground-Water
Chemical Changes
in Coal Strip Mining
Interagency
Energy/Environment
R&D Program
Report
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7. Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the INTERAGENCY ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT series. Reports in this series result from the
effort funded under the 17-agency Federal Energy/Environment Research and
Development Program. These studies relate to EPA's mission to protect the public
health and welfare from adverse effects of pollutants associated with energy sys-
tems. The goal of the Program is to assure the rapid development of domestic
energy supplies in an environmentally-compatible manner by providing the nec-
essary environmental data and control technology. Investigations include analy-
ses of the transport of energy-related pollutants and their health and ecological
effects; assessments of, and development of, control technologies for energy
systems; and integrated assessments of a wide range of energy-related environ-
mental issues.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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EPA-600/7-78-156
August 1978
OVERBURDEN MINERALOGY AS RELATED TO
GROUND-WATER CHEMICAL CHANGES IN
COAL STRIP MINING
by
Arthur Hounslow and Joan Fitzpatrick
Colorado School of Mines Research Institute
Golden, Colorado 80401
Lawrence Cerrillo and Michael Freeland
Engineering Enterprises, Inc.
Denver, Colorado 80215
Grant No. R-804162
Project Officer
Bob D. Newport
Ground Water Research Branch
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
Ada, Oklahoma 74820
ROBERT S. KERR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
ADA, OKLAHOMA 74820
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Robert S. Kerr Environmental
Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and
approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents neces-
sarily reflect the views and policies of the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
11
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FOREWORD
The Environmental Protection Agency was established to coordinate
administration of the major Federal programs designed to protect the qual-
ity of our environment.
An important part of the Agency's effort involves the search for in-
formation about environmental problems, management techniques, and new
technologies through which optimum use of the Nation's land and water
resources can be assured and the threat pollution poses to the welfare of the
American people can be minimized.
EPA's Office of Research and Development conducts this search
through a nationwide network of research facilities.
As one of these facilities, the Robert S. Kerr Environmental
Research Laboratory is responsible for the management of programs to;
(a) investigate the nature, transport, fate, and management of pollutants in
ground water; (b) develop and demonstrate methods for treating waste-
waters with soil and other natural systems; (c) develop and demonstrate pol-
lution control technologies for irrigation return flows; (d^-develop and dem-
onstrate pollution control technologies for animal production wastes; (e) de-
velop and demonstrate technologies to prevent, control, or abate pollution
from the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries; and (f) develop
and demonstrate technologies to manage pollution resulting from combina-
tions of industrial wastewaters or industrial/municipal wastewaters.
This report contributes to that knowledge which is essential in order
for EPA to establish and enforce pollution control standards which are rea-
sonable, cost effective, and provide adequate environmental protection for
the American public.
William C. Galegar
Director
111
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ABSTRACT
A research program was initiated to define and develop an inclusive,
effective, and economical method for predicting potential ground-water qual-
ity changes resulting from the strip mining of coal in the Western United
States.
The predictive methodology was developed from data obtained at
eight mines in the Western United States. Core and cutting samples were
obtained from undisturbed overburden and spoil piles, and the mineralogy
and bulk chemistry of these rocks were determined. X-ray diffraction tech-
niques were used and found to be most effective for mineralogical determi-
nations. Water samples, both upgradient and downgradient from the spoils,
were analyzed to determine the change in water composition. Standard field
and laboratory analytical methods proved satisfactory to determine water
composition.
Relationships among and between rock and water variables were es-
tablished using factor analysis. This analysis, coupled with thermodynamic
calculations, provided rational explanations of the facts observed in the
study of existing mines.
Minerals found to have the greatest influence on water chemistry
were carbonates, sulfates, clays, and sulfides. The natural, undisturbed
bedrock water was either a sulfate or bicarbonate water with medium to low
dissolved solids. Water associated with spoil piles was generally calcium -
magnesium-sulfate, high-total dissolved solids waters. Water composition
changes resulting from mining always included some increase in dissolved
solids. Other chemical changes may also occur depending upon the miner-
alogy and changes in the exposure of rocks to percolating water.
To utilize the predictive method, it is necessary to sample the over-
burden, determine its mineralogical content, and, where applicable, to
determine the quality of the ground water that may saturate the spoils.
Techniques were developed for interpreting the data required to predict fut-
ure ground-water quality changes. With additional research, the predictive
method may also be found applicable to other types of mining operations.
IV
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This report was submitted in fulfillment of grant No. R-804162 by the
Colorado School of Mines Research Institute, and Engineering Enterprises, Inc.,
under the sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This report
covers the period December 23, 1975, to December 22, 1977.
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CONTENTS
Disclaimer ii
Foreword iii
Abstract iv
Contents ) vii
List of Illustrations xii
List of Tables xvii
List of Abbreviations and Symbols xviii
Acknowledgments xix
1. Introduction 1
2. Conclusions 2
3. Recommendations 4
4. Previous Investigations 5
5. Regional Background 7
Green River Coal Region 12
Climate 12
Geology 12
Hydrogeology 13
San Juan River Coal Region , 13
Climate 13
Geology 15
Hydrogeology 15
Hams Fork Coal Region 17
Climate 17
Geology 17
Hydrogeology 19
Powder River Coal Region 19
Climate 19
Geology 20
Hydrogeology 20
vii
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CONTENTS (Cont.)
6. Methods of Investigation 22
Field Operations 22
Site Selection 22
Drilling 23
Sampling Techniques 27
Laboratory Operations 28
Mineralogical Methods 28
Water Analysis 32
7. Mine Sites Investigated 37
Energy Fuels Mine 37
Climate 37
Geology 39
Sampling Points 39
Hydrogeology 44
Mineralogy 45
Water Chemistry 48
Input Parameters 48
Edna Mine 51
Climate 51
Geology 51
Sampling Points 52
Hydrogeology 52
Mineralogy 57
Water Chemistry 57
Input Parameters 61
McKinley Mine 61
Climate 63
Geology 63
Sampling Points 64
Hydrogeology 64
Mineralogy 70
Water Chemistry 70
Input Parameters 74
vnx
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CONTENTS (Cont.)
7. Mine Sites Investigated (Cont.)
Medicine Bow Mine 74
Climate 75
Geology 75
Sampling Points 78
Hydrogeology 78
Mineralogy 83
Water Chemistry 86
Input Parameters 86
Rosebud Mine 90
Climate 90
Geology 92
Sampling Points 92
Hydrogeology 92
Mineralogy 96
Water Chemistry 96
Input Parameters 101
Kemmerer Mine 102
Climate 102
Geology 102
Sampling Points 104
Hydrogeology 104
Mineralogy 109
Water Chemistry 111
Input Parameters 111
Wyodak Mine 114
Climate 114
Geology 116
Sampling Points 116
Hydrogeology 120
Mineralogy 120
Water Chemistry 121
Input Parameters 121
xx
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CONTENTS (Cont.)
7. Mine Sites Investigated (Cont.)
Colstrip Mine 125
Climate 125
Geology 127
Sampling Points 127
Hydrogeology 127
Mineralogy 131
Water Chemistry 131
Input Parameters 135
8. Development of a Predictive Method 137
Methods of Data Interpretation 137
Factor Analysis 137
Geochemical Calculations 138
Graphical Representation of Waters 139
Geology 142
Overburden Lithology 142
Stratigraphic Continuity 142
Structure 143
Hydrogeology 143
Mineralogy 146
Calcite - CaCO3 147
Dolomite - CaMg(CO3)2 148
Side rite - FeCO3 149
Gypsum - CaSO4- 2H2O 149
Starkeyite - MgSO4-4H2O 150
Pyrite - FeS2 151
Feldspar 151
Quartz - SiO2 152
Clay Minerals 152
Major Clay Species 154
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CONTENTS (Cont.)
8. Development of a Predictive Method (Cont.)
Water Chemistry 154
Graphical Representation of Waters 154
Vector Diagram Results 160
Factor Analysis 169
Geochemical Calculations 170
Summary'of Important Chemical Reactions 172
Effects of Climate 175
9. Presentation of the Predictive Method 177
Geology and Hydrogeology 177
Climate 179
Water Chemistry 179
Mineralogy 179
References 181
Glossary of Mineral Species 185
Appendix A. Bore Hole Data and Field Logs 186
Appendix B. Whole Rock Analyses 203
Appendix C. Water Data 223
Appendix D. Geochemical Calculations 236
XI
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FIGURES
Number Page
1 Location of mine sites investigated. 8
2 Average annual evaporation from open water surfaces in
inches. 9
3 Average annual evaporation in inches. 10
4 Average annual precipitation in inches. 11
5 Coal-bearing formations in the Green River region. 14
6 Coal-bearing formations of the Gallup field, San Juan
region, New Mexico 16
7 Coal-bearing formations in the Hams Fork region. 18
8 Coal-bearing formations in the Powder River region. 21
9 Typical construction for wells completed in this study. 25
10 Diagram of typical pressure-vacuum lysimeter installa-
tion. 2 6
11 Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Energy Fuels and
Edna Mines, Colorado. 38
12 Detailed core description from Hole CD-7A. Energy
Fuels Mine, Colorado. 40
13 Legend for detailed core description diagrams. 41
14 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado 42
15 Sample location map. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado. 43
xii
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FIGURES (Cont. )
Number Page
16 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Energy Fuels
Mine, Colorado. 50
17 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
Edna Mine, Colorado. 53
18 Detailed description of core from Hole CD-I. Edna Mine,
Colorado. 54
19 Sample location map. Edna Mine, Colorado. 55
20 Individual watersheds on the Edna Mine spoils, and dis-
charge monitoring stations used by McWhorter. 56
21 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Edna Mine,
Colorado. 60
22 Surface drainage in the vicinity of the McKinley Mine,
New Mexico. 62
23 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
McKinley Mine, New Mexico. 65
24 Detailed description of core from Hole EMK-1. McKinley
Mine, New Mexico. 66
25 Detailed description of core from Hole EMK-6C. McKinley
Mine, New Mexico. 67
26 Detailed description of core from Hole EMK-11. McKinley
Mine, New Mexico. 68
27 Sample location map. McKinley Mine, New Mexico. 69
28 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. McKinley Mine,
New Mexico. 72
29 Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Medicine Bow Area,
Wyoming. 76
xnz
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FIGURES (Cont.)
Number Page
30 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming. 77
31 Detailed description of core from Hole 33-11-1. Medicine
Bow Mine, Wyoming. 79
32 Detailed description of core from Hole 33-4-2. Medicine
Bow Mine, Wyoming. 80
33 Sample location map. Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming. 82
34 Water production versus depth. Medicine Bow Mine,
Wyoming. 84
35 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Medicine Bow
Mine, Wyoming. 88
36 "Vector" diagrams of water compositions. Medicine Bow
Mine, Wyoming. 89
37 Surface Drainage in the vicinity of the Rosebud Mine,
Wyoming. 91
38 Detailed description of core from Hole 3R4S-15-1. Rose-
bud Mine, Wyoming. 93
39 Sample location map. Rosebud Mine, Wyoming. 94
40 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
Rosebud Mine, Wyoming. 95
41 Water production versus depth during drilling. Rosebud
Mine, Wyoming. 97
42 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Rosebud Mine,
Wyoming. 99-
43 Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Kemmerer Mine,
Wyoming. 103
44 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming. 105
xiv
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FIGURES (Cont.)
Number Page
45 Detailed description of core from Hole KCW-4-1. Kem-
tnerer Mine, Wyoming. 106
46 Sample location map. Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming. 108
47 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Kemmerer
Mine, Wyoming. 112
48 Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Wyodak Mine Area,
Wyoming. _ 115
49 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
Wyodak Mine, Wyoming. 117
50 Sample location map. Wyodak Mine, Wyoming. 118
51 Description of overburden materials. Wyodak Mine,
Wyoming. 119
52 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Wyodak Mine,
Wyoming. 123
53 Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Colstrip Mine Area,
Montana. 126
54 Idealized block diagram showing major geologic features.
Colstrip Mine, Montana. 128
55 Composite overburden stratigraphy, Areas D & E. Col-
strip Mine, Montana 129
56 Sample location map. Colstrip Mine, Montana. 130
57 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Colstrip Mine,
Montana. 133
58 Derivation of a five-component vector diagram from a
five-component bar graph. 141
59 Ground-water overburden relationships. 144
xv
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FIGURES (Cont.)
Number Page
60 Water genesis in terms of three end-member types at the
Energy Fuels and Edna Mines, Colorado. 158
61 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Energy Fuels
Mine, Colorado. ' 161
62 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Edna Mine,
Colorado. 162
63 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. McKinley Mine,
New Mexico. 163
64 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Medicine Bow
Mine, Wyoming. 164
65 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Rosebud Mine,
Wyoming. 165
66 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Kemmerer
Mine, Wyoming. 166
67 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Wyodak Mine,
Wyoming. 167
68 "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Colstrip Mine,
Montana. 168
69 Aerobic reaction cycle: weathering of minerals in the
presence of H2O, CO2, and O2. 173
70 Anerobic reaction cycle: anerobic reactions influenced
predominantly by sulfate reduction; i. e. , the oxidation
of organic matter using the oxygen tied up in the sulfate.
Microbial catalysis is a necessity. 174
71 Predictive method flow chart. 178
xvi
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TABLES
Number Page
1 Field Analytical Methods 29
2 Laboratory Analytical Methods 33
3 Reproducibility of Analyses, Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming 35
4 X-ray Diffraction Data, Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado 46
5 Water Data, Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado 49
6 X-ray Diffraction Data, Edna Mine, Colorado 58
7 Water Data, Edna Mine, Colorado 59
8 X-ray Diffraction Data, McKinley Mine, New Mexico 71
9 Water Data, McKinley Mine, New Mexico 73
10 X-ray Diffraction Data, Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming 85
11 Water Data, Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming 87
12 X-ray Diffraction Data, Rosebud Mine, Wyoming 98
13 Water Data, Rosebud Mine, Wyoming 100
14 X-ray Diffraction Data, Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming 110
15 Water Data, Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming 113
16 X-ray Diffraction Data, Wyodak Mine, Wyoming 122
17 Water Data, Wyodak Mine, Wyoming 124
18 X-ray Diffraction Data, Colstrip Mine, Montana 132
19 Water Data, Colstrip Mine, Montana 134
20 Analyses Calculated to 100 Milliequivalents Per Liter
Cations 155
21 All Analyses Recalculated to 100 Milliequivalents Per
Liter Cations 157
xvii
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS
A
CEC
TDS
mg/1
meq/1
ppm
Eh
sp gr
°F
°C
OD
BLS
PVC
gpm
AGr
AWWA
APHA
WPCF
angstrom, 10~10 meter
cation exchange capacity
total dissolved solids (in mg/1)
milligrams per liter
milliequivalents per liter
parts per million
mic rons
ionic strength
oxidation-reduction potential
specific gravity
degrees Farenheit
degrees Centigrade
outside diameter
below land surface
polyvinyl chloride
gallons per minute
change in free energy of reaction (in kilocalories)
American Water Works Association
American Public Health Association
Water Pollution Control Federation
pt
qt
gal
ml
g
hr
pint
quart
gallon
milliliter
gram
hour
xvrn
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We wish to acknowledge the cooperation and assistance of the Energy
Fuels Corporation, the Pitt sburg and Midway Coal Co. , the Medicine Bow
Coal Co. , the Rosebud Coal Sales Co. , Peter Kiewit and Sons Co. , the
Kemmerer Coal Co. , the Wyodak Resources Development Corp. , and the
Western Energy Co.
In addition, we gratefully acknowledge contributions and criticisms
of persons too numerous to mention individually from the United States Geo-
logical Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States
Bureau of Mines.
We especially wish to acknowledge the contribution of Mr. Bob New-
port from the Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, Oklahoma. As pro-
ject officer, his continued support and assistance have proved invaluable to
this research project.
xix
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
The impending widespread strip mining of coal in the semi-arid
Western United States is of concern to the Environmental Protection Agency
because of the uncertain effects of mining on ground-water quality. Pro-
tecting ground-water quality is of vital importance to the present and future
economy of that section of the United States. As a consequence of this, an
increasing number of environmental regulations have imposed a restraint on
present and future strip mine operations. One problem faced by the mine
operator is that of predicting, prior to mining, the effect that mining will
have on ground-water quality. Historically, these predictions have been
made using several different methods. For example, premining hydrologic
studies showed the surface water conditions, ground-water flow direction,
and existing quality; soil extract tests on sections of the overburden indica-
ted that certain leachable chemical species were present; and plant growth
tests provided additional information on chosen sections of the overburden
column.
In an effort to protect ground-water quality and ameliorate the com-
pliance problems faced by miners, the Environmental Protection Agency
initiated a program to study ground-water degradation as a result of strip
mining of coal. The overall objective of the program was to define an inclu-
sive, effective, and economic method for predicting potential ground-water
quality changes based on a detailed examination of overburden mineralogy
correlated with water chemistry at existing mines. Eight coal mining areas
throughout the Western United States were selected for study. Samples of
ground water from these mines were obtained upgradient and downgradient
from the spoil pile, and core samples were obtained from the undisturbed
overburden. Ground-water composition before and after passage through
the spoil piles was correlated with the results of the mineralogical examina-
tion of the overburden samples.
This report presents a method for predicting the post-mining chem-
ical changes that may occur in ground-water quality based upon a pre-
mining examination of the overburden column.
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SECTION 2
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to predict the changes in the quality of ground water in
coal strip mines in the Western United States by a study of overburden min-
eralogy and hydrology.
A certain minimal amount of field and laboratory effort is required
for the successful utilization of the predictive method outlined in this study.
This includes drilling, coring, and completing a small number of holes in
order to define the ground-water characteristics and to obtain the necessary
rock and water samples for analyses. The mineralogy of the overburden is
best determined by a combination of core logging techniques and x-ray dif-
fraction. Water composition is determined by the use of a combination of
conventional field and laboratory methods.
In those locations where the proposed mine will be located above the
water table, the predictive method can be applied using only overburden
samples obtained from exploratory cores or from presently existing adja-
cent high walls. Where the proposed mine will be below the water table, it
will be necessary to obtain samples of the ground water.
Minerals having the greatest influence on water chemistry were
found to be carbonates, sulfates, clays, and sulfides. The carbonate-
sulfate ratio controls the pH. Magnesium enrichment in the water may
result because of gypsum precipitation. Heavy metals are generally absent
from the waters due to the adsorption by clays.
Water analyses show that calcium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbo-
nate, and sulfate generally comprise over 98% of the total ions in solution in
both surface and ground waters. Spoil waters are generally calcium-
magnesium-sulfate waters, high in total dissolved solids (TDS). Ground
water occurring in association with undisturbed overburden sandstones are
generally low in TDS and have a mixed-cation-bicarbonate composition.
Ground waters occurring in association with undisturbed overburden shales
and unmined coal seams usually have a calcium-magnesium-sulfate compo-
sition and an intermediate TDS content.
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In geologic environments in which the vertical and horizontal perme-
ability of the overburden are of near-equal magnitude, and water contacts a
representative portion of the overburden, the change in ground-water quality
after mining will be minimized. However, where water cannot contact a
representative section of the overburden, the change in ground-water quality
after mining may be marked.
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SECTION 3
RECOMMENDATIONS
This research program provided a. method to predict potential
ground-water changes resulting from coal strip mining in the semi-arid
Western United States. Increasing demands made upon the already limited
quantity of water dictate that related research must be continued.
Seminars should be held for Western coal strip mine operators
where this predictive method can be explained. These seminars will pro-
vide the technology transfer in a timely and direct manner, and thus insure
that the results of this research are utilized.
Other potential applications of this method need to be researched.
This method may be applicable to underground coal gasification, uranium
mining, Eastern coal strip mining, oil shale -- both in situ and strip min-
ing -- and metals mining.
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SECTION 4
PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS
A vast number and variety of approaches exist in the study of
jground-water chemical changes resulting from coal mines. The majority of
I studies have been directed toward the effects on soils or surface waters, and
jtoward the causes and solution of acid mine drainage problems. Gleason
and Russell (1) have prepared an annotated bibliography spanning the period
jfrom 1910 to 1976 on this subject. In a review of these abstracts, and of
papers referenced in other sources, none addressed the problem in a man-
ner similar to the approach taken for this investigation. Based on the liter-
ature, one can arrive at some basic premises: namely, that most mine-
contact waters are higher in TDS; that sulfides in one form or another are
the basic cause of most acid mine problems; and that the availability of
carbonates plays an important role in the resultant water chemistry. Obvi-
ously, these three factors present an over-simplification of a. serious prob-
lem. The literature indicates the need for developing a predictive method
useful in the generally nonacid drainage environments of the west.
Two papers that address a predictive approach to some degree are
those by Caruccio (2) and by McWhorter (3). Caruccio evaluated the distri-
bution of the grain size of pyrite in the mine strata and the chemical compo-
sition of existing ground waters. From such evaluations, he made predic-
tions of the areas, in bituminous coal fields of Pennsylvania, that would
yield "... (1) highly acid-high sulfate mine drainages, (2) moderately acid-
moderate sulfate mine drainages, (3) neutral mine drainages... " Caruc-
cio's work was based on laboratory leaching tests of some very specific
parameters, and therefore differs considerably from the research conducted
for this study. This study relied heavily on interpretation of natural pro-
cesses, including microbilogical.
McWhorter's research, based on data from one of the mines used in
this investigation, was primarily directed toward changes in surface water
runoff that would occur as a result of flow over undisturbed versus dis-
turbed materials. On the basis of water budgets and water chemistry from
specific watersheds, McWnorter developed an algebraic model to estimate
the influence of surface mining on the chemistry of receiving waters. His
work was thus directed primarily toward overland runoff, and to a lesser
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degree toward the shallow, 5-ft, partially saturated zone. The work con-
ducted during this investigation was directed toward ground water in the
saturated or water table zone, and toward deeper interburden aquifers.
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SECTION 5
REGIONAL, BACKGROUND
The mines investigated for this report are all located in the semi-
arid Rocky Mountain region in the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyom-
ing, and Montana (see Figure 1). Deposits in this region contain 56% of the
coal reserves of the United States, as determined by mapping and explora-
tion up to 1967 (4). The mine sites investigated can, therefore, be consid-
ered as representative of "western coals. " The general aspects of each
coal region within the Rocky Mountain region will be discussed in this sec-
tion. These regions, identified by Averitt in the Geologic Atlas of the Rocky
Mountain Region (see Figure 1), essentially coincide with the major struc-
tural basins of the Rocky Mountain region and include:
Green River region
San Juan River region
Hams Fork region
Powder River region.
The coal deposits investigated are all of Late Cretaceous Age except
for the Hanna Basin mines which are Tertiary and the mines in the Kem-
merer Field which encompass both Cretaceous and Tertiary coals. These
coal deposits were laid down along margins of the Cretaceous depositional
basins in freshwater swamp areas (5). The thickness and continuity of de-
posits were dependent upon structural activities and advancing and retreat-
ing shorelines. The Cretaceous Formations are all of the Mesaverde Group
or of equivalent age. The Tertiary coals investigated are from the Tongue
River Member of the Fort Union Formation. All coals investigated are of
subbituminous or bituminous rank.
A brief discussion of the climate, geology, and hydrogeology of these
regions is presented in this section. The information available for each
region varies; therefore, some descriptions will appear more detailed than.
others. Maps that show climatic conditions are presented to provide back-
ground information for the regions to be discussed (see Figures 2 through 4).
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0 50 00 200
SCALE
Figure 1. Location of mine sites investigated. (Basemap after Averitt) (4)
8
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SCALE
Figure 2. Average annual evaporation from open water
surfaces in inches, (modified from Geraghty, et al. ) (41)
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0 50 IOO 200 300mil«
SCALE
<24"
24-36"
36-48"
48-60"
>60"
Figure 3. Average annual evaporation in inches.
(modified from Geraghty, et al. ) (41)
10
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20 15
30
-o ^n
MCKiny^M J (^
0 50 XX) 20O 300mil»«
SCALE
Figure 4. Average annual precipitation in inches.
(modified from Geraghty, et al. ) (41)
11
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GREEN RIVER COAL REGION
The Green River coal region includes the area that comprises the
Green River structural basin and the Great Divide Basin. It is located in
southwestern Wyoming and extends into northwestern Colorado. The region
is characterized by high mountain ranges that flank and intersect a high pla-
teau area containing the upland form of the Rock Springs Uplift (6). Eleva-
tions in the region range from 6,050 to 13,785 ft. The major drainage from
the region is the Green River which joins with the Colorado River in Utah.
Climate
The basin area of the Green River region is semi-arid, receiving as
little as 6 in. of precipitation per year, even though many of the mountain
ranges surrounding the basin receive up to 40 in. Most precipitation during
the summer months is from light showers and occasional cloudbursts. Dur-
ing fall and winter light snows are common, while in spring, wet snows and
rain are prevalent.
Recorded temperatures in the region range from minus 55 °F to a
plus 107°F (7). This wide variation in temperature is due to the high eleva-
tion of the region combined with varying cold and warm air masses that in-
vade the area.
Average evaporation rate throughout the state for a 5-mo period,
May through September, is 41 in. Freezing weather throughout much of the
remaining time prevents consistent evaporation records from being made
(8). The actual evaporation in the Green River region is not likely to differ
appreciably from this value.
Geology
The Green River coal region consists of three major structural
basins: the Green River Basin, the Great Divide Basin, and the Hanna Ba-
sin. Through the south-central portion of the region, the Rock Springs
uplift separates the Green River from the Great Divide basins. The forma-
tions on the east side of the uplift in the Cretaceous rocks have dips that
range from 4 ° to 10°, whereas on the west side the dips range from 6° to 2°
(9). Cretaceous coal-bearing rocks in the eastern part of the region dip
from 20° to 60°. Tertiary deposits in the region are essentially flat-lying.
Faulting is not extensive throughout the region, but it is pronounced in the
Rock Springs area where faulting trends northeast-southwest across the
uplift. Similar fault trends occur in the Hanna Basin area.
"Coals in the Green River Region occur in the Mesaverde Group and
in the Lance Formation, both of Upper Cretaceous Age; in the Fort Union
12
-------
Formation, of Paleocene Age; and in the Wasatch Formation, of Eocene
Age. " (8). Figure 5 shows the principal coal-bearing rocks in the Green
River region. The Fort Union and the Wasatch Formations are the most
widespread coal-bearing rocks throughout the Green River coal region.
These coals are generally of subbituminous rank.
Hydrogeology
The Green River, Wasatch, Fort Union, and older formations which
underlie most of the region contain water under artesian conditions. The
depth to water is generally less than 200 ft, but the artesian aquifers in the
deeper part of the basin lie at depths exceeding 1,000 ft. Well yields range
from 10 to 100 gpm (10).
The Mesaverde Group of Cretaceous Age, the thickest major aquifer,
ranges in thickness from 1,500 to 5,300 ft. Some wells reportedly yield up
to 1,000 gpm, but most yield less than 600 gpm. Dissolved solids range
from 300 to 2,500 mg/1.
SAN JUAN RIVER COAL REGION
The San Juan River coal region extends from southwestern Colorado
into northwestern New Mexico. This area essentially coincides with the San
Juan River Basin which is a major physiographic subdivision of the Colorado
Plateau.
The region is characterized by mesas, rolling plains, badlands, and
sharp canyons. Land surface elevations vary from approximately 5,000 ft
along the San Juan River to peaks in the San Juan Mountains that are above
13,000 ft (11).
Drainage from the basin is primarily by the San Juan River and its
tributaries in the north and northwestern part of the basin. Other major
drainages include the Animas River, Mancos River, and McElmo Creek.
Climate
Semi-arid to arid conditions exist throughout much of the region.
Average January temperature ranges from 26° to 30°F, and average July
temperature ranges from 20° to 74 °F (11). Annual precipitation is less
than 10 in. , but may range upward to 20 in. in areas of higher elevation.
Precipitation during summer months is a result of brief, but often intense
thunderstorms. Winter precipitation is caused principally by frontal activ-
ity from Pacific storms and, therefore, tends to be sparse.
13
-------
LJ
UJ
O
O
LJ
to
ID
O
UJ
O
UJ
IT
O
CC
UJ
CL
GL
ID
f / / / / / m
WASATCH
(3300 FEET)
FORT UNION
(1000 FEET)
FOX
LANCE
(750 FEET)
HILLS (200 FEET)
LEWIS SHALE
(800 FEET)
ALMOND
ERICKSON
(500 FEET)
ROCK SPRINGS
(1400 FEET)
COAL
HORIZONS
(After GLASS (16))
V777,
Figure 5. Coal-bearing formations in the Green River region.
14
-------
Potential evaporation is much greater than average annual precipita-
tion throughout the state, and is not expected to differ in this region. Values
range from 23 to 41 in. from southeastern valleys to the north-central
mountains, respectively.
Geology
The San Juan coal region is essentially coincident with the San Juan
Basin which is a part of the Colorado physiographic province. Strata in the
central part of the basin are almost horizontal. Structure to the east, adja-
cent to the Naciemento uplift, causes beds on the east to dip steeply to the
west. Strata in the western side of the basin dip gently to the east as a
result of the Defiance uplift located between the San Juan Basin and the Black
Mesa Basin in northeastern Arizona.
Another structural feature worthy of mention is the Gallup-Zuni syn-
cline, or Gallup Sag, that extends southward from the southwestern corner
of the San Juan Basin. This feature, combined with the Zuni uplift and
Nutria monocline along the southern border of the basin, creates a structur-
ally complex area.
As is the case throughout the Rocky Mountain region, the coals are
primarily of Cretaceous origin. In this region the coal-bearing units (Fig-
ure 6) are included in the Lower and Upper Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone,
the Upper Cretaceous Dilco and Gibson Members of the Crevasse Canyon
Formation, and the Fruitland Formation (12).
Hydrogeology
Although scarce, the ground«water found in the San Juan Basin repre-
sents the largest remaining water supply available to New Mexico (13). The
value of these waters was emphasized by Special Order 124 on July 29,. 1976,
by the State Engineer ". . . .declaring the San Juan Basin an underground
water basin. " (14).
Two of the major potential aquifers appear to be the Gallup Sand-
stone of Late Cretaceous Age and the Westwater Canyon Sandstone Member
of Jurasic Age. The Gallup Sandstone is 130- to 170-ft thick and has a
transmissivity of about 120 ft2/day. The Westwater Canyon Sandstone Mem-
ber is highly variable in composition. It consists ot fine-to-coarse-grained
sandstones that range from low to relatively high permeability. Transmis-
sivity values for wells completed in this formation range from 267 to 401
ft2/day.
Water quality in the Gallup Sandstone is only fair, about 1,800 mg/1
total dissolved solids, and that in the Westwater Canyon is fair-to-poor,
15
-------
MENEFEE FM.
(600 FEET)
SATAN TONGUE OF MANGOS SHALE
(50-250 FEET)
O
u
O
U
-------
having total dissolved solids ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 mg/1. Waters
in several other sandstone units throughout the basin are too saline for most
uses (14).
HAMS FORK COAL REGION
The Hams Fork coal region occupies that part of southwestern
Wyoming known as the Thrust Belt. It is an elongated, nearly rectangular
area that lies within the Middle Rocky Mountain physiographic province.
Elevations range from 5,600 ft to peaks in excess of 10,000 ft (Figure 1).
Although relatively small in area, 5,300 mi2, three major drainage
basins originate here: Snake, Bear, and Green Rivers (15).
Climate
Because of the variable topography, the climatic conditions through-
out this area are somewhat irregular. Although semi-arid, with average
annual precipitation of 9 in. at Kemmerer and Sage, precipitation greater
than 40 in. occurs in the mountain ranges to the north (15). Most precipita-
tion is in the form of showers and thunderstorms in the spring and summer,
except for the higher elevations where most precipitation occurs as snow.
Average annual potential evaporation exceeds precipitation (Figures 2 and 3).
The mean maximum temperature is approximately 26 °F, and the mean mini-
mum temperature is approximately 0°F.
Geology
Of all the areas investigated, the Hams Fork coal region is struc-
turally the most complex. The basement materials are comprised of Pre-
cambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks which are overlain by 55,000 ft of
Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks (15). Thrust faults abound, but the rock units
are unmetamorphosed, and major fault zones show no breccia or gouge
material. Some of the larger thrusts have stratigraphic displacements that
range from 20,000 to 40,000 ft. These folded Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks
thrust eastward over folded Cretaceous rocks (16).
The coal-bearing rocks of the region, Bear River, Frontier, and
Adaville Formations, crop out in long narrow belts bounded by thrust faults
on the flanks of eroded folds. Of these Cretaceous coals, the Adaville is the
most important coal-bearing formation (see Figure 7). More than 32 coal
seams that range in thickness from 10 to 110 ft occur within a 1,000-ft
interval of this formation. The coals in this region tend to be highly vari-
able in thickness as a result of splitting and coalescing.
17
-------
PALEOCENE
(O
z>
Q
o
<
UJ
IT
O
i / / / / / / / /
'ft r r i ^ r i
I I f i ill i r
/ / / / / / / /
EVANSTON
(500-1000 FEET)
ADAVILLE
(4000 FEET)
MILLIARD
(5500-6800 FEET)
FRONTIER
(2200-2600FEET)
ASPEN
(1500-2000 FEET)
BEAR RIVER
(500-1000 FEET)
7/77,
COAL
HORIZONS
(After GLASS (16))
Figure 7. Coal-bearing formations in the Hams Fork region.
18
-------
Hydrogeology
In most regions, recharge is primarily a result of direct penetration
of precipitation and snowmelt. However, in some areas of the Hams Fork
region, one unit may be recharging another because of contact along a fault
zone. In fact, one unit may be receiving recharge in one basin and dis-
charging in another basin. Most discharge in the region is through large
springs which, combined with interbasin movement, cause high runoff at
some surface gaging stations (15). In general, the ground-water movement
reflects the surface water drainage.
POWDER RIVER COAL REGION
The Powder River coal region is a large tongue-shaped area that in-
cludes the structural Powder River Basin. It is located in northeastern
Wyoming and extends northward into Montana. It is bounded on the west by
the Big Horn Mountains, on the east by the Black Hills uplift, and on the
north by the Laramie Range and Hartville uplift. If the elevations of the
bordering Big Horn Mountains are considered, the range of elevations in the
region would be 3, 100 to 13,000 ft. Rugged uplands, wide rolling valleys,
and badlands characterize the basin topography.
\ Major drainages from the region include the Powder, Belle Fourche,
and Cheyenne Rivers and their tributaries. Drainage is north-northeast
through the basin.
Climate
The climate of the Powder River coal region can be regarded as
semi-arid. The Big Horn Mountains to the west and the Black Hills uplift to
the east receive considerably more precipitation than the basin proper.
The mean annual precipitation in the region is 12 to 14 in. , whereas
the Black Hills receive up to 20 in. and the Big Horns in excess of 40 in.
(17). Most precipitation is from wet spring snows and rain.
Temperature ranges vary widely both daily and annually. The Gil-
lette station recorded average monthly temperature of 10°F in January to
88°F in July. The high potential evaporation which exceeds average annual
precipitation is a result of strong winds over the area as much as a result *of
low precipitation. Average wind velocity throughout the year is 13 mph;
however, winds of 30 to 40 mph may persist for a few days.
19
-------
Geology
The structural Powder River Basin formed during the Laramide
Orogeny (9). This asymmetric basin has its deepest portion in the west,
adjacent to the Big Horn Mountains and approximately parallel with them.
The highly deformed western side of the basin has dips from 30° eastward to
near vertical (18). Rocks along the eastern portion of the basin dip gently
3° to 5° basinward at most places. Sediments ranging in age from Cambrian
to Holocene make up approximately 18,000 ft of strata in the deeper areas of
the basin. Faults are not prevalent in the region, however, some are pres-
ent in the western and northern portions of the basin.
It is estimated that more than one-half of the coals of Wyoming occur
within the Fort Union and "Wasatch Formations (Figure 8). Coal thicknesses
of 50 to 100 ft occur in the Fort Union Formation. The Wyodak-Anderson
(W-A) coal in this formation is ".... one of the world's largest known coal
deposits. " (19). Although beds dip 3 ° to 5 ° westward along the eastern mar-
gin of the region, rock layers in the W-A coal seam area have an average
incline of less than 1° (19).
Hydrogeology
Data on observation wells in this region indicate that a balance exists
between recharge and discharge of ground water (18). Recharge to younger,
Cenozoic, rocks is basically from penetration of precipitation, whereas
recharge to older, Mesozoic and Paleozoic, rocks is from precipitation in
addition to stream infiltration where streams traverse outcrops of these
rocks. Irrigation may play a minor role in recharge of some units, but
would have the most effect on alluvial materials. Springs, lakes, pumpage
from wells, and evapotranspiration all constitute means of ground-water
discharge.
Based on the work done in the Gillette area by the U. S. Geological
Survey, ground-water movement is shown to be from west to east, and ulti-
mately to the north (20). This movement is in the opposite direction from
the dip in the area and is attributable to the greater amount of recharge and
greater amount of outcrop exposure in the area west of the strippable coal
deposits. Yields from wells throughout the region range from 10 to 100 gpm.
20
-------
UJ
WASATCH FM.
(900-1600 FT.)
TONGUE
RIVER MBR.
(I860 FT.)
LEBO MBR.
(500 FT.)
TULLOCK MBR.
(650 FT.)
e
LANCE FM.
(1600 FT.)
COAL
HORIZONS
(After GLASS (16))
Figure 8. Coal-bearing formations in the Powder River region.
21
-------
SECTION 6
METHODS OF INVESTIGATION
The methods which were utilized during the course of this investiga-
tion are discussed under the following headings: Field Operations and Lab-
oratory Operations. As the investigation progressed, modifications of the
techniques were made, and these are described in appropriate sections.
These modifications were made primarily during Phase II of the study to
conform to various field conditions and to changes suggested by preliminary
conclusions drawn from the data. The recommended techniques for those
wishing to utilize the predictive method are presented in Section 9.
FIELD OPERATIONS
The field work for this study consisted of the selection of drilling
and sampling at selected sites. Each of these segments is described in sub-
sequent sections. The field work was conducted from February, 1976, to
August, 1977.
Site Selection
The selection of suitable and adequate sites throughout the semi-arid
environment of the Rocky Mountain region proved to be difficult because
strip mine sites were required to meet a majority of the following criteria:
• An existing coal strip mine must have been in operation
at least 1 yr. (Lignite operations were beyond the scope
of this study.)
• A mine of known or suspected ground-water movement
through spoil materials.
• A mine of known or suggested ground-water movement
through overburden and/or interburden material.
• A mine that was accessible for drilling equipment with a
minimum of road building and disturbance to the environ-
ment.
22
-------
• A mine that was in reasonable proximity to air transpor-
tation to allow for shipment of time-critical water sam-
ples.
• A mine that had visible ponded water in and/or adjacent
to the mine operation.
• Permission from the mine owners and operators to con-
duct public research.
The first step in the process of site selection was to contact the
owner and/or operator of a potential site. If tentative permission was
granted for utilization of a site, an aerial reconnaissance by a geologist to
gain rapid familiarity with a mine site was made. In particular, features
such as the location of streams and ponds and their relationship to the mine
operation, the presence of geologic faults and other structural features, the
status of active and abandoned operations, and the existence of access roads
for drilling were noted. Following the aerial inspection, a ground recon-
naissance was undertaken to view the mine area at a closer perspective.
Having obtained aerial and ground reconnaissance data of those mines
considered suitable for investigation, a literature search was conducted to
determine the extent of any previous work and to develop a background
knowledge of the hydrogeologic conditions. Mine operators and/or owners
were again contacted, and a proposed drilling and sampling program was
submitted for their approval and recommendations. Verbal permission for
site access was solicited at this time pending written agreements. Prelim-
inary hole locations were identified, and all permits for drilling were
obtained before actual field operations were initiated.
Drilling
One drilling contractor was utilized for all drilling. The drilling was
accomplished with a truck-mounted, combination, air-rotary drill rig.
Holes were drilled with a 6^-in. roller bit to the bottom of unconsolidated
material and highly weathered rock, or to a depth of 20 ft, whichever was
greater. Six-inch black steel pipe was then cemented through the unconsoli-
dated section, and the drilling continued with a 5-f-in. roller bit to total
depth.
Coring was accomplished with a 3-in. standard core barrel which
employed a 5f--in. OD face discharge diamond coring bit. Recovery of core
throughout the course of the drilling program was in excess of 95%, although
drilling was frequently slow--e.g. , 15 min/ft.
23
-------
In order to avoid contamination of any aquifers, no mud was used.
All drilling was conducted with air or air-water mist. In rare instances,
a lubricating soap was used. Records were kept of the water injection rate
and subtracted from any well discharge (measured with a 2-in. Parshall
flume and/or a container and stopwatch).
Each borehole producing water was cased to total depth with 5-in.
PVC casing which was slotted at the water-producing zones. In the event
that the water production remained essentially constant throughout the
course of the drilling, only the bottom 10-ft section of the casing was slot-
ted. Slots were made with a hand saw and staggered on opposite sides of the
pipe approximately every 4 in. along the desired interval. Figure 9 shows a
typical well completion.
Development of wells was accomplished by jetting the perforated
zone with a tool designed to direct compressed air radially away from the
drill stem and through the perforations. This procedure was continued until
the water became substantially clear. All holes were completed with a
cement surface seal poured into the casing annulus to a depth of approxi-
mately 5 ft. A locking steel cap was then set into place at the surface (see
Figure 9).
In some cases, notably the alluvial aquifer of Foidel Creek at the
Energy Fuels Mine, the clay content of the soil in which the well was drilled
rendered the development of an open-cased well more time consuming and
expensive than installing a lysimeter. Lysimeters were, therefore, instal-
led in saturated soils where appropriate.
When used, each lysimeter was leached with 500 ml of 10% hydro-
chloric acid by introducing a vacuum to the lysimeter and allowing it to draw
the acid through the cup. After leaching, the instrument was flushed with
1,000 ml of distilled water and installed in the well. Figure 10 illustrates
the configuration and materials used for a lysimeter installation. All
attempts were made to avoid contamination of the sample from rain or
surface-water flow down the hole.
Samples obtained from surface and open-well sources required the
collection of over 10 liters for analytical purposes. The sample volume
obtained from lysimeters in the unsaturated zones in spoils or alluvial mate-
rial did not exceed 150/ml; it was decided therefore that lysimeter samples
would be collected only in saturated soil and only if the location of a particu-
lar sample was considered hydrogeologically critical.
The pressure-suction soil-water sampler was essentially discarded
for sampling purposes during Phase II because the experience gained seemed
24
-------
(HASP)
(HINGE)
LOCKING STEEL
SURFACE CAP
(6" DIAM)
; vAX^>A\
ANNULUS PACKING
5 PVC CASING
CEMENT SURFACE SEAL
SLOTTED SECTIONS
IN WATER PRODUCING ZONES
CEMENT TO BOTTOM
OF COAL
Figure 9. Typical construction for wells completed in this study.
25
-------
PRESSURE
EVACUATION
ACCESS
9
f
1 ,, =at UI^OHUKbt
^ r= •^ 1
u -f
LS~ VACUUM/PRESSURE
^v BOTTLE t
nU*""l«l
10LE |
3R2 ||
TERS »
[II
if
I
2
til
i
s
III
I
III
IS
i
i
m
i
Hi
1
iJJ
fii
•»
HI
iii
X
.»_
1
P
•* Jl ,=• DISCHARGE
1
1
•jl • — n
c
,^
•
j
-s
1 sHirsHitHiiifsmnsiiii
, JJiailB NffTIVE BACKFILL
S BENTONITE PLUG
iii
at
f\
I NATIVE BACKFILL
IM
§
• III
HI
i
jjl SILICA FLOUR
1
• III —
•j- NATIVE BACKFILL
/ ig BENTONITE PLUG
ill/
s
in
|
^ NATIVE BACKFILL
ii{ (NO LARGE FRAGMENTS
a OR ROCKS)
n
i
II
II
t*
m
^ SILICA FLOUR
I
• X
ii^inrsniiiiiiiHilll
i'lgure 10. Diagram of typical pressure-vacuum lysimeter installation,
26
-------
to indicate potential problems with this method. In addition, research per-
formed by Hansen and Harris (21) indicated that artificial concentration of
ionic species was likely to occur with this method. Factors which contri-
bute in varying degrees to the potential inaccuracies include soil porosity,
degree of saturation of the sampled zone, size and thickness of porous cup,
rate and duration of sampling, and the degree of initial vacuum applied to
the sampler as well as whether a constant or falling rate vacuum was
applied.
Sampling Techniques
Sampling at each site consisted of collecting water and rock samples.
Water samples were collected from outside of the influence of mine opera-
tions, within the mine area, and downstream from the mine area.
When drilled with a tricone bit, the overburden was sampled at 5-ft
intervals. The cuttings were logged, bagged, and numbered sequentially for
shipment. Overburden core was treated similarly. When a run was com-
pleted, the core was marked by parallel red and green lines running the
length of the core. Footage was marked directly on the core. In rare in-
stances of core loss, the loss was assumed to be at the run unless lack of
continuity could be verified. The core was then logged for lithology, boxed,
and prepared for shipment. No attempt was made to retain the moisture
content of the core.
Highwall-faces and road cuts were also used for the collection of
some stratigraphic information. Samples were collected from exposures of
representative rock units and/or zones of important lithologic or mineral-
ogic change.
Water samples were obtained from both surface waters and wells.
Surface waters sampled included ponds, springs, streams, and flumes.
Ground-water samples were obtained from wells or from lysimeters. The
samples obtained using lysimeters were invariably small, and a complete
analysis of waters collected in this manner was not possible. Water sam-
ples collected were divided into as many as six containers, depending on the
method of preservation, and the amount of sample available. Some of each
sample was filtered using a Plexiglas pressure filter pressurized with ni-
trogen. The first filtration was accomplished with a No. 24 glass fiber
paper followed by a second filtration with a 0.45jxm millipore filter.
Sample Preparation --
Container 1 was used for immediate field measurements and not
treated in any way. After obtaining a sample, measurements were made of
temperature, conductivity, pH, and in some cases, Eh. Commercial test
27
-------
kits were used to determine dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen
sulfide. In later phases of the study, test kits were also used to determine
alkalinity, chlorine, sulfate, and hardness as a means of screening water
samples for complete laboratory analysis. The analytical methods used for
these field tests are listed in Table 1.
Container 2 was a 1-pt filtered sample preserved by adjusting to pH
4. 0 using a pH meter with phosphoric acid and adding 0. 5 g copper sulfate.
It was shipped in a glass container and the phenol content measured within
24 hr. This test was not performed on the lysimeter samples.
Container 3 was a 1-pt filtered sample shipped in a glass container,
wrapped to exclude light and kept in ice. Tannin plus lignin were deter-
mined with 7 days. This test was not performed on the lysimeter samples.
Container 4 was an unfiltered sample, shipped in either glass or
plastic, wrapped to exclude light, and kept in ice. Initially, a 1-gal sample
was collected; later, 1 qt was considered adequate and, for the lysimeter
samples, 120 ml sufficed if coupled with analytical methodology changes.
The major anions were determined in this sample within 24 hr and the total
dissolved solids and halogens within 7 days.
Container 5 was a 1-gal filtered sample shipped in a plastic contain-
er and preserved by adjusting to pH 2. 0 using a pH meter with nitric acid.
The major cations, trace metals, and radiation level were determined on
this sample within 6 mo. For the lysimeter samples, only 50 ml was allo-
cated to these determinations necessitating the omission of those tests
requiring a large amount of sample.
Container 6 was a 1-qt filtered sample, shipped in either glass or
plastic and preserved by adjusting to pH 2. 0 using a pH meter with sulfuric
acid. Kjeldahl-nitrogen, nitrite plus nitrate, and total organic carbon were
determined on this sample within 24 hr. These determinations were not
performed on the lysimeter samples.
LABORATORY OPERATIONS
Laboratory operations consisted basically of two major tasks: One,
to define the lithology and mineralogy of the solid samples, and two, to ana-
lyze the water samples in considerable detail.
Mineralogical Methods
The mineralogic analysis of a typical sample constituted three levels
of detail. The first step was a hand-specimen examination of most of the
core, aided by binocular microscopic examination and simple chemical
28
-------
TABLE 1. FIELD ANALYTICAL METHODS
Determination
Method
Alkalinity
Carbon dioxide
Chloride
Conductivity
Dissolved oxygen
Eh
Hardness
Hydrogen sulfide
PH
Sulfate
Temperature
Drop titration, sulfuric acid
Drop titration, sodium hydroxide
Drop titration, silver nitrate
Conductivity meter
Drop titration, phenylarsine oxide
pH meter, platinum-calomel electrodes
Drop titration, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
Stain, lead salt impregnated paper
pH meter, glass -calomel electrodes
Turbidometric, barium chloride
Thermometer
29
-------
tests to identify specific minerals. This enabled a determination of the
rock type and the identification of any unusual quantity of accessory miner-
als.
The second step was to grind a split of the rock sample for a deter-
mination of the minerals present by x-ray diffraction and a determination of
the semiquantitative elemental composition by x-ray fluorescence. A limi-
ted number of thin and polished sections were prepared in order to identify
microscopically those minerals that might be present in only trace amounts
and, therefore, would not be detected in an x-ray diffractometer scan.
The third step, and the most detailed method of analysis, involved
the separation of certain mineral constituents from the rock and examining
these by various methods. The mineral groups studied at this level of detail
were primarily the clay minerals and, secondarily, the heavy minerals
which included the sulfides. The clay minerals were extracted by settling
in water and the heavy minerals were extracted by separation using a 2. 85
sp gr fluid.
Sample Preparation --
In all cases no more than one-half of each core, cutting, or spoil
sample was processed. The other half was retained. Where possible, 200
to 300 g of sample was processed. The sample was stage ground to minus
65 mesh using either a hand mortar and pestle or a Buehler pulverizer. A
60-g portion of this sample was split out and ground to minus 200 mesh for
bulk x-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. Other portions of the minus
65 mesh sample were used for clay separations.
A minus Z^m or clay-size fraction was obtained by disaggregating 10
g of the sample and allowing the sample to settle in a 1-liter cylinder using
a dispersing agent for 24 hr, then decanting. Several portions of this clay-
size fraction were collected on millipore filters for subsequent examination.
In some cases, a known volume of this fraction was removed by pipette,
evaporated to dryness, weighed, and the weight percent of the minus 2^m
fraction calculated.
Mineral Identification --
The primary objective of the initial hand-specimen examination of the
overburden core samples was to determine the lithology. This examination
involved the determination of grain size, color, amount of included organic
matter, and any visible structural features. In addition, the presence of
specific minerals was noted, either visually or by simple tests. Specifi-
cally, the minerals present and the tests used for them were:
30
-------
• Clay - slippery when wet
• Calcite - effervescence in dilute HC1
• Gypsum - yellow stain with mercuric nitrate
• Pyrite - metallic luster, yellow color
• Limonite - yellow-brown stain
• Siderite - brown, with carbonate cleavage
X-ray diffraction is the most important method for the identification
of crystalline substances. It must be stressed that x-ray diffraction pat-
terns are characteristic of the crystal form and of the chemical compound
present rather than of the elements or chemical groups making up this com-
pound.
The data were obtained by the spectrometric powder technique using
a diffractometer equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, a crystal mono-
chromator (to reduce scattered and fluorescent background radiation), an
axis controller (to drive and to precisely position the goniometer), and a
telecomputer interface to control the data acquisition of the entire system.
Bulk rock samples were examined by packing them into standard
aluminum holders, whereas clays were examined by collecting them on a
millipore filter and supporting the filter on a glass slide. X-ray determina-
tion of clay species is based on the fact that some clays expand when they
absorb some organic compounds within their structure. In this project, the
clays were treated with ethylene glycol whereupon vermiculite, if present,
expanded from 12 to 14 A and montmo rillonite expanded from 14 to 17 A.
When both clays are present, however, interpretation becomes uncertain.
A limited number of thin sections were cut and examined by trans-
mitted light-microscopy in the early phases of this study. However,
because of the limited amount of pertinent information revealed, this type of
examination was later discontinued.
Some polished sections were also prepared and examined using
reflected light-microscopy, primarily to identify and to determine the pres-
ence and mode of occurrence of pyrite. The scarcity of pyrite led to the
discontinuance of this method of investigation.
Chemical Constituents --
Three methods of obtaining chemical data were used. First, the
major and minor constituents of the bulk rocks were determined by wet
chemical analyses. This type of analysis gives information on the amount
of light element constituents and on the state of oxidation of the iron. A
second method of obtaining chemical data, and one used consistently
31
-------
throughout the program, involved x-ray fluorescence analysis of dry pow-
dered samples. This technique gives semiquantitative information on the
heavy metal content of the samples. Both bulk rocks and clays collected on
millipore filters were examined in this manner.
A third method of obtaining chemical data, employed in some cases,
was the determination of the amount of exchangeable cations held by the
clay size fraction. This method is referred to as the cation exchange capac-
ity (CEC). Cation exchange capacities were determined because of the pres-
ence of montmorillonite and/or vermiculite in most of the samples and
because of the high heavy metal content of the clay size fraction.
Most of the procedures used for CEC determination have been devel-
oped by soil scientists and involve the use of a 50- to 100-g sample. For
this program, it was established that the required sensitivity could be
obtained only if the CEC was determined on the clay-size fraction rather
than on the bulk sample. Consequently, a semimicro procedure was devel-
oped requiring only 100 to 200 mg of sample and use of an ammonium-
specific ion electrode.
Water Analysis
The methods used for the laboratory analyses of the water samples
are listed in Table 2. Those marked with an asterisk are described in
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste water, 13th edi-
tion, published jointly by AWWA, APHA and WPCF, 1971.
The main changes in methodology made during this program were
directed toward achieving either increased precision or economy of sample.
Major changes included:
Carbon Dioxide. Initially, the carbon dioxide content was deter-
mined from a nomograph which incorporated field determinations of temper-
ature, pH, and laboratory determinations of alkalinity and total dissolved
solids. Because of the high total dissolved solids encountered, and the in-
herent inaccuracies of the method, a field titrimetric method was substi-
tuted.
Sulfate. Initially, the turbidimetric method was used. Because
most of the samples were high in sulfate, the gravimetric method was later
substituted. When only small sample volumes were available, such as from
lysimeters, the turbidimetric method was used.
Silica. Initially, silica was determined gravimetric ally. Because
the silica content of most samples was generally low, higher precision and
32
-------
TABLE 2. LABORATORY ANALYTICAL METHODS
Determination
Method
AWWA
Method
Aluminum
Arsenic
Barium
Bicarbonate
Boron
Bromide
Cadmium
Calcium
Carbon, total organic
Carbonate
Chloride
Chromium
Copper
Fluoride
Iron
Lead
Lithium
Magne sium
Manganese
Mercury
Mo lyb d enum
Nickel
Nitrate (+nitrate)
Nitrogen (total)
Phenols
Phosphate
Potassium
Radiation (a + 3)
Selenium
Silica
Sodium
Strontium
Sulfate
Tannin and lignin
Titanium
Total Dissolved Solids
Zinc
Colorimetric, alizarin red-S
Atomic absorption, hydride generator
Atomic absorption
Titration, hydrochloric acid
Colorimetric, carminic acid
Colorimetric
Atomic absorption
Atomic absorption
Coulometric after combustion
Titration, hydrochloric acid
Titration, silver nitrate/potassium
chromate
Atomic absorption
Atomic absorption
pH meter, specific ion electrode
Atomic absorption
Atomic absorption, carbon rod
Atomic absorption
Atomic absorption
Atomic absorption
Atomic absorption, vapor flameless
Colorimetric, potassium thiocyanate
Atomic absorption
Colorimetric, phenoldisulfonic acid
Kjeldahl, titration, sulfuric acid
Colorimetric', 4 aminoantipyrine
Colorimetric, molybdivanadate
Atomic absorption
Instrumental
Atomic absorption, hydride generator
Colorimetric, reduced molybdosilicic
acid
Atomic absorption
Atomic absorption
Gravimetric, barium nitrate
Colorimetric, tungsto- and molybdo -
phosphoric
Colorimetric, disodium 1-2 dihydroxy
benzene 3-5 disulfonate
Gravimetric
Atomic absorption
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Described in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste-
water, 13th edition, published jointly by AWWA, APHA, and WPCF, 1971.
33
-------
greater economy of sample was obtained by using the colorimetric hetero-
poly blue method.
Titanium. The colorimetric peroxide method originally used was
later changed to a considerably more sensitive colorimetric method based
on the use of disodium 1, 2,dihydroxybenzene3, 5,disulfonate.
Trace Metals. Initially, many of the trace metals were determined
using carbon rod atomic adsorption. Because of the tedious and time con-
suming nature of the method, most of these metals were later determined by
standard atomic absorption after concentration by evaporation.
Quality Control --
The reasonability and reproducibility of field and laboratory tech-
niques were estimated in three ways: duplication, summation checks, and
by equilibrium considerations.
Duplication. The most straightforward method of checking analyses
is sample duplication. Two samples taken from a locality at the same time
showed excellent analytical reproducibility as shown in Table 3.
Duplication of samples from the same location taken days or weeks
apart showed marked differences in field determinations of temperature and
pH. The reproducibility of most of the ions, such as sulfate, calcium, and
magnesium, generally fell with 20%.
Summation Checks. In all cases, data were screened using the fol-
lowing tests before further calculations were carried out. In some cases,
minor adjustments were made in calculation methods depending on the rela-
tive confidence levels in measurements of dissolved oxygen, temperature,
pH, and Eh.
Analytical method checks included the calculation of cation-anion
charge balance (error not to exceed 30%), the percentage error in meas-
ured vs calculated values of total dissolved solids (error not to exceed 20%),
the ratio of the measured total dissolved solids to the conductivity (should
lie between 0. 55 and 0. 77), and a check on the oxidation potential calculated
from pH (Eh must exceed 0.059 pH--this represents the lower stability limit
of water).
Equilibrium Considerations. In the absence of carbonate, bicarbon-
ate was required to be less than 10 meq/liter. When the pH of the solution
was greater than 9. 0 and carbonate was present, carbon dioxide was re-
quired to be zero and the sum of calcium plus magnesium was required to be
less than 2 meq/liter. These constraints reflect what is considered to be a
34
-------
TABLE 3. REPRODUCIBILITY OF ANALYSES
KEMMERER MINE, WYOMING
Temperature °C
PH
HC03-
SOl
F-
cr
Br~
(NO2 + NO3) as NO3
P04
Ca++
Mg++
Sr++
Na+
K+
Li+
Si02
Fe
Al
B
Sample 1
13.0
8.1
mg/1
146.7
2,025.0
0.2
18.5
<0. 1
5.9
0.98
382.0
344.0
5.55
44.8
20. 1
0.223
0.7
0.77
0.27
0.4
Sample 2
13.0
8. 1
mg/1
148. 1
2,025.0
0.2
20.0
<0. 1
0.09
0.09
382.0
344.0
5.55
45.4
20. 1
0. 225
1.42
0. 15
0.23
0.9
35
-------
reasonable error for the methods of analysis used and what are the known
geochemical limitations for equilibrium distribution of ions and ion com-
plexes in aqueous solutions. If these conditions were not met, the analysis
was not considered in the interpretive phase of this study.
36
-------
SECTION 7
MINE SITES INVESTIGATED
This section of the report describes the eight mine sites investigated.
!A detailed description of the sites, types of data collected, discussion of re-
sults, and relationships that led to the development of the predictive meth-
ijds, are discussed separately for each mine. The sites were selected on
":he basis of the criteria discussed in Section 6.
ENERGY FUELS MINE
The Energy Fuels Mine is located in Routt County, Colorado, between
:he towns of Craig and Steamboat Springs. The mine is owned and operated
>y the Energy Fuels Corp. The Energy Fuels Mine was the first of the
: nines investigated to determine if a correlation exists between mineralogy
ind quality of ground water associated with coal-strip-mine operations.
Topography in the mine area consists primarily of rolling, somewhat
elongated hills with some cliff formation as a result of resistant sandstone
putcroppings. The main drainage from the mine area is via Foidel Creek
which occurs to the northwest of the mine operation, and flows to the north-
east. Figure 11 shows the drainage pattern for both the Energy Fuels Mine
and the Edna Mine (the latter is the second mine to be discussed).
'Climate
A weather station is currently maintained at the Energy Fuels Mine;
.However, the data collected to date were insufficient to utilize in this inves-
tigation.
The mean annual temperature at Steamboat Springs, approximately 9
•mi east, is 39°F, and the mean annual precipitation is 24. 0 in. The precip-
itation is probably higher than what can be expected at the mine site because
of the higher elevations at Steamboat Springs. Annual precipitation between
15 and 22 in. /yr would likely be more representative of the mine site. The
Jtown of Hayden has an average annual precipitation of 16. 2 in. /yr, and re-
jportedly is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year (22). Precipitation
lin this area is predominately in the form of snow, with summer showers
37
-------
oo
Figure 11. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Energy Fuels and Edna Mines, Colorado.
-------
accounting for the remainder. The average annual evaporation rate exceeds
the average annual precipitation rate at the Energy Fuels Mine.
Geology
The Energy Fuels Mine lies within the Twenty-mile Park Syncline in
the southeastern part of the Yampa Field. Rocks exposed in the area are of
Late Cretaceous Age and include thick sequences of shale, sandstone, and
coal (22). These units comprise the Mesaverde Group which conformably
overlies the Mancos shale.
The rocks of primary concern are those of the Williams Fork Forma-
tion. This formation ranges from 1, 100 to 2,000 ft in thickness, and con-
tains three principal units: a lower unit that contains the coal being mined
at the Energy Fuels Mine, a middle unit that consists of the Twentymile
Sandstone Member, and an upper unit which consists of sandstone and shale.
The lower coal-bearing unit of the Williams Fork contains the Lennox and
Wadge seams of the middle coal group as defined by Fenneman and Gale (23).
These coals occur between the Trout Creek and Twentymile Sandstones. At
the Energy Fuels Mine, only the Wadge seam, most uniformly of good qual-
ity and thickness, is being mined. The Lennox seam has been eroded. The
Wadge seam is fairly consistently between 8- to 10-ft thick. It is of bitumi-
nous rank, and has been described as "hard and shiny" (22). Approximately
60 to 80 ft of overburden overlies this coal in the vicinity of the Energy
Fuels Mine. Figure 12 presents a detailed stratigraphic column of Hole
CD-7A showing the basic geologic section found in the area of the Energy
Fuels Mine. Figure 13 shows the legend for detailed core description dia-
grams.
Faulting in the Energy Fuels Mine area is evident in the cliff-forming
Twentymile Sandstone outcrop which overlooks the mine area from the north.
All of the faults observable are normal, with displacements ranging from a
few feet to approximately 150 ft. These faults trend northwest-southeast
throughout the area. Figure 14 shows an idealized block diagram for a por-
tion of the Energy Fuels Mine.
Sampling Points
Because the Energy Fuels Mine was the first to be investigated, a
rather extensive s'ampling program was conducted. Although initial plans
called for sampling upgradient, within, and downgradient of the mine spoils,
in terms of ground-water movement, some modification to this plan was
necessitated by accessibility (see Figure 15). Seven holes were drilled in
the spoil area and seven outside the spoil area. The field logs for all holes
are presented in Appendix A.
39
-------
>,-
.o 55 co' . »io *;
Depth ° S 2 ^ 2 S §
in o w o coo to co
Feet i + 44++ +
0 r ..-..- ... ..•
10
20
30
Missing
:. '• .' '.'• .• '•''''!'! '!1^3;' Ilimnnita
40
50
60
pyrite
imonite
minor coal seam
/2" bedding planes
* TO
Figure 12. Detailed core description from.
Hole CD-7A. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado.
40
-------
Increasing Groin Size
Limestone
Calcareous Sandstone
Dolomite
Interbedded Coal
Carbonaceous Stringers
Carbonaceous Inclusions
Crystals
Clasts, Inclusions
Mineralogical Sample Point
Total Depth
-Mm.
TO
Figure 13. Legend for detailed core description diagrams.
41
-------
Foidel Creek
NOT TO SCALE
Figure 14. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado.
42
-------
U)
A Surface Wattr Sample Location
• Drill Hole Location
Outline of Block Diagram Area
^> General Ground Water Flow Direction
Figure 15. Sample location map. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado.
-------
Holes CD-8 and D-9 were located to represent conditions upgradient
and outside the influence of the mine, Hole D-6 was located to reflect condi-
tions opposite the mine, and Hole D-5 was located to reflect conditions
downgradient and outside the influence of the mine. (Unfortunately, Hole
D-5 was lost to caving and the water samples were lost in transit. ) Holes
drilled to obtain data within the spoils include: D-ll, CD-1A, and lysimeter
Holes SL-2, 3, and 4. Other holes drilled in the area, D-10 and D-14, pro-
vided data on shallow ground-water quality moving toward the mine area.
In addition to ground-water samples, several surface water samples
were also collected. These included waters from three ponds, a flume
draining the spoils, and water from Foidel Creek downstream from the mine
(see Figure 15). Knowledge of the chemistry of these surface waters was
important to the interpretation of shallow ground water both in the spoils and
in the undisturbed overburden.
Hydro geology
Recharge to the rock units within the Energy Fuels Mine area results
f rom direct infiltration of precipitation and snowmelt, and to some extent
from, stream inflow. Several streams, Foidel, Middle, and Little Middle
Creeks, flow northeastward across the strata lying between the Trout Creek
and Twentymile Sandstones and originate to the southwest of the mine area.
Although these streams are intermittent, they could act as sources of re-
charge to the adjacent alluvium and underlying rock units during periods of
high flow. In addition, these streams cross several northwest-southwest
trending faults which may be capable of receiving and transmitting recharge
to deeper aquifers. Ponds within the mine area could also act as small re-
charge basins, but the high evaporation rates and the silting of the bottoms
would not make them a significant source of recharge. Tributaries of the
Middle Creek System, which may receive some runoff from the Mancos
Shale, do not enter the overburden or spoil material at the Energy Fuels
Mine. These waters pass 600 ft below the area of the mine and would pro-
vide recharge only to the rock units below the coal.
Foidel Creek forms the main drainage from the Energy Fuels Mine,
and its quality could be influenced by the mine (see Figure 15). It flows al-
most totally over rocks of the Williams Fork Formation with the exception
of one small stretch southwest of the mine area where it passes over the
Lewis Shale. Any contribution of sulfates into Foidel Creek, upstream from
the mine, would most likely have originated from this formation.
Ground-water movement in the Energy Fuels Mine area is toward the
northeast or toward the axis of the Twentymile Park syncline. Most likely,
this movement continues along the axis of the syncline and discharges into
the Yampa River. Ground-water movement from the spoils area would be in
44
-------
essentially the same direction with perhaps some movement to the north
toward the alluvium of Foidel Creek (see Figure 15).
Transmissivity values, or the rate at which water can move through
a unit width of material under a unit hydraulic gradient, ranged from 0. 82
ftz/day to 4. 6 ft2/day for the deeper rock units in the mine area. Similar
tests on alluvial materials (conducted by the U. S. Geological Survey) pro-
duced transmissivities as high as 9. 7 ft2/day. The sampled spoil pile mate-
rials generally did not contain sufficient water to warrant the calculations of
transmissivity values.
Some ground water discharges from the mine area as springs and
seeps immediately above Foidel Creek, and some flows underground into the
alluvium, and then into Foidel Creek. Springs or seeps were noted at the
bottom of the spoil cut; however, very little water was encountered in the
spoil-pile drill holes. Essentially, only two water-bearing units were en-
countered during the drilling at the Energy Fuels Mine: the alluvial materi-
als, and the sandstones associated with the coal. The sandstone-coal unit
is treated as one unit in this discussion because the water-production zones
of the sandstones were not readily distinguishable from those that appeared
in the coals. Yields as high as 800 gpm have been reported from the Mesa-
verde Group, and as high as 980 gpm from the valley-fill materials in north-
western Colorado (24). No such volumes were encountered in the holes
drilled at the Energy Fuels Mine.
Mineralogy
A lithologic examination of the core from Hole 7-A drilled through
the overburden showed the major rock types to be siltstone, 56%, sandstone,
35%, and coal, 12%. The stratigraphic column is shown in Figure 12. Most
of the rocks examined are, to some extent, calcareous. Small quantities of
both pyrite and gypsum were observed throughout the core.
X-ray diffraction scans (see Table 4) show that dolomite generally
predominates over calcite and that small amounts of siderite are ubiquitous.
A limited number of samples were analyzed for their major and minor con-
stituents by wet chemical analysis (Appendix Table B-l). The most obvious
feature shown by these analyses is the wide variation in silica, iron, car-
bonate, and water content of these rocks. The sulfate and sulfide content,
when detected, was small. Titanium content, on the other hand, is relative-
ly high and roughly proportional to the aluminum content. X-ray diffractom-
eter scans of the clay size fraction of the samples revealed that in most
cases kaolinite was the major clay mineral present, generally associated
with minor amounts of clay size quartz and clay-mica. Also minor amounts
of vermiculite and/or montmorillonite are present. Although the cation
exchange capacities of the clay size fractions are moderate, the clays make
45
-------
TABLE 4. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
1-B
Quartz
Feldspars
Kaolinite
Montmorillonite
Mica
Dolomite
Calcite
Side rite
>t* Gypsum
Pyrite
Magnetite
0-5'
60
15-20
10
--
5-10
5-10
5
Tr
--
3
--
30-40'
55-60
20-25
5-10
5-10
5-10
3
Tr
--
--
--
--
SL-4
0-10' 0-5'
65-70 60-65
5-10 20
5-10 10
10
5
10
5 3
3 Tr
--
--
--
95-100'
50-55
20
5
15
5
5
3
--
--
5-10
--
D-5
200-205'
50
20
5-10
15
5-10
3-5
3-5
--
--
5
--
300-305'
50
10-15
10-15
10-15
5-10
5
5
--
--
5
--
D-6 SL-3
0-5' 95' 0-5' 25-30' 45-50
50 50 65 65-70 65-70
15 15 10 10 10
10-15 20 10 5-10 5-10
15
555--
----53 3
7-10 353 3
--
--
5
.-
CLAY FRACTION
Wt % of Total
Kaolinite
Ullte
Montmo rillonite
Vermiculite
ND
P
m
--
m-Tr
ND
M
Tr
--
--
ND
P
m
Tr
Tr
ND
m
Tr
m-M
Tr
ND
m
m
m-M
Tr
ND
m
m
m-M
Tr
ND
m
m
m
Tr
ND
m
m-Tr
m-Tr
Tr
ND
M
m
Tr
Tr
0. 19
M
m
m-Tr
m-Tr
0. 14
M
m
m
__
0. 16
M
m-Tr
m
m
-------
TABLE 4. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA (Cont.)
ENERGY FUELS MINE. COLORADO
D-9
0-5' 45-50' 95-100' 145-150' 171-175'
Heavy
Sep.
95-100'
CD-7A
13'
18'
Zl'
28'
29'
36'
42'
50'
53'
58' 64'
77'
82'
Quartz
Feldspars
Kaolinite
65 55
10-15 10
5-10 15
45-50 55-60
Montmorillonlte --
Mica
Dolomite
Calcite
Side rite
Gypsum
Pyrite
Magnetite
Wt % of Total
Kaolinite
Illite
5-10 5
5-10
5 5-10
5
20
m
Montmo rillonite Tr
Vermiculite Tr
10
10
10
5
Tr
Tr
5
Tr
ND ND ND ND
m-M m-M M M
m-M m
m
Tr Tr
m-Tr m-Tr m-Tr
70-75
5
10
5
Tr
ND
M
m
m-Tr
15-20 60-70 65
10-15 10
10-15 10
70 70 65-70 70-75 70
10 10 10-15 10 10
5-10 5-10 5-10 10 10
65-70 65 60 70-75 70-75 65-70
10-15 5-10 5-7 15-20 15-20 10-15
5-10 10-15 10 10 5-10 5-10
15 5-10 5 5 -- 5 5
10-15 5-10 5-10 5-10 5 5-10 5-10 5-7 5 -- -- 5
-- 5 5 5 5 -- 5 5-10 3-5 3-5
30-40 Tr 3 Tr -- 10 5 -- 5-10
20-25 -- 5
CLAY FRACTION
ND 0.21 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND 0.33 ND ND ND
M MMMMMMMMMMMM
m mmmmmmmMMMMM
Tr Tr
Tr
Tr Tr
m m-Tf m-Tr Tr
m-Tr
ND -- not determined
P -- predominant (eat. 4-80%)
M -- major (est. 40-80%)
m -- minor (eat. 10-40%)
Tr -- trace (est. 1-10%)
-------
up only a small proportion of the total sample.
The x-ray fluorescence analyses of the bulk rocks reveal no obvious
anomalies. For the clay-size fraction, these analyses show significant en-
richment in copper, zinc, chromium, nickel, and iron in most samples.
Little if any enrichment in either titanium or manganese is apparent. Lead
is present in the bulk rock at levels up to 140 mg/1, although in one clay-
size fraction a value of 530 mg/1 was attained.
Water Chemistry
Analyses of waters from the Energy Fuels Mine are presented in
Table 5. These analyses are plotted on the vector diagram* in Figure 16.
The vector diagram shows that certain types of waters are grouped together.
The first group consists of D-6, CD-8, S-10, D-9, and Pond 1. All these
waters, with the exception of Pond 1, are sodium bicarbonate ground waters.
Pond 1, a surface sample upstream of the mine is a mixed cation (calcium-
magnesium-sodium.), bicarbonate water. All samples in this group have a
low total dissolved solids (TDS) content.
The second group of waters consists of S-6, S-9, and D-14. Sample
D-14 is a sodium-predominant mixed anion water (bicarbonate plus sulfate).
Samples S-6 and S-9 are mixed cation-sulfate-predomlnant waters. All
three waters have intermediate ionic strengths and TDS content. All three
of these waters occurred in association with shales.
The third and final group consists of all remaining surface samples
(P-Z, P-3, spoils flume, and Stream 1) and the lysimeter samples (SL-3 and
SL-4). These are mixed-cation, high-TDS sulfate waters. These surface
samples are all at or downstream of the mine and both lysimeter samples
were taken from the spoil piles.
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
Energy Fuels Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predictive
method:
Climate. Semi-arid conditions prevail and evaporation generally ex-
ceeds precipitation, but surpluses do occur during the spring of the year.
* For an explanation of the vector diagrams used in the report, see Section
8; Graphical Representation of Waters.
48
-------
TABLE 5. WATER DATA
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
vo
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (*C)
PH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
Conductivity (jjmhos)
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (*C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solid* (mg/1)
Ca+2 (mg/1)
Mg« (mg/1)
Na+1 (mg/1)
K+l (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
SO4"2 (mg/1)
HCO,-l(mg/l)
C0j-2(mg/l)
Cl-Mmg/1)
Pond
1
13.8
9.2
14.0
450
13.8
9.2
416
36.0
37.0
33.0
2.2
<0. 1
68
141
53
17
Pond
2
14.0
8. 1
21.0
1,860
14.0
8.1
2,546
365.0
127.0
30.0
2.9
0.3
1,450
273
2
10
Pond
3
17.0
6.2
0
2,400
17.0
6.2
3,058
429.0
151.0
30.0
5.2
0.4
1,750
141
0
10
Spoils
Flume
10.2
8.4
16.0
1,750
10.2
8.4
2,475
400.0
187.0
38.0
3. 7
0. 1
1,440
296
0
10
Stream
1
14.5
8.0
10.0
2,000
14.5
8.0
2,444
250.0
229.0
134.0
2.6
0. 1
1,540
544
0
55
Lysimeter
SL-3
10.0
7. 7
3.0
2, 100
10.0
7.7
3,000
407.0
176.0
200.0
22.0
0.50
1,650
271
0
59
Lysimeter
SL-4
4.0
6.5
0
1,700
4.0
6.5
2,448
229.0
122.0
371.0
6.0
0. 10
1,450
219
0
47
Well
S-6
7.2
7.4
14.0
1, 180
7.2
7.4
1,568
242.0
105.0
59.0
1.4
0.2
735
384
0
13
Well
S-9
10.2
7.2
11.0
1,380
10.2
7.2
1,710
153.0
106.0
223.0
3.9
0.5
800
547
0
16
Well
S-10
7.2
7.6
8.0
710
7.2
7.6
798
41.0
20.0
200.0
3.3
0.4
176
571
0
11
Well
D-6
9.0
7.9
14.0
800
9.0
7.9
795
14.0
8.0
286.0
2.0
<0. 2
263
490
0
33
Well
CD-7
6.3
10.0
13.0
240
6.3
10.0
318
28.0
15.0
18.0
25.0
<0. 1
1,393
269
5
32
Well
CD-8
13.7
7.7
9. 1
450
13.7
7.7
450
36.0
19.0
108.0
2.6
0. 1
70
312
0
10
Well
D-9
11.4
9.6
0
780
11.4
9.6
860
5.4
1.2
271.0
2.7
1.3
100
543
48
10
Well
D-14
8.0
6.5
0
880
8.0
6.5
1,086
79.0
24.0
237.0
3.0
0. 7
500
454
0
18
-------
No1
o
o
o
tn\
Victor* Lobtted with
Samplt Nomb«r» and
TDS in mg/l
Yampo Rivtr
/>SsBtlow Craig
10
20
% meq/l
Figure 16. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado. (Dashed lines from U.S. G. S.
Water Resources Data for Colorado, 1975. Green River
Basin. Analyses appear in Appendix Table C-9.)
50
-------
Geology. The geology is structurally simple with gently dipping
strata and no major faulting at the mine.
Hydrogeology. Both unconfined and confined ground-water conditions
exist at the mine. The deeper, confined aquifers are in some cases flowing
artesians.
Mineralogy. Carbonates present included dolomite, calcite, and
siderite. Dolomite usually was more predominant than calcite, and small
quantities of pyrite and gypsum were present. Kaolinite was the major clay
mineral, although minor amounts of vermiculite and montmorillonite were
present.
Water Chemistry. Deep artesian waters were generally sodium bi-
carbonate type with intermediate TDS. The shallow ground waters were
calcium-bicarbonate-sulfate waters with a low TDS. Waters in contact with
spoils material were highly mineralized, having TDS content approximately
six times higher than surface water upstream of the mine. The predominant
ions in these waters were calcium and sulfate.
EDNA MINE
The Edna Mine is located approximately 3 mi southeast of the Energy
Fuels Mine. It is owned and operated by the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Co.,
a subsidiary of Gulf Oil Corp.
Topography in the area is similar to that at the Energy Fuels Mine,
namely rolling hills interspersed with steep gullies and cliff areas. Two
large streams provide drainage from the area; Trout Creek to the north,
which flows northeast, and Oak Creek to the east, which flows almost due
north in the mine area. Figure 11 shows the drainage pattern in the Edna
Mine area.
Climate
The climate at the Edna Mine is not unlike that at the Energy Fuels
Mine, except for a slightly greater amount of snowfall. This is due to the
approximately 500-ft higher altitude at the Edna Mine and the generally
more rugged terrain adjacent to the Edna Mine. Springs and seeps in this
area tend to be perennial, and probably are attributed to the protracted
melting season.
Geology
The location of the Edna Mine with respect to the Energy Fuels Mine
places it in relatively the same geologic setting. The only major difference
51
-------
being that the Edna Mine is located approximately 70 ft higher stratigrapic-
ally than the Energy Fuels Mine. It occupies the east limb of the Argo syn-
cline, which is a smaller structure within the Twentymile Park syncline.
The sediments in this area are dipping approximately 10° to the west toward
Trout Creek. The Wadge coal seam of the Williams Fork Formation is
presently being extracted from this mine. Figure 17 shows an idealized
block diagram of major geologic features at the Edna Mine, and Figure 18
shows a detailed description of core from Hole CD-I.
Sampling Points
Ground-water sampling sites at the Edna Mine were placed in acces-
sible locations where the Lennox coal seam was last mined. Mining of the
Lennox seam in this area was not complete because the drilling in the spoils
often encountered undisturbed lenses of the Lennox coal. Figure 19 shows
the location of sampling points, ground-water flow directions, and the drain-
age basin boundaries within the mine area. Field logs of the holes drilled
are presented in Appendix A.
The holes drilled for ground-water sampling were located upgradient
and downgradient from those points at the base of spoils from which springs
issued. In addition, some holes were located upgradient from perennial
ponds.
Samples of the ponds and of the springs were taken to provide back-
ground data on water quality upstream from its point of discharge, at the
point of discharge, and at intermediate points.
Hydrogeology
In a related, but as yet unpublished report, McWhorter, et al. (3)
described the hydrology of the Edna Mine area in some detail. McWhorter
divided the mine into individual watersheds based on surface topography.
Each of these watersheds was equipped with monitoring stations to determine
the surface discharge (see Figure 20). Some of the same phenomena
observed by McWhorter were also noted during the course of this investiga-
tion; namely, most of the precipitation on spoils is either evapotranspired,
infiltrated, or ponded in depressions and later infiltrated, with little or no
overland flow.
The recharge areas for ground water at the Edna Mine are similar to
those for the Energy Mine; namely, the strata exposed between the Trout
Creek and Twentymile sandstones. Shallow alluvial aquifers along Trout
Creek would be recharged by the creek during times of high flow. Trout
Creek has its headwaters to the north where it flows over Mancos Shale of
Cretaceous Age. It is quite likely, therefore, that shallow alluvial waters
52
-------
NOT TO SCALE
Figure 17. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features. Edna Mine, Colorado.
53
-------
^ "^ •• . nt
2 CO CO CO C
O ^ O ^* r» •*— C
^P**1 o K o toO co co
f4et * ******
10 r
20
30
40
50
fissile coal
clay
limonite
gypsum
Missing
limonite
iron stain
mudstone
interbeded
coal/mud
fissile coal
Figure 18. Detailed description of core from
Hole CD-I. Edna Mine, Colorado.
54
-------
U1
1331 OOCU 0009 OOK 000* OOOE OOOt 0001 0 000
Figure 19. Sample location map. Edna Mine, Colorado.
-------
Spoils
Figure 20. Individual watersheds on the Edna Mine
spoils, and discharge monitoring stations used by
McWhorter. (After McWhorter) (3).
56
-------
along Trout Creek will reflect to some degree the composition of the Man-
cos Shale. Trout Creek is the primary drainage from the Edna Mine area.
The quality of the stream will not, however, have any effect on the ground-
water quality of the overburden material currently being removed.
Areally, deep ground-water movement is from east to west toward
the axis of the Twenty-mile syncline. More locally, shallower, ground-water
movement would also be from east to west as evidenced by the springs and
seeps along the bluff on the east side of Trout Creek.
Mineralogy
Lithologic examination of Core CD-I revealed that it consisted of 39%
sandstone, 35% siltstone, 6% shale, and.20% coal (see Figure 18). The
sandstones and siltstones varied from non-calcareous to extremely calcare-
ous. A sandstone stratum less than 1-ft thick at 27 ft was found to contain a
large amount of gypsum. Iron staining was common throughout the section,
but pyrite was not observed.
X-ray diffractometer scans of selected samples from Cores CD-I,
S-10, and SL-12 revealed that the minerals present were quartz, feldspar,
kaolinite, mica, calcite, dolomite, and gypsum (see Table 6). Some x-ray
patterns revealed traces of possible pyrite. X-ray diffraction analysis re-
vealed the main clay to be kaolinite with minor amounts of clay-mica, some
quartz, and in one case, minor-to-trace amounts of vermiculite. Montmor-
illonite was not detected in any of the samples.
Water Chemistry
The water analyses are shown in Table 7, and a vector plot of this
data is shown in Figure 21. Most of the ponds, springs, and lysimeter sam-
ples have very similar composition to the calcium-magnesium-sulfate type
waters. The analysis of the water from Pond 1 must be discarded because
of the extreme cation-anion imbalance; similarly, S-8, which could not be
plotted on the vector diagram must also be discarded. Lysimeter Sample
SL-12 is high in sodium and enriched in magnesium relative to calcium. No
explanation for this anomalous composition is immediately apparent.
Samples S-5 and S-7, both from shallow alluvial aquifers, would be
expected to have similar composition but do not. Sample S-7 is a calcium-
magnesium, bicarbonate and probably represents the pure alluvial aquifer.
Sample S-5, on the other hand, could be explained by the mixing of sample
S-7 and a surface water which would result in a calcium-magnesium-sulfate-
bicarbonate with an intermediate TDS content as is observed.
57
-------
TABLE 6. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Quartz
Feldspars
Kaolinite
Montmo rillonite
Mica
Dolomite
Calcite
Siderite
Gypsum
S-10
0-10' 20-30' 60-70'
70-75 50 50-60
10-15 5 10
15 15-20 20
_ _
__
10
5-10 10
_.
5-10 --
0-5'
60
5
10
--
--
5-10
3-5
--
--
SL-12
5-10' 10-15'
50 65
5 5
10 10-15
10
5
5-10 5-10
5 5
--
._
CD-I
15-18' 21' 86.2'
60 65-70 65-70
10 10 10
10 10 10
--
5 5 5-10
5-10 --
Tr
__
__ __ -_
CLAY FRACTION
Wt % of Total 0. 13 0. 14 0. 12 0. 16 0. 16 0. 18 0. 12 0. 06 0. 17
Kaolinite MMMmmM MMM
Illite m
Montmorillonite --
Vermiculite
m m
Tr Tr
Tr Tr
m m
m
Tr Tr Tr
m
Tr
m
m
m-Tr
ND -- not determined P -- predominant (est. +80%)
M -- major (est. 40-80%) m -- minor (est. 10-40%)
Tr -- trace (est. 1-10%)
58
-------
TABLE 7. WATER DATA
EDNA MINE. COLORADO
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
PH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
Conductivity (^mhos)
Pond
1
25.0
8.2
9
2,380
Pond
2
24.0
8.3
14
2, 170
Pond
3
16.8
7.3
0
2, 180
Spring
1
9.8
7.2
15
1,625
Spring
2
10.0
7. 1
17
1,640
Spring
3
10.3
7.6
15
1,810
Spring
4
11.5
7.4
15
2,000
Lysimeter
SL-3
8.5
6.8
4
1.940
Lysimeter
SL-10
12.0
6.9
2
2,400
Lysimeter
SL-U
7.0
8.4
2
4,050
Well
S-5
10.0
7.0
3
1,220
Well
S-7
8.0
7.3
5
140
Well
S-8
14
7. 1
8
560
(Jl
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (°C) 25.0 24.0 16.8 9.8
pH 8.2 8.3 7.3 7.2
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1) 2,740 2,226 2.574 2,480
10.0 10.3 11.5 8.5 12.0
7.1 7.6 7.4 6.8 6.9
2.456 2,782 2,810 2,920 2,850
7.0 10.0
8.4 7.0
5.440 1,550
14.0
7. 1
608
Mg+* (mg/1)
500 386 415
150 113 151
Na+l (mg/1)
K+l (mg/1)
S04-2(mg/l)
HCOj-l(mg/l)
CO,-* (mg/1)
Cl'Mmg/l)
26.0
4.7
230
128
0
13
25.0
2.7
1,488
53
2
14
22.0
2.6
1,250
107
0
13
407 415 472 486 440 420
169 150 178 157 182 111
11.4 13.7 14.0 25.0 26.0 86.0
2.2 2.6 2.2 3.2 4.0 5.0
1,650 1,563 1,563 1,725 1,875 1.634
168 247 163 162 137 253
00000 0
10 10 10 12 11 47
170 276 26
158 92 10.7
1,140.0 24.0 4.8
38.0
2,975
730
0
22
4.0
775
410
0
14
1.3
25
116
0
4
276
29
14.0
6.6
1.530
181
0
14
-------
Spring 4 2,810
Vactor* Lobtltd wHh
Somplt Numbtr* and
TDS in mg/l
Pond 3 2,574
Springs 2,782
Figure 21.
% meq/l
"Vector" diagram of water compositions. Edna Mine, Colorado.
60
-------
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
Edna Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predictive method:
Climate. Semi-arid conditions prevail and evapotranspiration gen-
erally exceeds precipitation, but surpluses do occur during the spring of the
year.
Geology. The geology is structurally uncomplicated. No faults or
fault zones were noted.
Hydrogeology. Only unconfined ground-water conditions were ob-
served at the mine.
Mineralogy. Calcite, dolomite, and gypsum were the principal reac-
tive minerals observed. Traces of pyrite were detected, but iron staining
was common throughout the section indicating that pyrite may have been
present originally.
Water Chemistry. Water from an upstream shallow alluvial aquifer
was found to be very low in TDS and contained calcium-magnesium bicarbon-
ate as the major constituents. The surface waters from the spoils all con-
tained calcium, magnesium, and sulfate as the principal ions, and they were
high in TDS.
McKINLEY MINE
The McKinley mine is owned and operated by the Pittsburg and Mid-
way Coal Mining Co. , a subsidiary of Gulf Oil Corp. The mine is located
approximately 30 mi north and west of Gallup, New Mexico, and approxi-
mately 5 mi east of Window Rock, Arizona. The mine is situated on the
western margin of the San Juan Basin and covers approximately 32,000
acres, portions of which are owned by the Federal Government, the Pitts-
burg and Midway Coal Co. , and the Navajo Nation.
The mine occurs in an area of low-lying mesas and gullies with a
maximum relief of approximately 250 to 300 ft. Drainage from and through
the mine area is via the Tse Bonita Wash which drains to the southwest
through the active mine area (see Figure 22). The Tse Bonita Wash is an
intermittent stream that flows only during the sporadic thunderstorms occur-
ring throughout the area.
61
-------
CTi
NJ
Figure 22. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
-------
Climate
The area in the vicinity of Gallup and the McKinley Mine is arid and
receives only 8 to 12 in. of precipitation per year, most of which falls dur-
ing the summer as thunderstorms. No perennial streams exist in the area
investigated. Annual temperatures are moderate, with a mean January
temperature of 26 °F and a mean July temperature of 68 °F. The average
annual temperature is 49. 7°F«
Evapotranspiration calculations for the towns of Zuni, San Juan, and
Navajo show annual deficits of soil moisture of 13. 9, 11. 1, and 16. 57 in. ,
respectively. June and July show the greatest monthly deficit, 36. 7 and
36. 6 in. It is clear that precipitation will have little or no effect on ground-
water quality in this area unless an attempt is made to contain the sudden
runoffs of summer thunderstorms, as is done at the McKinley Mine. Even
then, the infiltration of impounded water is probably very slow, as well as
areally minimal, and its effects can therefore be considered negligible.
Geology
The McKinley Mine, which is situated in the Gallup coal field, lies
in an area on the western margin of the San Juan Basin known as the Gallup
Sag. The area is composed of gently dipping to relatively flat-lying sedi-
ments bounded on the east and on the west by monoclinal structures, with the
Zuni and Defiance uplifts dipping toward the basin center. Rocks outcropping
in the Gallup Sag are Cretaceous and Tertiary, comprised of the Mancos
Shale, Mesaverde Group, and some later Tertiary sandstones and shales.
Coal is mined from five commercial coal seams found in the Upper
Cretaceous Gibson Member of the Crevasse Canyon Formation and the
Cleary Member of the Menefee Formation. Both formations are of the
Mesaverde Group. The Crevasse Canyon and Menefee Formations are sep-
arated in the southern part of the San Juan Basin by the Point Lookout Sand-
stone, •which does not appear in the Gallup Sag. For this reason, the two
members are normally referred to as the Gibson Member of the Menefee
Formation, in the Gallup field (11).
The various lithologic constituents of the Gibson Member are very
lenticular and difficult to correlate. Observation on highwall pits and drill
holes revealed shales and sandstones alternating with coal seams of various
quality and thickness. The rocks in each of the pits show considerable roll-
ing structure and lenticularity, and dip generally to the southeast at angles
of approximately 5°. Contacts between sandstone and shales are gradational
in many places. Sandstone units are medium-grained with thin layers of
organic material and are generally thicker in exposed highwall faces than the
shale layers. Much of the shale is either poorly consolidated or weathered,
63
-------
and some calcareous claystones with calcite vugs were observed in the Sec-
tion 5 pit. Iron staining was noted in shales above and below coal seams.
Figure 23 presents the major geologic features of a section of the
McKinley Mine. Due to the lenticularity of the rocks, individual lithologic
units cannot be accurately correlated over the entire mine area. Field logs
of all holes drilled are presented in Appendix A. Figures 24 through 26
present a detailed lithologic description of Holes EMK-1, EMK-6C, and
EMK-11.
Sampling Points^
"Water at the McKinley Mine was found to be standing in the mine pits
of Sections 5, 32, and 33. Discussion with mine personnel indicated that
this water was accumulated from the runoff of thunderstorms during the
summer and snowmelt in the spring. These ponds thus acted as recharge
basins to the underlying spoils material. Locations of sampling points in
the McKinley Mine area are shown in Figure 27.
Lysimeters were placed in the saturated zone of the spoils to collect
water moving from the pits through the spoils. Water samples were also
collected from the pits to allow comparisons of water quality before and
after movement through the spoils. Of the holes drilled at the McKinley
Mine, five encountered water: EMK-5L, 7L, 8, 10, and 13L.
Hydrogeology
Ground-water recharge to the McKinley Mine area is believed to
result primarily from the Chuska Mountains to the north and the Defiance
uplift to the west. Direct summer precipitation is not likely to contribute
significantly to recharge in the mine area. Additional recharge probably
occurs along the flanks of the basin where the beds are tilted, exposed, and
covered with vegetation at altitudes of 6,500 ft or greater. The Cretaceous
rocks with which surface waters would come into contact prior to reaching
the mine area are those of the Menefee Formation.
Aquifers in the Menefee Formation are thin, lenticular, and tongue
out to the northeast; therefore, movement of water toward the center of the
San Juan Basin is restricted. These aquifers are likely to be imperfectly
interconnected, thus creating a multiple hydraulic system in the western
part of the San Juan Basin (25). The Dalton Sandstone Member of the Cre-
vasse Canyon Formation, in addition to deeper underlying sandstone, pro-
vide sources of low-volume ground water. Ground-water movement in these
units, in the vicinity of the mine, is likely to be toward the south (see Fig-
ure 27).
64
-------
Tse Bonita Wash
(arrow indicates flow direction)
NOT TO SCALE
Figure 23. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features, McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
65
-------
0 *"
*» i1 * — *»^ ^
Depth 2 = 2 = H .-= o
i,!; o «OWOWOT
Feet 4 444444
Op. • • • • • • •
10
"* '•
'*••
'*' • ' *.'.
gypsum
-Min.
-Min.
-Min.
-Missing
30
40
50
. ... .. •... j - -. _ -. • • • .1
'-.-. •.^'^-v.' '•,;>':', .*. '. .-{resii
^^ ^^q
Missing
•Min.
60 ^
>% .•=
O (O
. . c
V> V> o
» £• >• >•.? i
2 r=. 2 •= 3 .•= o
O OT CJ COCJ W OT
60r
70
80
-Min.
-H20 level, Min.
100
Min.
»TD
Figure 24. Detailed description of core from
Hole EMK-1. McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
66
-------
2 v>
CJ
Depth 2
in o
Feet *
>. « I
i1 >> — >>
— 2 ? 2
WO OTO
1*1 +
S>
« g
« "5
sl
10
"CS
^.•/.-•.••.••.•^.iv.v.-:Tl
Jlimonite
'." yrV^v^b-/'-';- '.'^limonite
80 L
Figure 25. Detailed description of core from
Hole EMK-6C. McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
67
-------
10
20
• . • • ••
:Lir^ ~
— • " •• "
t •
• j
limonite
pyrite, resin
-Min.
H20 level
Min.
100
Figure 26. Detailed description of core from
Hole EMK-11. McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
68
-------
cr>
vo
'«*• ^^£ " "-''-C/7 J-X \
_>"" -^>^"fc4"-'-r—V7J? ^T't
jpoo 4000 woo bO» TOCO
Figure 21. Sample location map. McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
-------
Depths-to-water in open wells drilled for this program indicate that
waters from pit areas move downdip into the coals. Water level elevations
are generally lower in the wells situated the farthest downdip away from the
highwall pits.
Ground-water discharge in the area flows to the alluvium of the
Puerco River and possibly across the low structural divide to the Black
Mesa Basin (25).
Surface water flows in intermittent washes, generally westward into
Black Creek approximately 8 mi west of the mine area. Water is collected
in the Section 5 pit by a diversion weir at the north end of the pit which di-
verts flood waters and run-off from Tse Bonita Wash into the highwall pit
(see Figure 27). An earth dam is present in the pit to retain the collected
water. Section 32 and 33 pits intersect a tributary to Tse Bonita Wash. In
all cases, the flow in the washes is intermittent and often violent. The
southwest end of the drainage basin in which the mine is located is shown in
Figure 27.
Mineralogy
A lithologic examination of the cores from Holes 1, 6, and 12 showed
an average percentage of the components to be approximately 40% sandstone,
20% siltstone, 20% coal, and 20% clay, with most of the clastic fractions be-
ing calcareous. Small quantities of both pyrite and gypsum were observed
throughout the core.
The results of selected x-ray diffractometer scans are given in
Table 8. Calcite and siderite are the dominant carbonates, with dolomite
generally being rare to absent. The predominant clay is kaolinite, although
clay-mica and montmorillonite are generally present in small amounts.
Gypsum was positively identified in several samples. Other sulfates tenta-
tively identified in some samples, included anhydrite, epsomite, and rozen-
ite. Both epsomite and rozenite are almost certainly secondary, and both
are readily soluble in water.
Water Chemistry
The majority of McKinley Mine surface and ground waters contain
predominant sodium and sulfate, as shown in Figure 28 and Table 9. Sev-
eral well samples, however, are of the sodium-bicarbonate type (see EMK-
1, 6, and 8). Arranging all these sodium-bicarbonate waters on the basis
of ionic strength, wells completed in sandstone are the weakest and are of
the sodium-bicarbonate type. All other samples reflect water movement
through or near coals and, as such, are sulfate rather than bicarbonate
types.
70
-------
TABLE 8. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Hole 1 Hole 2 Hole 3
16' 22' 74' 87' 101' 30-35' 65-70'
Quartz 40 50 40 40 50 40 50
Feldspars 5-10 20 25 15 10 25 10
Kaolinite 20 15 20 5 15 25 25
Mica 20 5-10 55 10 2 10
Calcite --1 5-- 20 5 3
Siderite 5 5 35 ? 5 5
Wt % of Total ND ND 6 ND 4 14 26
Kaolinite M M M M MM M
Illite Tr m m m-Tr Tr Tr Tr
Vermiculite -- m Tr Tr -- -- m
Hole 4 IloleS Hole 6 Hole 7 Hole 8 Hole 11 Hole 12 Hole 13 Hole 14 Hole 15 Pit Pit
20-25' 45-50' 40-50' 55' 69' 50-55' 30-35' 70-75' 80-85' 74' 75' 30-35' 55-60' 50' 32 34
50 50 45 50 50 55 50 35 50 50 50 45 50 50 60 65
20 30 10 5 15 10 5 25 10 20 25 5-20 10 5-10 20 15
20 15 15 15-20 20 20 40 10 15-20 20 20 15 10-15 15 15 10-15
5 5 --5 5 -- -- 10 5 5 Tr 5 5-10 5 Tr
55 5 -- 15 -- Tr -- -- -- Tr -- Tr
Tr -- Tr 5 -- 10 ? 55 -- -- -- -- --
5-10 5 Tr -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 5
CLAY FRACTION
24 ND 16 19 12 10 26 11 39 7 ND 25 27 11 18 11
M M MM MM M MMM--M M M MM
Tr Tr Tr Tr m Tr Tr Tr Tr m -- m m m-Tr m m-Tr
Tr m Tr Tr Tr Tr Tr Tr Tr Tr -- Tr -- -- Tr --
ND -- not determined P -- predominant (est. +80%) M -- major (e«t. 40-80%) m -- minor (est. 10-40%) Tr -- trace (e«t. 1-10%)
-------
80
70
HCO
"*•
ol
60
50
40
5 4,450
30
20
10
Vtctors Labeled with
Samplt Number* and
TDS in mg/l
Pit 37 3,230
Pit 32 3,010
8 1,750
I 1,330
6 2,410
\L
10
Figure 28.
20
30
% meq/l
40
50
60
"Vector" diagram of water compositions.
McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
72
-------
TABLE 9. WATER DATA
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
pH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
Conductivity ((jmhos)
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (°C)
pH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca+2 (mg/1)
Mgn(mg/l)
Na+» (mg/1)
K+1 (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
SO4"2 (mg/1)
HCCV1 (mg/1)
CO3-2 (mg/1)
Cl-1 (mg/1)
Pit 32
8.5
8.2
2
2,325
8.5
8.2
3,010
121.0
58.3
729
12. 1
<0. 1
1,740
660
0
60
Pit 33
9.5
8. 1
8
2,300
9.5
8. 1
2,650
156.0
78.8
540
9.61
0.069
1,450
590
0
40
Pit 34
10.0
8.2
2
1,800
10.0
8.2
2,050
87.9
30.2
453
9.03
<0. 1
1, 180
390
0
30
Pit 37
4.0
8.2
2
2,450
4.0
8.2
2,450
121.0
60.3
757
10.6
0.3
1,840
610
30
50
Well 1
10.5
7.7
2
1,475
10.5
7.7
1,330
12.0
4. 1
472
5.51
<0. 1
271
1,170
0
30
Well 2
8.5
7.75
3
2,400
8.5
7.75
2,320
18.8
5.4
742
4.28
0. 3
1, 187
854
0
50
Well 4
12.5
6.8
2
4,000
12. 5
6.8
3,890
38.2
12.6
1,320
6.92
0.4
1,930
1,380
0
50
Well 5
13.0
7.0
2
5,500
13.0
7.0
4,450
273.0
11.6
1,390
18.6
0
2,800
760
0
80
Well 6
11.0
8.5
2
1,625
11.0
8.5
2,410
14.9
4.33
553
4.43
9.5
107
1,560
0
20
Well 7
12.5
6.5
4
2,000
12.5
6.5
2,000
284.0
94.5
273
14.7
0.332
1,310
480
0
50
Well 8
12.5
7.0
2
2,000
12.5
7.0
1,750
49.8
13.8
532
7. 19
7. 1
509
1, 180
0
20
Well 11
11.0
6.5
3
4,700
11.0
6.5
5,290
157.0
85.4
1,390
11.6
1.0
2,940
910
0
90
Well 12
9.5
7.0
3
3,800
9.5
7.0
5,500
105.0
35.9
1,490
10. 1
6.5
2,940
910
0
40
Well 13
7.5
7.4
4
2,225
7.5
7.4
2,320
92.2
38.9
680
13.9
0
1,350
810
0
70
Well 14
12.0
8. 1
2
2,300
12.0
8. 1
1,980
11.4
3.38
596
3.25
3.7
967
810
0
20
-------
The predominance of sodium over calcium or magnesium can be
attributed to the large amounts of clay encountered in the overburden and the
paucity of carbonates. Calcium and magnesium released into the waters by
the dissolution of calcite and dolomite are ion-exchanged by the abundant
clays which release sodium.
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
McKinley Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predictive
method:
Climate. Low precipitation and high evapotranspiration is charac-
teristic of the area.
Geology. The geologic structure of the mine may be described as
simple although, because of lenticularity of beds, the stratigraphy is com-
plex.
Hydrogeology. No extensive aquifer systems were encountered in
the mine area. Surface water infiltration provided the primary water-
mineral interaction.
Mineralogy. The most significant feature of the mineralogy is the
presence of readily soluble sulfate minerals containing calcium, magnesium,
or iron. Pyrite is present in small amounts. Carbonates are also present
and exceed the amount of pyrite.
Water Chemistry. Surface waters and ground waters occurring in
association with coal aquifers are generally sodic, usually with high sulfate.
Sodium-bicarbonate ground waters were found in association with non-coal
aquifers.
MEDICINE BOW MINE
The Medicine Bow Mine is operated by the Medicine Bow Coal Co. , a
joint venture of Hanna Basin Coal Co. and Dana Coal Co. The Hanna Basin
Coal Co. is a subsidiary of Rocky Mountain Energy Co. , a subsidiary of
Union Pacific Land Resources Co. The Dana Coal Co. is a subsidiary of
Arch Minerals Corp. Because the mine has been operating only since 1975,
the spoiled areas are relatively new, and provide the time factor in data
evaluation.
The Medicine Bow Mine is located in the Hanna Basin of south-
central Wyoming. The basin is an intermountain structural feature approxi-
mately 35 by 20 mi. The mine is situated immediately north of the town of
74
-------
Hanna and approximately 4 mi east of the Seminoe Reservoir.
Topographically, the area consists of undulating hills to areas of
ridges and gullies that tend to be elongated northwest-southeast. The prin-
cipal drainage from the mine area is provided by the intermittent streams
Middle Ditch and Big Ditch which flow northwestward to the Seminoe Reser-
voir and ultimately to the Platte River (see Figure 29).
Climate
The climate in the vicinity of Medicine Bow is semi-arid. Tempera-
tures average 43. 3°F annually with widely varying extremes. Mean monthly
maximum and minimum temperatures range from 30 °F to 12 °F in January,
and from 92 °F to 53 °F in July. Snowmelt and rain in April, May, and June
account for nearly half of the mean annual precipitation of about 12 in. High
winds are common in the Hanna Basin due to its high elevations and low roll-
ing hills as well as the paucity of trees. The average annual wind speed
ranges from 12 to 14 mph.
Calculations of potential evapotranspiration and actual evapotranspir-
ation from Saratoga, Wyoming, approximately 40 mi south of Hanna, show
that a surplus of soil moisture occurs at no time during the year. The sum-
mer and early fall months show soil moisture deficits ranging from 0.5 in.
in October to 4. 0 in. in July. Total annual evapotranspiration was calcu-
lated to be 9. 5 in. , while the annual total deficit is 10. 1 in. , leaving a 0. 6
in. deficit for the year. Slopes facing south are more subject to the summer
heat and perennial winds than north-facing slopes, therefore offering greater
evapotranspiration and a minimum of vegetation (26).
Geology
The Medicine Bow Mine lies near the western margin of the Hanna
Basin. Coal in the Medicine Bow Mine is extracted from five commercial
seams in the Ferris Formation, which is comprised of sediments ranging in
age from Late Cretaceous to Paleocene. The entire formation is approxi-
mately 6, 500 ft in thickness, of which approximately 1,100 ft are Cretaceous.
The Ferris Formation consists of shale, mudstone, siltstone, and
fine-to-coarse grained sandstones with as many as 45 subbituminous coal
seams (16). All units are lenticular, and correlation of seams over large
distances is not reliable (26). The rocks of the Ferris Formation dip gently
to the east, toward the center of the basin, with an average local dip of
approximately 8°. Several major north-northeast trending faults appear 2 to
3 mi north of the mine area. Only one major normal fault with a displace-
ment of 70 ft was encountered in the study area. This fault defines the
eastern limit of the mine operation (see Figure 30). Numerous other small
75
-------
I \
Figure 29. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
-------
NOT TO SCALE
Figure 30. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features. Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
77
-------
faults can be seen to intersect the highwall pits, but none are considered of
regional importance.
The soil in the vicinity of the mine is very sandy and extends 4 to 5
ft below the surface. Figures 31 and 32 show detailed core descriptions for
Holes MBW 33-11-1 and MBW 33-4-2. The coals are numbered from oldest
to youngest. Separating the coals is a sequence of fine-trained rocks grad-
ing from sandstones to shaley siltstone. Field logs of the holes completed
during the investigation .are presented in Appendix A.
Sampling Points
Figure 33 shows the general configuration of the mined area and lo-
cations of holes and surface sampling points.
Holes 33-4-1 and 33-4-2 were drilled on opposite sides of the
fault zone which was established by the mine personnel. One purpose of
these holes was to determine if the fault zone appreciably affected the move-
ment of ground water from east to west.
Four surface water samples were collected from ponds in and around
the mine area to establish any relationships with the ground water. Ponds
1 and 2 are situated to the west of the mine adjacent to Big Ditch (see Figure
33). Ponds 3 and 4 a re-on the east side of the mine in the path of future
stripping operations.
Hydrogeology
Recharge to the Tertiary Age Hanna and to the Cretaceous Age Fer-
ris Formations in the mine area is postulated to be from the east and from
deeper, northwestward flowing waters moving upward from artesian aquifers
below the coals (27). Additional recharge may result from infiltration of
precipitation on the land surface, but this would be negligible. The Medicine
Bow Mine lies parallel to Big Ditch, a major tributary to the North Platte
River. Middle Ditch, a tributary to Big Ditch, is intersected by the mining
operations. Although intermittent, it is likely that the alluvial materials be-
neath these streams afford some recharge to the underlying materials or, at
a minimum, provide a shallow conduit for water movement to the Seminoe
Reservoir. Figure 33 shows a portion of the drainage basin which repre-
sents the area of the mine sampled for this investigation. The drainage ba-
sin for Big Ditch actually extends a considerable distance to the south and to
the east. The southern divide includes part of the spoils from the Seminoe
Mine, and the eastern extension of the Big Ditch drainage encompasses two
older, currently abandoned strip mine areas. It is doubtful that these aban-
doned areas would significantly affect the quality of any waters at the Medi-
cine Bow Mine.
78
-------
.^ £ Crf - ®
O CO CO m. O
o >, >.<"*;
>» ?? >* ^_ >» ^* c
Depth ^ .— ° .-2 - o
jp O CO O COO CO CO
Feet I * * * * I +
Or. -. • • •
10
>. .— co' . »>
.0 CO to CO g
O CO O COO CO CO
I * + i * + +
80
90
100
dolomite
MO^Bpyrite
! gypsum
120
130
— H20 level ,40 _. ;/
1 plant fossils , gypsum
-Min.
gypsum
150
Figure 31. Detailed description of core from
Hole 33-11-1. Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
79
-------
^ CO B
jr to co to §
o >, >. co' •£
>« i1 * -_>>•? "i
Depth 5 •= o S5 = §
j,^ O COOtOOCOtO
Feet * I I I I I I
Or ••.•.........•...
10
20
30
40
50
60
70'
>> 5 co . »
° « to °? §
CJ CO O tOO CO CO
I * + * * * *
70n
80
90
100
110
120
130
•Win.
- H20 level
pyrite
« Min.
-Mln.
Figure 32. Detailed description of core from
Hole 33-4-2. Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
80
-------
a to uj co o
o >, >%«o t>
^ 0) ® >^ T)
Depth 2=2 ^1*5 o
jn o coucoocnco
Feet | | | * 4 i *
140 p
150 •
pyrite
»TD
2001-
Figure 32 (Cont.). Detailed description of core from
Hole 33-4-2. Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
81
-------
00
Figure 33. Sample location map. Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
-------
Ground-water movement through the mine area appears to be west-
northwest based on the work conducted by Davis (27). It should be noted,
however, that this movement was based on depth-to-water data from holes
of varying depths throughout the basin, and not on the basis of holes com-
pleted in a particular aquifer (27). The ground-water flow direction may
well reflect the northwest trend of faults in the area as well as the surface
drainage to the northwest.
Water from Pit 66 is pumped into a sump in the spoils west of the
mine, from which it is further pumped into two settling ponds along Big
Ditch (see Figure 33). Seepage in the west wall of the pit, below the sump,
indicates that some recirculation is occurring. The water in the settling
ponds is not likely to reenter the mine because of the relative position of the
ponds with respect to the areal ground-water gradient.
Two holes drilled on opposite sides of the north-south trending fault
in the mine area appear to substantiate some of the discussion concerning
ground-water movement. Hole 33-4-1 located on the east side of the fault
produced 50 gpm, whereas Hole 33-4-2 on the west side of the fault produced
a maximum of 25 gpm (see Figure 33). Figure 34 shows the water produc-
tion from each of these holes versus depth. The main producing zones in
these two holes are the interburden materials associated with the coals. The
higher water production during the drilling of Hole 33-4-1 is probably the
result of higher secondary permeability from fault-related fractures, and
from being in continuity with waters from the recharge area. The fault in
this instance appears to be acting as a barrier to flow from the east. The
water level elevation in Hole 33-11-1 also seems to indicate agradient to the
south on the west side of the fault. All three holes show water production
from interburden materials.
Ground-water discharge, based on the direction of ground-water
movement, would appear to be occurring to the west in the North Platte
River, and locally to those areas that are wet throughout the year.
Mineralogy
A lithologic examination of core samples from Holes 33-11-1 and
33-4-2 showed the average percentage of the components in overburden to be
approximately 55% sandstone, 25% siltstone, 5% limestone, and 15% coal.
The sandstones were generally highly calcareous.
X-ray diffraction of selected bulk samples revealed calcite and dolo-
mite to be the main carbonates, with siderite present in some cases (Table
10). Of the clay minerals which comprised 4% to 21% of each of the samples,
kaolinite predominated, with clay-mica present in all cases but in minor
amounts. Montmorillonite was present in minor-to-trace amounts in some
83
-------
00
8- o g g S
Q U O ^
0- —
40-
80-
120-
100-
200-
240 - ¥65
230-
1661
#631
280 -^i
V
JJ
g
MBW 33-4-1
Water Production (gpm)
20 40
MBW 33-4-2
li § -
ft 8 -
6QJQ
ja
«,
rt °* **
Water Production (gpm) "3 o u G &
40 r°,fe ^ Q
T -0
20
320 -
-40
-80
165*
-120
l - 160
Figure 34. Water production versus depth. Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
84
-------
TABLE 10. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
MEDICINE BOW MINE. WYOMING
Alkali Pit 1 Pit 2 Pit 3 Pit 4 Pit 5 Pit 66 Lake
Quarts 50 50 55 55 40 45 60 60
Feld.pars 10 10-15 25 5 5 10 10 10
Kaolinlte 10 10 10 5 20 10 10 10
MontmorUlonlte — -- -.5 — 5 5 5
Mica 5 10 5 10 5 10 5
Dolomite --5 5 -- 5 15 3 5
Calcite 25 2 -- 10 10 2 5-10
Gyp«um 5 -- 3 15 -- Tr ?
U1
Wt % of Total ND 11 10 4 21 15 8 9
Kaolinlte NDM MMMMM M
Illite ND m mm m-M m-M m-M m
Montmorlllonlte ND — — — Tr m Tr m
Vermiculite ND -- Tr
Soil from
Haul Soil from
Hole 33-4-2 Hole 33-11-1 Road 33-4-2
S3-B 75-80' 85-90' 95-100' 47.51' 59' 69' 29 31
60 50 50 55 50 50 40 70 70
29 5-10 5 10 20 10 5 5 10
5-10 10-15 5-10 -- 15 10 10-15 5 5
Tr -- -- Tr — -- Tr
Tr 5 5 10 5 5 5-10 Tr 5
Tr 10 30 5 5-10 5 Tr -- Tr
5 10 1 10 Tr Tr 5 -- 5
.. 5 .. Tr
Tr
10
CLAY FRACTION
4 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
MMM MMMM ND M
m m-M m m m m m-M ND m
Tr m Tr m m-M -- -- ND Tr
Tr — -- -- — Tr — ND
Topsoll from Encrutt.
Stockpile Between
Enit of Main Settling
Haul Road Pondi
32 34
70 70
5 5-10
5-10 5
Tr
Tr 5
--
5 1
..
ND ND
M ND
m ND
ND
ND
ND -- not determined
P -- predominant (e»t. +80%)
M -- major (e«t. 40-80%)
m -- minor (eit. 10-40%)
Tr — trace (eit. 1-10%)
-------
samples. Both gypsum and pyrite were observed in x-ray diffraction pat-
terns in addition to being observed throughout the cores.
Water Chemistry
Examination of the water data (see Table 11) revealed that both sam-
ples from Hole 33-11-1 were severely in error as indicated by the lack of
cation-anion charge balance. Surface Sample S-3B is also suspect for the
same reason. Ignoring these three analyses, the vector diagram, (see Fig-
ure 35) for the Medicine Bow waters cluster toward the calcium-magnesium-
sulfate compositional area. One exception to this is the Seminoe Reservoir
sample which is a calcium-bicarbonate type water.
Inspection of drilling logs for Hole 33-4-1 showed that the casings
were perforated opposite the coal beds. Ground waters were high in sul-
fates because the represented water from coal beds. In order to determine
if ground water from beds other than coal was compositionally similar to
waters from the coal, U. S. Geological Survey data of several ground and
surface waters (28), both adjacent to and removed from the mine area were
plotted as a vector diagram (see Figure 36). These water analyses were all
compositionally similar to the waters obtained at Medicine Bow during this
project. This indicates that either: a) the ground water has been mixed with
surface water, or b) the ground water has independently reached the same
composition as the surface water. Because the composition of ground water
outside and upgradient of the mining area (Sample 33-4-1) was similar to
ground-water compositions at the mine, it was concluded that the latter is
the case. This is not an unreasonable conclusion given the nature of the
rocks underlying and in between the coal seams in this area. Any clay beds
which might act as barriers to mixing of ground-water ions are notably
lacking. The ground-water compositions in this area are, therefore, a
function of mixing between water types which might have occurred had com-
munication between aquifers been restricted. As such, they represent an
average composition of waters moving through coals, sandstone, and shales.
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
Medicine Bow Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predic-
tive method:
Climate. Average infiltration is minimal due to high evapotranspira-
tion and low precipitation. Because half of the annual precipitation occurs
during April, May, and June, flushing of solubles from the spoils is most
likely to occur during these months or during sudden storms in the summer
months.
86
-------
TABLE 11. WATER DATA
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
00
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature ('C)
pH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
H2S (mg/1)
Conductivity (jjmhos)
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (*C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca+ (mg/1)
Mg+2(mg/l)
Na+l(mg/l)
K+l (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
SO,'2 (mg/1)
HCOj"1 (mg/1)
CO;2 (mg/1)
Cl-Mmg/1)
Pit 1
10.5
6.0
i
0
3,625
10.5
6.0
5,864
381
390
460
10.7
<0. 1
3, 190
410
0
46.0
Pit 2
6.5
6.0
5
0
4, 125
6.5
6.0
6,614
445
484
576
13.2
<0. 1
3,950
180
30
61.0
Pit 2A
(repeat)
15.0
7.9
9
0. 1
6,000
15.0
7.9
5,662
431
450
515
14.2
<0. 1
3,516
390
0
100.0
Pit 3
7.0
6.0
4
0. 1
3,950
7.0
6.0
6,544
515
497
521
11.2
<0. 1
3,880
675
0
66.0
Pit 4
14.5
6.5
8
0
2,500
14.5
6.5
2,962
262
193
234
10.0
<0. 1
1,760
290
0
35.0
Pit 5
9.5
5.0
8
0. 1
2,375
9.5
5.0
1,760
215
193
95
8.3
<0. 1
1,070
189
0
27.0
Pit 66
14.0
7.2
6
0. 1
6,000
14.0
7.2
8,430
559
621
812
15.8
<0. 1
5, 118
668
0
137.4
Lake
(Semlnoe Water
S3-B Reservoir) Truck
6.5
6.0
4
0
6,000
6.5
6.0
10,419
400
808
I, 150
13.7
<0. 1
8,360
650
0
70.0
15.0
7.8
5
0. 1
4.25
15.0
7.8
162
31.8
10.2
19.9
2.0
0.3
70
113
0
22.0
5.0
6.5
6
0
1,675
5.0
6.5
2,889
222
174
215
8.6
<0. 1
1,560
250
0
40.0
Well
33-4-1
10.0
6.5
3
0. 1
2,400
10.0
6.5
3,270
335
252
165
7.2
0.7
1,905
598
0
37.2
33-4-9
(repeat)
11.0
8.2
4
0. 1
3,900
11.0
8.2
3,840
365
257
318
13.8
<0. 1
2,350
309
0
52.5
Well
3-11-1
14.0
11.0
7
0
3,950
14.0
11.0
3,078
736
<1
178
45.0
<0. 1
1,430
0
60
30.0
Well
33-11-1
(repeat)
13.5
60
6
0. 1
5,537.5
13.5
12.0
2,342
582
<0. 2
189
110.0
<0. 1
760
0
90
33.7
-------
Vectors Labeled with
Sample Numbers and
TDS in mg/l
P-4 2,962
Drilling Water 2,889
P-2 6,614
;P-I 5,864
P-66 8,430
P-12 5,662
P-3 6,544
% meq/l
Figure 35. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
88
-------
90
80
70
60
a-
v
82
50
40
30 -
Vectors Labeled with
Sample Numbers and
TDS in mg/l
i/
/
»f
^
rf/ *\
$P / \ Henna Draw
/
/
/ /'+*"
°/ $/ / ^ ***
/ */ S «
&
/
/
* y' /'
-i*/ ^
10
20
30
40
50
% meq /1
Figure 36. "Vector" diagrams of water compositions.
Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming. (Dashed lines from U. S. G. S.
Water Resources Data for Wyoming, 1975: Platte River Basin and
Ground Water in Wyoming. Analyses appear in Appendix Table C-10.).
89
-------
Geology. The geology of the mine area is structurally simple, involv-
ing nearly horizontal beds of sedimentary rock. Lenticularity of beds makes
correlation difficult.
Hydrogeology. Water-production logs show that ground water in the
Medicine Bow Mine area is in an unconfined configuration. The absence of
impermeable clays in the section would allow free mixing of waters from
sands, coals, silts, and fractured shales, thus producing an average water
composition.
Mineralogy. Potentially reactive minerals in the rocks of the over-
burden include calcite, dolomite, gypsum, pyrite, kaolinite, and at the sur-
face, thenardite and arcanite. The latter two are secondary, and reflect the
high sulfate content of evaporating surface waters. The amount of carbon-
ates present in the overburden exceeds the amount of pyrite.
Water Chemistry. Ground and surface waters alike are of the
calcium-magnesium-sulfate type. One exception is the Seminoe Reservoir
sample, which is a calcium-bicarbonate water.
ROSEBUD MINE
The Rosebud Mine is located approximately 3 mi north of the town of
Hanna, Wyoming, in T22 and 23N, R81W. It is approximately 15 mi east of
the Medicine Bow Mine. The Rosebud Mine is owned by the Rosebud Coal
Sales Co. and is operated by Peter Kiewit and Sons Co.
The topography in the Rosebud Mine area is similar to that of the
Medicine Bow Mine. Major recent strip-mining activity has been in a north-
west trend, with mining occurring to the northeast.
No major drainages occur in the Rosebud Mine area; however, inter-
mittent streams to the east of the Rosebud Mine area are draining to the
east-northeast, whereas those to the west are draining to the south-
southwest. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Rosebud Mine is shown in
Figure 37. Considerable ponding exists in the older Nugget strip area in
Section 10 to the south of currently active operations.
Climate
Climate conditions do not differ appreciably from the Medicine Bow
Mine (see Medicine Bow Mine).
90
-------
Figure 37. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the
Rosebud Mine, Wyoming.
91
-------
Geology
The Rosebud Mine lies in the south-central part of the Hanna Basin
where Tertiary coals from Paleocene through Eocene Age are being mined
in the Hanna Formation. The Hanna Formation consists predominately of
sandstones, carbonaceous shales, and coal. Figure 38 shows a detailed
description of core from Hole 3R4S-15-1.
Structurally, numerous northwest-southeast trending faults exist in
the area to the southwest. A steeply dipping normal fault strikes northwest
through the mine area and has a displacement of 600 to 800 ft (29). This
fault passes through and serves as a boundary for the western edge of one of
the active pits at the Rosebud Mine (see Figure 39). The majority of faults
southwest of the mine show displacements of not more than 200 ft.
Coals are being mined from Seam 80 on the flanks of a local synclinal
structure, which accounts for the L-shaped form of the pits (see Figure 40).
The subbituminous coal of Seam 80 averages approximately 15-ft thick in the
mine area. The overlying sandstone units contain scattered traces of coal
with alternate stringers of carbonaceous shale. Field logs of the holes drill-
ed are presented in Appendix A.
Sampling Points
Only two holes were drilled at the Rosebud Mine for the collection of
ground-water samples and overburden material; however, numerous surface
water samples were taken (see Figure 39). The waters sampled from the
Nugget Mine pits appear to be from, ground-water discharge in that the depth-
to-water in Hole 3R4S-15-1 is perennially similar to the surface water ele-
vation in the Nugget Mine ponds. The quality of water from these ponds is
significantly different than from the holes.
Hydrogeology
Recharge in the Rosebud Mine area occurs principally from direct
infiltration of precipitation on the sands of the Hanna Formation, and in part
through downward percolation along the northwest trending faults.
Ground-water movement is not as well defined, but can be assumed
to follow the direction of the surface drainage which is south-southwest.
Water level elevations in Holes 34R4-16-1 and 3R4S-15-1 reflect this south-
erly movement (see Figure 39).
Ground-water discharge in the mine area is occurring to some extent
in the abandoned Nugget Mine pits. Movement in this direction may be
caused in part by the fault which serves as a boundary to the mine operations
92
-------
*- to «
o co coco' §
o >, >.co *;
Depth S = s — 2 — a
,„ o co o coo co w
Feet + ******
Or
10
20
Gypsum
on outside
of core
Missing
S w co* w §
fl> QJ ^j
o co o wo co co
I * + **; +
70
80
A—Min.
)t-'- •.'.-'.'.• •'.'.'.'..-:.7-.• -Igypsum 100
=i<— Minor Coal Seam
'.ygypsum
S?-Static H,0 level 38.8
^r» L. * "•*• • • ^ « i..-,
"^ L^_L_!_i^_-^—^--^—J^^^H1J gypsum "^'
•• 1st. H20 41.5
Missing
• •
-------
Ranxey
/•
4
A Surface Water Sample Location
• Hole Location (Water Elevation)
QO~ Fault (Arrow Showi Dip Dir. 8 Angle)
General Ground Water Flow Direction
Outline of Block Diagram Area
Strike and Dip
20OO Feet
Figure 39. Sample location map. Rosebud Mine, Wyoming.
94
-------
NOT TO SCALE
Figure 40. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features. Rosebud Mine, Wyoming.
95
-------
and in part by the synclinal structure on which the pits are developed. Hole
3R-RS-15-1 produced considerably more water than Hole 34R4-16-1, which
is probably a result of its closer proximity to the axis of this synclinal fea-
ture. Figure 41 shows water production versus depth for Hole 3R4S-15-1.
Mineralogy
Lithologic examination of Core 3R43-15-1 showed it to be composed
of approximately 75% sandstone and 10% siltstone (both calcareous), and 15%
coal. Gypsum was observed in the elastics and pyrite in the coal.
X-ray diffractometer scans of selected bulk samples revealed cal-
cite and dolomite to be present in most of the samples, although generally
occurring in small quantities (Table 12). The clay fraction from pond sedi-
ment samples and from some core samples consists of major amounts of
kaolinite and minor amounts of clay-mica, whereas other core samples con-
tain major quantities of montmorillonite in addition to the kaolinite and
clay-mica. Clay-size quartz is present, but in minor amounts in most sam-
ples. In some cases, however, clay-size calcite becomes a major consti-
tuent. X-ray diffractometer scans also revealed gypsum to be present in
one core sample as well as in the majority of samples from surface ponds.
Pyrite was detected in the coal sample.
Water Chemistry
All water samples from the Rosebud Mine were plotted as a vector
diagram (see Figure 42). Cation-anion imbalance for Samples R-l, R4-P4,
and 3R-45-15-2 is sufficiently large to disqualify them from consideration
as valid data points.
Essentially all the samples analyzed have similar compositions, with
the exception that the calcium-magnesium ratios divide the samples into two
groups (Table 13). One group contains surface waters from the Nugget
Mine, which are enriched in magnesium relative to calcium, with a high
TDS value. The second group contains both surface and ground waters with
calcium/magnesium ratios similar to those ratios for other mines.
The enrichment in magnesium over calcium found in the Nugget Mine
waters is a function of the relative solubilities of magnesium and calcium.
sulfate. In all cases, the concentration of aqueous magnesium sulfate is ten
to one hundred times higher in the Nugget Mine waters than in the Rosebud
Mine waters. While the solubility of gypsum in these waters has been
exceeded at this point in time, the solubility of starkeyite has not. There-
fore, selective removal of calcium by the precipitation of gypsum is greatly
enriching these waters in magnesium.
96
-------
0 r
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
r
3 5 10 15
Water Production, gpm
Figure 41. Water production versus depth
during drilling. Rosebud Mine, Wyoming.
20
97
-------
TABLE 12. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
00
Hole 34R4-16-1
Coal
5 -10' 80 -85' 125 -130' 150 -155'
Quartz 50 50 50 x
Feldspars 5-10 15-20 Tr
Kaolin 10 10 15-20 x
Montmorillonite
Mica Tr 5 10 x
Dolomite
Calcite 5 -- -- x
Gypsum 20
Pyrite -- -- -- x
Wt % Total ND ND ND ND
Kaolinite M M M ND
Illite Tr m m ND
Montmorillonite -- -- -- ND
Vermiculite -- -- -- ND
Hole 3R4S-15-1
27' 73'
50 50
25 25-30
10 10-15
5 10
Tr Tr
-.
Tr Tr
--
ND ND
M M
Tr Tr
m M
Tr Tr
115.9'
50
5-10
20
Tr
5
5-10
Tr
CLAY
ND
M
M
m
Tr
Haul
Road Pit 4-S
Soil Soil
60 60
5-10 10
5 10-15
5-10
--
Tr
FRACTION
ND ND
ND ND
ND ND
ND ND
ND ND
Nugget
Nl N2 N3 N4 Pit 4 Pit 4S Pond 1 Pond 4 Well 1 Well 2
50 55 65 55 60 60 65 60 60 50
5 10 10 15 10 10-15 10 10 20 20
5 15 15 10 10 10 5 15 10-15 10
5 10-15 5 5 Tr 5 5 -.5 Tr
5 Tr ?
? -- ? 5 5
20 5 Tr Tr -- -- -- -- -- Tr
ND 9 8455 5 5 ND ND
m M MmMM M M ND ND
Tr Tr -- Tr -- Tr -- -- ND ND
-- -- Tr -- -- Tr -- -- ND ND
x -- present in unspecified amount
ND -- not determined P -- predominant (est. +80%)
M -- major (est. 40-80%)
m -- minor (est. 10-40%)
Tr -- trace (est. 1-10%)
-------
HCO
..*!
3!
Vtctors Lobeltd with
Sampl* Numb«ri and
TDS in mg/ I
34R4-I6-I 3,680
Pond I 1,162
N-3 8,926
Figure 42. "Vector" diagram of water
compositions. Rosebud Mine, Wyoming.
99
-------
TABLE 13. WATER DATA
ROSEBUD MINE. WYOMING
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (*C)
PH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
H2S (mg/1)
Conductivity (jjmhos)
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (*C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca+1 (mg/1)
Mg+l (mg/1)
Na+l (mg/1)
K+l (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
S04-< (mg/1,
HCOj" (mg/1)
COj-Mmg/1)
cr1 (mg/1)
Pond
1
18.5
7. 1
7
0. 1
1,200
18.5
7. 1
1,162
119.5
73.5
70.5
9.75
<0. 1
588
194
0
23
Pond
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5,739
403
447.0
373.0
16.0
<0. 1
3,306
455
0
64
Pond
4
14.0
7.6
6
0. 1
800
14.0
7.6
904
124
45.0
31.2
5.8
<0. 1
472
0
0
17
R-l
12.0
7. 1
5
0. 1
2,650
12.0
7. 1
4,408
277
342.0
60.0
13.2
0.2
2,584
236
0
23
R-2
11.0
7.9
7
0. 1
1,525
11.0
7.9
2,125
145
157.0
95.0
9.0
<0. 1
1,173
244
0
25
Pit 4
(R4-P4)
12.0
8. 1
4
0. 1
4,950
12.0
8. 1
3,118
349
163.0
111.0
10.8
<0. 1
1,921
342
0
23
Pit
4S
14.0
7.9
21
0. 1
2,275
14.0
7.9
2,966
354
176.0
183.0
10. 1
<0. 1
1,529
506
0
33
Well
1
11.4
7.0
28
0. 1
3,565
11.4
7.0
6,490
609
550.0
163.0
9.0
0. 1
3,465
SOS
0
65
Well
2
10.0
6.9
2
0. 1
2,000
10.0
6.9
3,044
345
231.0
89.0
8.0
<0. 1
1,546
549
0
29
Well
3
9.0
6.9
2
0.1
1,600
9.0
6.9
2,166
208
113.0
235.0
9.3
<0.2
1,059
622
0
19
Well
34R4-
16-1
11.0
7.2
4
0. 1
2,300
11.0
7.2
3,680
481
283.0
73.0
13.3
<0. 1
2,043
543
0
19
Nugget
Nl
15.0
3.55
6
0. 1
4,525
15.0
3.55
6,508
468
751.0
73.0
19.1
9.3
4,495
0
0
38
Nugget
N2
13.0
7.9
5
0. 1
5,750
13.0
7.9
7,506
522
970.0
128.0
38.2
<0. 1
4,885
351
0
73
Nugget
N3
15.0
7.9
5
0. 1
6,000
15.0
7.9
8,926
481
1,170.
202.0
34.5
<0. 1
5,844
339
0
95
Nugget
N4
12.0
8.5
205
0. 1
16,500
12.0
8.5
30,784
411
0 4,870.0
1,100.0
6.0
0.2
18,854
623
136
555
Well
3R4S-
15-1
0
7.1
3
<0. 1
1,700
3.0
7.1
1,185
258
126.0
90.2
6.42
1.8
803
516
0
9
-------
Pond R4-N1 has a pH of 3. 5 and is abnormally high in trace-element
content. Possible causes for this are:
• Locally high concentrations in the surrounding spoils of
coal, presumably pyritic, the oxidation of which would
produce acid waters in the absence of carbonates.
• The dumping of effluent from an unidentified source.
This could take the form of actual dumping of solid or
liquid wastes into the pond, or result from introducing
material hydrologically upgradient of the pit which then
could alter the nature of ground water entering the pit.
Although the pH of this water was evidently correct, as supported by the
trace element content, it was not possible to determine if the low pH was
caused by mining conditions or by some unknown external factor. The dis-
parity between the pH values of Pit N-l and the three adjacent Pits N-2,
N-3, and N-4 tends to suggest the second possibility.
By arranging all waters in order of increasing ionic strength, the
Nugget Mine waters are distinguishable as a group, characterized by high
ionic strengths (see Appendix Tables D-56 through D-59). Ground and sur-
face waters, however, are not distinguishable on the basis of ionic strengths.
Ground-water samples taken near or at a coal bed did not consistently have
higher or lower ionic strengths than samples from non-coal strata. These
results are similar to those from the Medicine Bow Mine and, with the ex-
ception of the Nugget Mine waters, the overall composition, ion ratios, and
ionic strengths of waters from both mines are very similar.
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
Rosebud Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predictive
method:
Climate. Average infiltration is minimal due to high evapotranspir-
ation and low precipitation. Flushing of solubles from the spoils is most
likely to occur during April, May, and June.
Geology. The geology of the Rosebud Mine area is structurally sim-
ple. Strata are gently folded and only one fault crosses the mine area.
Hydrogeology. Ground water isunconfined as in the case of the Medi-
cine Bow Mine area. The overburden lacks clays or shales which might
allow differentiation of waters to occur. The water chemistry, therefore,
reflects the composition of the entire overburden.
101
-------
Mineralogy. Potentially reactive minerals in the overburden include
minor amounts of calcite, dolomite, gypsum, pyrite, and kaolinite. The
amount of carbonates in the overburden exceeds the amount of pyrite.
Water Chemistry. With the exception of the Nugget Mine waters,
ground and surface waters at the Rosebud mine were calcium-predominant,
calcium-magnesium-sulfate waters. Nugget Mine pit waters were also
calcium-magnesium-sulfate waters, but magnesium was greatly enriched
over calcium. No sodium-bicarbonate waters were found at this site.
KEMMERER MINE
The Kemmerer Mine is located near the towns of Frontier and Kem-
merer, Wyoming, in T21N, R61W. This area is within the Kemmerer coal
field which is a part of the Hams Fork coal region of western Wyoming. The
Kemmerer operation involves a total of 13 coal seams. For the purposes of
this report, operations on all 13 seams and the 2 tipples will be referred to
collectively as the Kemmerer Mine.
Elongate ridges and valleys reflect the underlying structural geology
of the area which consists of a series of north-south thrust faults. Relief in
the area is approximately 600 ft. Drainage is to the east through numerous
intermittent streams and ultimately south to the Hams Fork River. Surface
drainage in the Kemmerer Mine vicinity is shown in Figure 43.
Climate
The Kemmerer area is semi-arid to arid, with an average annual
precipitation of only 9.2 in. Winds are generally high, averaging from 12 to
14 mph. May and June produce the greatest monthly rainfall amounts, and
average 1. 7 in. /mo. E vap ot r an s pi ration exceeds precipitation throughout
the year, leaving a soil moisture deficit of 15.6 in.
Geology
The Kemmerer Mine area differs considerably from the other coal
areas in the Rocky Mountains in that it lies in the Wyoming Overthrust Belt,
as opposed to a basin-type structure. This belt is characterized by tightly
folded Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks which were thrust eastward over folded
Cretaceous rocks during Laramide time. Younger, Cretaceous and Terti-
ary rocks were later deposited unconformably over the folded and faulted
older rocks and are relatively flat-lying (6). The belt extends in a narrow
band from the southwestern corner of Wyoming northward to the Gros Ven-
tre uplift near Jackson Hole.
102
-------
'• • J i
-V I \ {>
Figure 43. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the
Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming
103
-------
No major faulting is evident in the mine area, although highwall
faces often expose minor fault sets with a few inches to a few feet of dis-
placement. The mine lies approximately 3 mi east of the Absaroka Thrust,
a high-angle overthrust fault with at least 3 mi of displacement. The fault
occurred in very Late Cretaceous or Early Paleocene Age (30).
The coal-bearing rocks of the Hams Fork region are the Cretaceous
Bear River, Frontier, and Adaville Formations, and the Paleocene Evans-
ton Formation. The Kemmerer Mine extracts coal from the Adaville For-
mation, which consists of a yellow-brown calcareous sandstone that weath-
ers gray, siltstone, carbonaceous clay, and coal (30). The Adaville Forma-
tion outcrops in the Kemmerer Mine area on the eastern flanks of a major
synclinal structure known as the Lazeart syncline. The western flank of this
structure is vertical or overturned with a dip to the west of approximately
35°; its eastern flank dips to the west approximately 30°, but it was not de-
formed by the Absaroka Thrust (30). In the vicinity of the Kemmerer Mine,
the average dip is 18° to the west, which is relatively steep for stripping
operations and limits the depth to which a surface mine can penetrate (see
Figure 44).
The lenticularity of the constituent beds of the Adaville Formation
can be clearly seen in the highwall faces of the mine. Most of the coal
seams exposed in the-highwalls of the north-south trending pits can be ob-
served to pinch out, split, and coalesce over the length of the pits. Changes
in the lithology of partings are evident as well, with sandstones grading
laterally and vertically into shales and siltstones. Figure 45 shows adetail-
ed description of the core from Hole KCW-4-1 at the Kemmerer Mine. The
coal zone of the Adaville Formation can be traced continuously over a dis-
tance of approximately 100 mi (16), but local stratigraphic variations render
individual beds and partings difficult, if not impossible.
Sampling Points
Two holes were drilled at the Kemmerer Mine; unfortunately, both
holes proved to be dry. Neither of these holes, located as shown in Figure
46, encountered the coal seams being mined.
Five surface waters were sampled, located as shown in Figure 46.
This sampling consisted of four field determinations, and detailed laboratory
analyses which were performed in duplicate.
Hydrogeology
The structural features of the Hams Fork region serve to complicate
the hydrogeology such that few generalizations can be made. Recharge to
the rock units in the area is primarily through direct infiltration of rainfall
104
-------
Spoils
NOT TO SCALE
Figure 44. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features. Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming.
105
-------
X = OT . ?
O V) . CO CO o
<-> >. >-co t;
D?Pth r! ^ £ i^vs
in
o co o coo co co
Feet
On
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
>. ?- CO *>
o CO to W 5
O ^ T^tn 2
o co o co o co co
4 444444
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160 -Z—'^—^——
Figure 45. Detailed description of core from
Hole KCW-4-1. Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming.
106
-------
pyrite
i=^=t—-—' '•' ' '
230
-Win.
240^
S1 = to «
5 " *£*
>, >» 51, >• >, >> -S
J2 ? £ = 5 ? §
o co o co o co co
+ ******
240 r.
250
260
-*T.D.
Figure 45 (Cont.). Detailed description of core from
Hole KCW-4-1. Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming.
107
-------
o
00
I ) Block Diagram Ar«a
—i— Strict and Dip
••• Baiin
Figure 46. Sample location map. Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming.
-------
and snowmelt; however, because one aquifer abuts or overlies another,
some recharge can occur along contact zones (15).
Ground-water movement is likely to be structurally controlled and
reflected in surface drainage. Some movement undoubtedly occurs between
aquifers that are in contact as described above. Impoundments in the Kem-
merer Mine area are common in almost all of the pits, except those exca-
vated in Seam 3. Only Pit 3-U-A in Seam 3 was found to contain water. The
origin of the perennial waters in these pits is open to conjecture; however,
the low average annual precipitation and high evaporation rates in this area
suggest a ground-water origin. Hole KCW-4-1 drilled on the west side of
Pit 1-G was dry the entire 40 ft. A deeper hole to the east drilled to a
depth of 307 ft, was also dry. The latter hole was updip and downslope from
Pit 4-U-B which contained water. No water accumulated in either hole after
standing open for 24 hr.
Some small, perennially flowing seeps can be seen on the highwall
face of Pit 1-G, as evidenced by accumulations of ice in these zones during
winter months. This fact would suggest at least some minor crossdip aqui-
fer communication.
Ground-water discharge is likely to be represented by the above-
mentioned seeps and by the perennial ponds in some pits. These ponds re-
portedly maintain a fairly constant elevation throughout the year, indicating
that they are being fed by a ground-water source. The amount of ground-
water contribution to these ponds, although constant, must be of low volume
inasmuch as no surface discharge from the ponds is noted. This condition
would indicate that evaporation rates are approximately equal to inflow
rates. Some discharge may also occur to other basins as a result of inter-
formational movement. In this instance, it would be possible for a particu-
lar unit to receive recharge from one basin and discharge into another basin.
Mineralogy
The lithologic composition of the core examined contained approxi-
mately 42% sandstone, 23% siltstone, 32% shale, and 3% limestone. Some
pyrite and gypsum was observed.
Present in all samples were major kaolinite and major-to-minor
amounts of clay-mica. Montmorillonite and vermiculite were virtually ab-
sent in all samples. Carbonates present included calcite, dolomite, and
siderite which, although ubiquitous, were generally present only in small
quantities. Gypsum was also present in almost all samples and comprised
up to an estimated 25% of some samples. Pyrite was present in minor to
trace amounts in many of the samples (see Table 14).
109
-------
TABLE 14. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
Pond
10-U-C
Quartz 60
Feldspars 5
Kaolin 10
Montmo rillonite
Mica Tr
Dolomite
Calcite 5
|_i Siderite Tr
O
Gypsum
Pyrite 5
Hexahydrite
Kaolinite M
Illite M
Pit 1-G Hard Hole Hole
Pit Pit Pit Pit Pit Pit Pit Encrustations Spoils Pan 4-1 4-2 Encrustations
1-G 9-U-D 1-A 4-U-F 1-B 1-A X Pond 1 Pond 2 4-U-F Pit 1-G 220'-225' 40'-45' 9-U-D 1-B 4-U-F 10-U-G 1-A
60 65 60 60 65 60 65 55 55 30 10-15 50 55 65 55 40 55 40
Tr 2 2 5 3355 52 Tr 10 5 5 10 Tr -- 5
15-20 15 10-15 10-15 10 -- 20 15 15 10 5-10 10-15 15 10 15 5 10 25
5 5 -- Tr Tr 5 Tr 5 Tr Tr Tr Tr 5 55 -- 20 5
Tr -- -- -- Tr -- 5 --55
Tr 55 7 -- Tr -- ? -- -- .-- -- -- -- 55
5 -- 5 -- -- Tr Tr -- -- --5 --5 -- -- 5
Tr -- 5 20 -- 25 10 -- -- -- -- -- 5-10 555
5 -- -- -- .... 5 5 .. 35 55 .. 5.10 .... 5 5
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 40 -- 25
CLAY FRACTION
M M M M M M M ND ND M ND M M ND ND ND ND ND
m Mm m m -- m ND ND m-Tr ND m m-M ND ND ND ND ND
ND -- not determined
P -- predominant (est. +80%)
M -- major (est. 40-80%)
m -- minor (eat. 10-40%)
Tr -- trace (est. 1-10%)
-------
Water Chemistry
All waters from the Kemmerer Mine area were plotted in a vector
diagram (see Figure 47 and Table 15). These samples include one surface-
water sample from Pit 1-G, at the Elkol Mine, and several regional ground-
water analyses from a recent study by Lines and Glass (15). The ground-
water analyses from this study represent spring and well waters derived
from alluvium and bedrock in the vicinity of the Kemmerer Mine.
Pit 1 was a calcium-magnesium sulfate, high-TDS water, while reg-
ional ground waters were calcium predominant, calcium-magnesium rich,
low-TDS, bicarbonate waters. Bicarbonate content varies widely in these
ground waters, but in no case does sulfate ever exceed the bicarbonate val-
ue. Ground water from the Hams Fork Formation in the immediate vicinity
of the town of Kemmerer, is one of the most sulfate-rich ground waters
noted. These waters have bicarbonate to sulfate ratio of only 1. 5. By com-
parison, pit water from the Elkol Mine has a bicarbonate to sulfate ratio of
0.07, with a TDS content twelve times that of the local ground water.
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
Kemmerer Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predictive
method:
Climate. Average annual rainfall in the Kemmerer area is 9.2 in.
and is fairly well distributed throughout the year. Evapotranspiration ex-
ceeds precipitation throughout the year producing a soil moisture deficit of
15. 6 in.
Geology. The structural geology of the Kemmerer Mine is the .most
complex of any of the mine sites investigated. Mining takes place in rela-
tively steep-dipping strata. Lenticularity of the coal beds makes correla-
tion of core-hole data difficult.
Hydrogeology. Because of the structural complexity of the Kemmer-
er Mine area, the hydrogeology is not well understood. Both holes drilled
on the mine property were dry; therefore, only surface-water samples were
taken during this study. A recent study of ground water in the Kemmerer
Mine area (15) shows that ground waters are derived from alluvium and bed-
rock sources.
Because coring operations showed that silty clays and shales are
abundant in the stratigraphic section at the mine, it is assumed that non-
alluvial aquifers occurring in the section are isolated.
Ill
-------
No*
VI
°
Vtctort Lab«U
-------
TABLE 15. WATER DATA
KEMMERER MINE, WYOMING
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
pH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
Conductivity (^mhos)
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (°C)
pH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca+2 (mg/1)
Mg+2 (mg/1)
Na+1 (mg/1)
K+1 (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
SO4"2 (mg/1)
HC03-1 (mg/1)
Cl'1 (me /I)
Pit 1-G
19
8.0
8
2,550
19
8.0
3,190
382
344
45.4
20. 1
0. 15
2,025
148
20
Pit 1-G
(duplicate)
19
8.0
8
2,550
19
8.0
3,208
382
344
44.8
20. 1
0.77
2,025
147
19
113
-------
Mineralogy. The sandstones, siltstones, shales, and coals of the
Adaville Formation exposed at the Kemmerer Mine contained the potentially
reactive minerals calcite, dolomite, side rite, pyrite, gypsum, kaolinite,
and hexahydrite. The last of these is undoubtedly secondary and results
from evaporation of magnesium-suf ate-rich waters at the ground surface.
Water Chemistry. A water sample taken from a pit in the Kemmer-
er Mine area was a high-TDS, calcium-magnesium-sulfate rich water, while
regional ground water from the nearby town of Kemmerer is a low-TDS,
calcium-predominant, calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate-sulfate water.
Other ground waters from the area are considerably less enriched in sulfate.
WYODAK MINE
The Wyodak Mine is located approximately 5 mi east of Gillette, in
Campbell County, Wyoming. The area along the eastern margin of the Pow-
der River Basin contains one of the world's largest known coal deposits.
The Wyodak Mine, in operation since 1925, is owned and operated by Wyo-
dak Resources Development Corp.
Topographically, the area of the mine consists of low rolling hills
with relief of approximately 100 ft. Several large depressions occur imme-
diately to the west of the mine area that intermittently contain water.
Donkey Creek, which flows from west to east, is the major drainage
within the immediate vicinity of the mine (see Figure 48). This stream
currently carries sewage effluent from the city of Gillette eastward where it
empties into the Belle Fourche River system.
Climate
The Wyodak Mine is situated in a semi-arid environment, similar to
the other mine sites investigated in this study. The mean annual tempera-
ture at Wyodak, based on the Gillette station, is 45 °F. Annual and daily
temperature variations are large because the area is subject to both mari-
time Pacific air masses and continental air masses originating in Canada.
Average annual precipitation in the mine area is 15. 8 in. , with a
large percentage occurring during the months of May and June. Summer-
time precipitation is in the form of showers with an occasional cloudburst.
Fall and winter snows tend to be light, whereas in the springtime heavy wet
snows fall with some rain.
Evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation throughout the year and is
probably attributable in large part to the relatively strong winds which aver-
age approximately 13 mph.
114
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Figure 48. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the Wyodak Mine, Wyoming.
-------
Geology
The Wyodak Mine is situated on the eastern margin of the Powder
River Basin. The coals form a part of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation,
which underlie an area of approximately 800 mi2. The coal is 200 ft or less
beneath the surface in over 117 mi2 of this area (31). In the active area of
the Wyodak Mine, the Wyodak-Anderson coal seam has only from 15 to 25 ft
of weathered overburden.
No major faults or other complicated geologic structures occur with-
in the mine area. The Wyodak-Anderson seam, which is a result of the
coalescing of the Anderson and Canyon^seams in the area south of the mine,
has a thickness of approximately 90 to 100 ft. These coal beds and associ-
ated bedrock units dip toward the west at less than 1°.
The Wyodak-Anderson coal seam is of subbituminous rank and, al-
though comprised of two units, displays only a very thin parting between
units (see Figure 49). The two units are somewhat different in fracture
density with the upper, Anderson unit, appearing to have a higher fracture
density than the lower, Canyon unit.
Sampling Points
Samples were recovered from a highwall face on the east wall of the
mine (see Figure 50). The Wyodak coal seam is in direct contact with a
fairly uniform dark-gray, fissile, carbonaceous shale approximately 2-ft
thick. Stringers of coal can be seen within this shale. A highly weathered,
essentially homogeneous sandstone unit overlying the shale contains a basal
conglomeratic unit approximately 3-in. thick (see Figure 51). This latter
unit consists of angular, 1- to 1. 5-in. sandstone fragments with fine, inter-
stitial sand. A network of very fine fractures can be seen throughout the
sandstone unit. These fractures contain a white sulfate mineral. Overlying
the shale and conglomeratic sandstone units at the sample location is a thin
layer of unconsolidated material composed of large fragments of clinker,
coal, clay, and poorly sorted sand.
Water samples were collected from the south pit, the north pit, and
from Donkey Creek at a point immediately to the south of the mine. The
water in Donkey Creek appeared to be moving partly through the overburden
and partly through the upper coal directly, prior to the discharging into the
pit area. A sample of water from the north pond was also collected, but the
data were not used because this pond receives recirculated waters from a
nearby power plant.
116
-------
NOT TO SCALE
*-Overburden Sample Location
Figure 49. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features. Wyodak Mine, Wyoming.
117
-------
00
: XJ \ ""•"•!'.
LEGEND
A Surface Water Sample Location
• Overburden Sample Location
OuttiM of Block Diagram Area
Satin Divid*
000 0 1000 7000 MOO 4000 WOO 6000 7000 FEET
Figure 50. Sample location map. Wyodak Mine, Wyoming.
-------
Spoils 2, 2A
Spoil 3
Spoils
Sand, some sandstone, basal
conglomerate zone with angu-
lar 1-1.5 in. fragments, SO4=
encrustations
Shale, dark gray, fissile,
weathered, carbonaceous
Coal
Figure 51. Description of overburden materials.
Wyodak Mine, Wyoming.
119
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Hydrogeology
Ground-water recharge in the area can be regarded as coming from.
direct infiltration of rainfall and snowmelt, and to some degree through sur-
face water sources in the area. The majority of wells in the surrounding
area are less than 300-ft deep and have water levels less than 200-ft deep.
These wells are constructed primarily in unconfined aquifers with only a few
constructed in semiconfined-to-confined aquifers.
Ground-water movement is basically from west to east with some
dispersion to the north in the area immediately east of the mine site (12).
The easterly flow direction follows the surface drainage rather closely.
No drilling was determined to be warranted at this site because of the
extremely large amount of exposure, relatively confined working area, and
exceptionally thin overburden. The Wyodak-Anderson coal seam is report-
edly a significant aquifer in the Gillette area, yielding water to wells at the
rate of 10 to 50 gpm (32). It is therefore likely that the coals account for
some ground-water movement through the area. The water that was ob-
served entering the south and east walls of the south pit, cannot, however,
be totally attributed to ground-water origins. Donkey Creek, which drains
the area south of the south pit, flows within several hundred feet of the high-
wall and is believed to be the source of the mine water. The streambed
over the entire length of the creek, and in proximity to the mine, has been
dredged out, and the sediments were piled along the streambanks. Coal can
be seen to comprise some of the dredged material, and the stream itself is
flowing approximately 15 ft below the natural land surface in an obviously
man-made cut. The presence of coal in the dredged material, and the depth
of stream bottom, indicates that the stream channel in this area has been
cut through the overburden; the water is now in direct contact with the top of
the coal. From these observations it is concluded that stream water is mov-
ing downward through the Wyodak seam to the top of the canyon, then mov-
ing laterally along the parting to emerge at the highwall. It is not likely
that water from the Wyodak-Anders on aquifer comprises a significant per-
centage of this water.
Ground-water discharge was not definitely found within the immedi-
ate area of the mine, although some of the waters entering the south pit, and
to some extent the minor seeps in the north pit, are ostensibly ground-water
related. Most shallow ground-water discharge appears to occur more to the
southeast, in the Belle Fourche River drainage.
Mineralogy
The lithology of the overburden at Wyodak Mine ranged from a cal-
careous sandstone to an argillaceous siltstone. Gypsum was detected in the
120
-------
sandstone and pyrite in the coal. Some iron staining was noted in the shale
above the coal, indicating the presence of what could have been pyrite.
X-ray diffractometer scans revealed the major minerals to be quartz, felds-
par, kaolinite, mica, calcite, and gypsum (see Table 16). The clay-size
fractions of most samples contained major kaolinite, major calcite, and
quartz with minor clay-mica. Montmorillonite and vermiculite were vir-
tually absent.
Water Chemistry
Surface-water compositions from the Wyodak Mine area are plotted
in Figure 52. The plots are corrected for chlorine content, which was un-
usually high in the Donkey Creek and highwall pit samples (see Table 17).
These surface samples can be categorized as calcium-magnesium-sulfate,
high-TDS waters. Chlorine enrichment occurs only in the surface water and
is due to upstream pollution from a sewage treatment plant. Because the
highwall pit water is derived from Donkey Creek, it displays the same chlo-
rine contamination.
No ground-water samples were collected at the Wyodak Mine. In-
stead, a literature search was conducted for ground-water compositions in
the area to test the feasibility of simplifying the data-gather ing phase of the
predictive method. Two regional investigations, one of the Powder River
Basin water resources (18) and another on ground water in the Gillette area
(ZO) were utilized. The literature revealed that ground waters in the vicin-
ity of the mine are derived from the lower Wasatch and upper Fort Union
Formations. The literature also revealed that sodium-sulfate and sodium-
bicarbonate waters are dominant in the Wasatch Formation, while sodium-
bicarbonate and, to a lesser extent, sodium-sulfate waters are dominant in
the Fort Union Formation. The published water quality map of the Powder
River Basin shows a low TDS, sodium-bicarbonate ground water from the
Fort Union Formation to be predominant in the immediate vicinity of the
town of Wyodak, while a high-TDS, magnesium-sulfate water, from the
Wasatch Formation, is predominant southwest of the mine area.
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
Wyodak Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predictive
method:
Climate. Evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation throughout the
year. Average annual precipitation in the mine area is 15. 8 in. with a
large percentage occurring as cloudbursts.
121
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TABLE 16. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
WYODAK MINE, WYOMING
Quartz
Feldspars
Kaolin
Mica
Calcite
Gypsum
Kaolinite
Illite
Spoils
2
40
30
10
Tr
Tr
5
M
m
Sandy Overburden Overburden
3
50
10-15
10
2
5
--
CLAY
(
M
m
4 Shale 5
55 40
10 15
10 35
Tr Tr
Tr
10
FRACTION
<2jl)
M M
m m
Spoils
7
60
--
40
--
--
--
M
m
ND -- not determined P -- predominant (est. +80%)
M -- major (est. 40-80%) m -- minor (est. 10-40%)
Tr -- trace (est. 1-10%)
122
-------
60
50
40
30
20
10
Vectors Labeled with
Sample Numbers and
TDS in mo/I
10
20 30
% meq/l
40
50
60
Figure 52. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
Wyodak Mine, Wyoming.
123
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TABLE 17. WATER DATA
WYODAK MINE, WYOMING
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
PH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
H2S (mg/1)
Conductivity (^.mhos)
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (°C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca+2 (mg/1)
Mg+2 (mg/1)
Na+1 (mg/1)
K+1 (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
S04-2 (mg/1)
HCO,-1 (mg/1)
Pond 1
26
7.4
5
<0. 1
2,725
26
7.8
2,416
295
164
276
25
<0. 1
1,390
545
HW-1
Pit 1
21
9.4
3
<0. 1
2,825
20
7.4
3,394
425
249
338
17.9
0.42
1,701
564
Donkey Creek
29
7.0
7
<0. 1
3,900
29
8.2
3,050
250
294
366
20. 1
<0. 1
1,714
493
C0-2
3
1 (mg/1) 19 263 203
124
-------
Geology. The geology in the vicinity of the Wyodak Mine is struc-
turally simple, consisting of the flat-lying sandstones, shales, coals, and
basal conglomerates.
Hydrogeology. No aquifers occur in the overburden in the vicinity of
the mine; however, a stream in contact with the coal provides water which
moves laterally into the mine as springs in the highwall.
Mineralogy. Mineralogy of samples taken from the overburden in-
clude the potentially reactive minerals calcite, gypsum, and kaolinite. Al-
though no pyrite was detected by x-ray diffraction, iron staining in the shale
above the coal was observed in the field, and pyrite was observed in the
coal.
Water Chemistry. Ground water in the immediate vicinity of the
Wyodak Mine is a low-TDS, sodium-bicarbonate type, while surface water
at the mine is a high-TDS, calcium-magnesium-sulfate type. In addition,
Donkey Creek, and consequently the highwall pit water, contain abnormally
high concentrations of chlorine.
COLSTRIP MINE
The Colstrip Mine was selected for investigation to provide an addi-
tional site to test the predictive method with minimum field effort. Fortun-
ately, extensive related data was available for baseline and comparative
purposes. This mine, located immediately east of the town of Colstrip, in
Rosebud and Custer Counties, Montana, extracts coal from the Rosebud
coal seam of the Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation. The
mine is owned by Montana Power Co. and operated by a subsidiary, the
Western Energy Co.
The topography in the mine area consists of low-lying northwest-
southeast trending hills of less than 3, 600-ft elevation. Relief in the area
ranges to 400 ft.
Drainage within the mine area is east-southeast from the east side
of the mine and essentially north through the East Fork Armells Creek on
the west side of the mine. All streams are currently intermittent, although,
based on the width of the flood plain, Armells Creek must have received
rather large or continuous flows at one time in the recent geologic past.
Figure 53 shows the surface drainage pattern in this area.
Climate
The climate in the Colstrip Mine area can be classified as semi-arid.
The average annual precipitation is 15. 8 in. , with greater than 50% of this
125
-------
Figure 53. Surface drainage in the vicinity of the
Colstrip Mine, Montana.
126
-------
occurring from May through September. The average annual temperature is
45. 9°F.
Geology
The Colstrip Mine is situated in the northern part of the Powder
River Basin, along the northeast flank of a broad synclinal trough that
trends north-northwest within the basin, and has a southeastward plunge
(33). Relatively few faults exist, and these have very small displacements.
A gentle anticlinal structure exists in the southern part of the mine
which places the currently active pit in a small basin structure. Although
two major coal beds occur within the Colstrip Mine area—the Rosebud and
McKay beds--only the upper Rosebud is being stripped. The Rosebud seam
averages approximately 25-ft thick and has a gradient to the south. The
Rosebud seam, is separated from the McKay by approximately 60 ft of inter-
burden, although the interburden can range from 3 to 60 ft within the coal
region (see Figure 54).
The overburden in the Colstrip Mine area ranges between 50 and 100
ft. It consists of silty shales and a fine-grained sandstone that is thinly bed-
ded with some calcareous concretions (see Figure 55).
Sampling Points
Samples were collected in Areas D and E (see Figure 56). Area D is
an old inactive area formerly mined by the Burlington Northern Railroad in
the late 1930's and early 1940's. The overburden at this site is composed of
Fort Union Series materials. Two surface water samples and a spring sam-
ple were collected from this area. An overburden sample was collected up-
gradient from the spring sample, and the surface water samples were col-
lected from exposures in the southern part of Area D (see Figure 56).
Area E is stratigraphlcally similar to Area D, but currently active.
Three overburden samples and one surface water sample were taken sequen-
tially upward from the coal bed in Area E.
Hydrogeology
Because of the horizontal nature of strata in the Colstrip Mine area,
recharge to the ground-water system occurs by infiltration of precipitation.
The intermittent streams in the area contain alluvial deposits that are gen-
erally less than 40-ft thick. Any recharge to underlying sediments from
these deposits would be minimal. In one location along the East Fork of
Armells Creek, southwest of the mine, alluvial materials are in direct con-
tact with the coals and assuredly provide a source of recharge to the coal
127
-------
NOT TO SCALE
Figure 54. Idealized block diagram showing major
geologic features. Colstrip Mine, Montana.
128
-------
Soil
"V- Spoil 17
•Spoil 1
Spoil 9, 10
Spoil 11, 12
-r~4$- Spoil 6,6A (9 ft)
if-Spoil 5 (6 ft)
™~.^{~:;^;;^- spoil 4 (5 ft)
Spoil (8 in.)
Spoil 2
JSoil, sandy, 3-10 ft
20-30 ft
Sampled
in Area D
1 _.
«6 ft
Sampled in
Area E
wlO ft
Sandstone, "slickrock," felda-
pathic, medium- to coarse-
grained, some pyrite concretions
within 10 ft of bottom contact
Sandstone, fine grained, friable,
thin bedded, some medium to
+coarse calcareous concretions
Silty shale, weathered, friable,
dark gray
Coal
Figure 55. Composite overburden stratigraphy,
Areas D and E. Colstrip Mine, Montana.
129
-------
U)
O
Figure 56. Sample location map. Colstrip Mine, Montana.
-------
aquifer during periods of high How. Recent studies of the mine area by Van
Voast and Hedges (34) showed that the shallow ground-water system is re-
sponsive to surface hydrologic conditions. This was especially true where
observation wells located in the spoils area recorded rises in level with the
filling of impoundments from rainfall and snowmelt.
Ground-water movements in the Colstrip Mine appear to be in oppo-
site directions (34). In the northern part of the mine the ground water is
moving south, and in the southern part of the mine it is moving north. These
movements are directly related to the geologic structure described earlier
that creates a small basin in the mine area. Ultimately, the movement is
eastward. Ground-water discharge is occurringin the streambed of theEast
Fork of Armells Creek, and to eastern and northern outcrops occurring in
intermittent streambeds.
Mineralogy
The mineralogy and lithology of the Colstrip Mine were obtained
from highwall grab samples at the various lithologic units above the coal.
X-ray diffractometer scans revealed dolomite to be the major carbonate,
although calcite was generally present and siderite was rare. Gypsum was
present in many samples, and pyrite nodules were common in several loca-
tions (see Table 18). In a road embankment cut through a spoil pile, most
of the pieces of coal were surrounded by a halo of iron-stained material sev-
eral inches thick. This condition probably indicates the oxidation of pyrite
associated with the coal. X-ray analysis of the clay fraction revealed the
major clay to be kaolinite with minor clay-mica. Several samples also con-
tained major montmorillonite.
Water Chemistry
Vector plots for waters sampled at the Colstrip Mine during this
study and during the recent study by Van Voast and Hedges (35) are shown in
Figure 57.
The three surface water samples (D-l, D-2, and a swimming hole)
all had similar compositions (Table 19). All were high in TDS and enriched
in magnesium relative to calcium. The predominant anion was sulfate.
Sample D-2, representative of spoil water, was higher in TDS and had con-
siderably stronger ionic strength (^ = 0. 124) than highwall pit water D-l
(y = 0.081), which was representative of shallow ground water. While the
actual ionic strengths cannot be used as a measure of contamination, due to
evaporation concentration of surface waters, the relative ionic strengths at
least indicated that the spoil water is more highly mineralized than shallow
ground water.
131
-------
TABLE 18. X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA
COLSTRIP MINE, MONTANA
Iron-
Section E Overburden Iron- Stained Area D
Sandstone in Sandstone Spoils Area E Rich Fragment Spoils
Overburden Coal Concretion 7 7A Encrust. Sandstone from Spoils 14 15
Quartz 50 30 35 40 45 40 30 35 50 30
Feldspars 5-10 -- 2-5 5 10 Tr 5 — 10 10
Kaolin 5-10 5-10 5 5-10 10 5 Tr 5-10 15 5-10
Montmorillonite Tr
Mica 5 Tr 5 5 Tr Tr Tr Tr Tr
Dolomite 10 -- 5-10 10 10 35 ? 5 25 50
Calcite 5 5 -- 10 -- -- Tr 2-5
Siderite -- -- -- -- -- -- 10
Gypsum -- -- — 10 35 5 — Tr
Pyrite -- -- 50 35 30
CLAY FRACTION
Kaolinite M MNDMMM m M MM
Illite m -- ND m-M m m-M M m m-Tr m
Montmorillonite M -- ND Tr -- Tr Tr -- M Tr
Vermiculite -- -- ND -- -- Tr
ND -- not determined P -- predominant (est. +80%) M -- major (est. 40-80%) m -- minor (est. 10-40%
Tr -- trace (est. 1-10%)
132
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No1
20
01
CO,
Vector* Lobtttd with
Sompl* Numb«r» ond
TDS in mg/ I
% meq/l
Figure 57. "Vector" diagram oi water compositions.
Colstrip Mine, Montana. (Data for dashed
lines from Van Voast and Hedges) (35).
133
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TABLE 19. WATER DATA
COLS TRIP MINE, MONTANA
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
PH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
H2S (mg/1)
Conductivity (a mhos)
Laboratory Measurements
Temperature (°C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca+2 (mg/1)
Mg+2 (mg/1)
Na+1 (mg/1)
K+1 (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
S04-2 (mg/1)
HC03-1 (mg/1)
ci-1
Pit
D-l
22
7.8
9
<0. 1
1,150
21
7.8
4,542
283
578.0
11.4
18.4
<0. 1
3,015
250
9
Pit
D-2
24
8.0
0
--
6,025
26
8.0
7,710
265
864.0
219.0
45.9
<0. 1
5,043
549
22
Swimming
Hole
25
7.9
6
<0. 1
4,450
23
7.9
5,680
319
696.0
151.0
18.2
<0. 1
3,769
175
18
Spring
21
7.7
9
<0. 1
- -
19
7.7
930
119
92.5
21. 1
8. 12
<0. 1
397
401
5
134
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The spring water sample was much weaker than the other waters
sampled in this study, had a considerably higher bicarbonate content than
surface water samples, and had much lower magnesium/calcium ratio. This
spring sample seems to represent an unmineralized end member in the ser-
ies of waters shown in Figure 57 and may represent the ground water least
affected by the mining operation; i. e. , least contaminated by sulfate-rich
surface waters. The fact that this water existed in an unmineralized state,
close to the mine, indicates ionic isolation of at least this one aquifer by
shale or clay beds in the stratigraphic section. This allows the spring
waters to retain inherent chemical characteristics despite sulfate-rich
waters nearby.
Additional water analyses by Van Voast and Hedges (34) showed them
to lie between the spring and surface waters in TDS, ionic strength, and the
bicarbonate/sulfate ratio (Appendix Table C-ll). Water analyses from both
the McKay and Rosebud seams, as well as two alluvial samples, are plotted
in Figure 57. The gradation of weak bicarbonate spring water to strong sul-
fate surface water suggests that the shallow alluvial water is probably al-
ready influenced by sulf ate production from the mining operation.
Input Parameters
The following is a summary of the important parameters from the
Colstrip Mine that represent inputs to the development of the predictive
method:
Climate. The Colstrip Mine area is located in a semi-arid climatic
region having an annual precipitationof 15. Sin. , with 77% occur ring from May
through October. Evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation throughout the
year resulting in an average soil moisture deficit of 23. 5 in.
Geology. The geology of the Colstrip Mine area is structurally sim-
ple. For the area, under investigation, the strata of sandstone, shale, and
coal are nearly horizontal.
Hydrogeology. Ground-water configurations in the study area include
both unconfined and confined aquifers. Shallow ground water in the over-
burden above the Rosebud coal seam resides in unconfined sandstones and
alluvium. The coal seam aquifers are osmotically isolated from adjacent
strata by shale and clay layers. Beneath the coals, a series of sandstone
aquifers are isolated by intervening clays and shales. Thus, the ground-
water composition varies widely due to the effects of interbedded clays and
shales. Ionic communication between waters is kept to a minimum by these
clays and shales, although water may be free to move vertically from one
aquifer to another.
135
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Mineralogy. Reactive minerals in the rocks of the spoils and over-
burden include dolomite, calcite, kaolinite, siderite, gypsum, and pyrite.
Water Chemistry. Waters sampled span a range of high calcium,
magnesium, and sulfate contents with high- to low-TDS and bicarbonate -
enriched waters. Surface waters in contact with spoils are the most highly
mineralized and enriched in magnesium relative to calcium. Spring waters
are the least mineralized. Waters from coal beds and alluvium, are inter-
mediate between these two water types.
136
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SECTION 8
DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTIVE METHOD
The overall objective of this ground-water mineralization study was
to determine whether a correlation exists between overburden mineralogy
and water quality in Western United States coal strip mines and, if so, to
develop a method that can be used to predict water quality at other sites.
The methods used to interpret the data, the interpretation of the data, and
the results of the interpretation are discussed in this section. The success-
ful predictive methods are presented in Section 9.
METHODS OF DATA INTERPRETATION
In this portion of the study, the various interrelationships beween
geology, hydrogeology, mineralogy, and water chemistry are examined in
detail. By determining the extent of influence that each of these parameters
can exert on ground-water quality, a water quality system picture has
emerged from the data. An understanding of this system will allow a mine
operator to predict, before mining begins, whether any ground-water qual-
ity changes will occur due to the mining operation, and what the nature of
these changes will be.
Factor Analysis
In order to collect together all the related or dependent major,
minor, and trace-element compositional parameters as well as the miner-
alogy, factor analysis techniques were used. Factor analysis is, simply, a
mathematical method of correlating a number of variables with one another
and then assembling those that correlate into specific categories or factors.
For example, measurement of the height and weight of a large number of
people may indicate that a correlation exists between the two variables. It
may then be said that height and weight are a size factor. A single variable
factor, such as the length of hair, may not be correlative with any other
variables. Fundamental to the procedure is the calculation of correlation
coefficients of each pair of variables measured. This correlation coefficient
array is then mathematically examined, and all those variables that corre-
late with one another are collected together in a group or factor. Each fac-
tor tends to be unrelated to every other factor. Factor analysis was used
137
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to determine interrelationships between:
• Whole rock mineralogy and bulk chemistry.
• Clay minerals and trace element content.
• Chemical and physical parameters of waters.
• Selected parameters representing rock and water compositions.
Geochemical Calculations
The objective of this phase of the program was to provide a thermo-
dynamically sound model for the interaction of ground water with rocks in
mined areas. It is of the utmost importance that the chemical mechanism of
interaction between rock and water be understood on a fundamental thermo-
dynamic level before any statements about water quality are made. The
data reduction phase was designed to provide baseline information on the
thermodynamic state of the waters in contact with rock in the mined areas.
Reduction of water analyses was accomplished using the Fortran ver-
sion of the U.S. Geological Survey's computer program "WATEQ" by Plum-
mer, Jones, and Truesdell (35). This program calculates the equilibrium
distribution of inorganic aqueous species in waters using a laboratory analy-
sis of major and minor ions, and field measurements of temperature, pH,
and oxidation-reduction potential.
In order to calculate the equilibrium state of the water samples, cer-
tain basic information must be available. This includes a set of possible
aqueous species, their charges and gram-formula weights, and a set of pos-
sible reactions with equilibrium constants and free energy changes.
"WATEQ" considers a total of 115 possible aqueous species and 193 possible
reactions which involve the more common rock-forming minerals. The bas-
ic calculation is carried out in the following way.
The water analysis is read in and ion concentrations
are converted to molality. All values of equilibrium con-
stants are recalculated to the temperature of interest using
the van't Hoff equation, unless experimental data are avail-
able. A cation-anion balance is calculated. If the charge
balance error is greater than 30%, calculation is terminated
at this point. If the charge balance is satisfactory, oxidation-
reduction data, including electron activity and Eh, are calcu-
lated. As a final preparatory calculation, the Debye-Huckel
solvent constants are corrected for temperature.
During the next phase of computation, single-ion activ-
ity coefficients are calculated using the Davies equation or
the Debye-Huckel approximation. With these, the activities
138
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of all possible aqueous species can then be computed. The
distribution of these species is then calculated by means of
a chemical model (36), which uses analytical concentrations,
experimental solution equilibrium constants, mass balance
equations, and the measured pH. This distribution is pre-
sented in the form of a table which contains the concentra-
tions, in mg/1 and molality, the activities, and the activity
coefficients of all possible aqueous species.
In the final phase of the calculation, saturation data
are computed. Ion activity products for all possible reac-
tions are calculated and compared with the temperature-
corrected equilibrium constants. This information is,
again, presented in a table containing ion activity products,
equilibrium constants, the ratio of these two values, and the
logarithms of all of these, and also the AG of reaction. In
this way, one can readily determine which reactions are
controlling the water composition, and which reactions are
impossible under equilibrium conditions.
The results of the computations described above can be applied to the rock-
water system in two ways. First, examination of the reaction status for
various minerals can suggest the origin of dissolved constituents, and assist
in the prediction of the chemical effects of mining on ground-water quality.
This is accomplished by examining the saturation state of the water with re-
spect to the minerals contained in surrounding rock, as well as with respect
to aqueous species which have exceeded their saturation limit. In this way,
one can construct a model of mass transfer of an element in a host rock, to
the water, and back to the surrounding rock again, in a different form when
saturation is reached.
In addition to providing an equilibrium picture of the water as \t ex-
ists presently, "WATEQ" can be used to predict a change in water quality
which might occur should the equilibrium state be altered. By changing
parameters such as temperature, pH, or dissolved oxygen content the solu-
bilities of many phases can be drastically altered. A fairly accurate picture
of the consequences of equilibrium displacement can be achieved by calcula-
tion alone using this method.
Graphical Representation of Waters
Graphical representation of water compositions provides a quick and
easy method for classification of water types. Groupings or trends are
easily seen and parameters which provide distinctions between waters can
be singled out. Four methods of graphical representation were used during
the data interpretation phase of this project. These were triangular
139
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representations, trilinear diagrams, Stiff diagrams, and "vector" diagrams.
Triangular or Three-Component Diagrams --
This technique involved the selection of a typical surface water, an
artesian water, and an unmineralized water. All other waters were as-
sumed to be composed of a mixture of these three and were plotted on a
standard triangular diagram. Although useful at the Energy Fuels and Edna
Mines, it was considered too cumbersome to prepare for the other mines,
and the selection of the end-member waters was somewhat subjective.
Trilinear Plots —
Trilinear plots were prepared in this study, but were not effective
for data comparison. A complete description of the construction and use of
trilinear plots can be found in Hem (37).
Stiff Diagrams --
This technique enables six components, generally three cations and
three anions, to be plotted as a six-sided figure (38). The shape and size of
the resulting figure allows for the comparison of water analyses--the shape
reflecting composition and the size indicating the degree of dilution of the
water. The principal objection to this technique is that each water analysis
is plotted as an individual figure typically resulting in a large number of fig-
ures which can be unwieldy.
Vector Diagrams --
The approach found to be the most satisfactory for this study is that
of plotting five components on what is usually referred to as a "vector" dia-
gram. The name is somewhat misleading in that the line plotted is not a
true vector. This method of representing multicomponent systems is of
Russian origin and introduced to the English-speaking world by Korzhinski
(39). Subsequently, it was used to illustrate petrologic relationships Houns-
low (4). Thus, percentage composition, typically represented as a bar
graph, can be plotted as a line on a right isosceles triangle, each side of
which represents 100% of the composition. Using this system, three com-
ponents are represented by a point, four components by a line parallel to
one side of the triangle, and five components by an inclined line, or "vec-
tor. " A detailed derivation of the five-component vector diagram is given in
Figure 58. Some aspects of these diagrams may not be immediately obvi-
ous:
• The slope of the "vector" representing the composition
gives a ratio of two of the components; for the diagrams
140
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Figure 58. Derivation of a five-component vector diagram
from a five-component bar graph.
141
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presented in this report the ratio is that of calciumtmag-
nesium.
• The slope of the imaginary line joining the origin (zero-
zero) to the lower end of a "vector" gives a second ratio,
sulf ate :bic a rbonate.
• The vertical or horizontal distance from the upper end
of the vector to the hypotenuse of the triangle represents
the amount of sodium present.
• All water analyses for this study were calculated and
plotted on the basis of 50 meq/1 of cation. The anions,
sulf ate, and bicarbonate, which are the lower end of the
"vectors, " should lie on the 50-50 hypotenuse line if the
anion-cation balance is correct. Any deviation from
this line is a measure of the inaccuracy of the analysis.
GEOLOGY
The geological environments at the mine sites investigated varied
widely in overburden lithology, stratigraphic continuity, and structure. The
effect that each of these parameters had on water quality is described under
their respective headings below.
Overburden Lithology
In general, overburden at all mines consisted of sandstone, silt-
stones, shales, mudstone, coals, and occasionally limestones. The sand-
stones and siltstones were frequently calcareous and the shales usually car-
bonaceous. Coals and sandstones often contained pyrite and gypsum.
Examination of the data shows that differences in lithology, from
mine to mine, other than mineralogy, had relatively little effect on the cor-
relation of the quality of ground water from the mines. The effects of lithol-
ogy and to a lesser extent climate, are masked by the effects of the ground-
water composition entering the system.
Stratigraphic Continuity
Lateral discontinuity or lenticularity of strata is characteristic of
most mine sites. At some mines lateral continuities persisted for only a
few feet, whereas at other mines beds could be correlated over several
miles.
142
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Examination of the data shows that the degree of lenticularity of
strata in the overburden cannot be correlated with any ground-water quality
changes. It should be noted, however, that lensing of shale beds into sur-
rounding sandstones or siltstones can give rise to deposits of soluble salts
at the shale-sandstone contact. Should this be the case, spoiling of over-
burden will result in the leaching of these soluble salts by water in the
spoils.
Structure
Structural geology at the mine sites varied from nearly horizontal,
undeformed strata, to steeply dipping folded strata. Two major structural
features, found to affect ground-water flow at the mine sites investigated,
were folding and faulting. At mine sites where the beds were nearly flat-
lying and undeformed, ground-water flow directions were readily deter-
mined. At mine sites where strata were deformed, ground-water flow
directions were difficult to ascertain, and the source of waters recharging
the mine area was questionable. The presence of faults at several mines
also complicated the ground-water picture by acting as barriers or channels
to ground-water flow.
HYDROGEOLOGY
In the course of this study, five ground-water overburden relation-
ships were found. Combinations of these, or other entirely different rela-
tionships no doubt exist in other areas. The five ground-water overburden
relationships are: (1) Overburden and coal seams are above the water table;
(2) Overburden and coal seams intercept the water table or overburden con-
tains a confined aquifer above the coal; and (3) Overburden and coal occur
above a confined aquifer (Figure 59). Combinations of these conditions usu-
ally exist where more than one coal seam is being mined and the interburden
materials are significantly different, mineralogically, from materials above
the first coal to be stripped. In addition to these three, two other relation-
ships can be commented on as a result of this study: (4) Overburden is
within an unconfined aquifer, and the coal seam is below; and (5) Overburden
that contains a confined aquifer is above the coal.
Where the overburden and the coal seam occur above the water table,
relationship number one, very little difference was noted between the com-
position of waters that passed through the undisturbed overburden and through
the homogenized, spoiled overburden (assuming that recharge is primarily a
result of infiltration of precipitation on the proposed mine area). This is
true because the waters passing through undisturbed overburden came in
contact with the same minerals before mining as after mining. The TDS of
spoil waters was greater as a result of both evaporation and increased sur-
face area of the rocks. This same conclusion can be applied to relationship
143
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1. Overburden and coal seam above water table
w.
2. Overburden and coal seams intercept water table.
Figure. 59. Ground-water overburden relationships,
144
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3. Overburden and coal occur above a confined aquifer.
4. Overburden within an unconfined aquifer; coal below
5. Overburden contains a confined aquifer above coal.
Figure 59. Ground-water overburden relationships (Cont. ).
145
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number two, where the overburden and coal seam are within or intercept the
water table.
Where the coal and overburden materials lie above a confined aqui-
fer, relationship number three, no changes were noted. No intermixing of
water from this aquifer with minerals disturbed during mining can occur
and, thus, the lack of any change in ground-water quality is to be expected.
When the coal occurs below an unconfined aquifer, relationship num-
ber four, some noticeable differences in water quality between the undis-
turbed and the disturbed overburden can be anticipated. This is because the
impermeable layer above the coal generally consists of shales that contain
highly soluble minerals once they are disaggregated. In some cases, where
these shales contain abundant clays, this difference could be of a beneficial
nature. The clays can adsorb a considerable amount of normally deleterious
heavy and trace metals.
The greatest distinction that is likely to occur between waters from
undisturbed overburden and homogenized spoils will be where the overbur-
den contains a confined aquifer above the coal, relationship number five. In
this instance, the water from the confined aquifer will be mixing with an en-
tirely different suite of minerals after stripping than it had when in the con-
fined state. This is especially true if the confined aquifer consists of rela-
tively inert minerals such as are found in a clean sandstone.
In addition to the ground-water configurational changes which will
occur upon spoiling, certain physical characteristics will also be drastically
changed. The most obvious of these are porosity, permeability, and surface
area available for reaction. The amount of mineral matter dissolved from
the spoil material depends upon the volume of water flowing through and the
residence time, or flow rate, of this water.
MINERALOGY
An examination of the data presented in the previous sections shows
that certain minerals appear consistently in the rocks of the overburden and
subsequent spoils. The objective of this portion of the study is to investi-
gate the interaction of ground water with these minerals. When water con-
tacts solid material, three reactions are possible:
• Solid material may be dissolved.
• Ions already in solution may be exchanged for other ions
bonded to the solid material.
146
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• Ions in solution may be precipitated and removed from the
water, or travel with it as a suspended solid.
Farther, some reactions that are thermodynamically possible, albeit slow,
may be catalyzed and rendered much faster by microbial interaction. Sul-
fate reduction and sulfide oxidation are two well-documented examples.
The rocks typically encountered as coal seam overburden were
sandstones, siltstones, shales, and limestones. Both the sandstones and
siltstones were composed essentially of quartz and feldspars, and both were
relatively insoluble in water -- at least within the time period under consid-
eration. Shales, composed predominantly of clay minerals, were basically
hydrous aluminum silicates that may contain considerable quantities of
other elements. Because of their unique crystal structure, clays may ex-
change these elements for other elements by an ion-exchange process in a
solution with which they are in contact. Another mineral commonly occur-
ring in the shales was gypsum (CaSO4- 2H2O), which is significantly soluble
in water. Limestone consists of the carbonate minerals calcite (CaCO3),
dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] and/or siderite (FeCO3), and the solubilities of
these minerals depends on pH, carbon dioxide content of the water, and tem-
perature.
Minerals that may occur as nonessential or accessory minerals in
any of the above rock types are the sulfide minerals, which are the source of
acid waters frequently causing degradation of ground water in the eastern
coal mining areas. Pyrite (FeS2) is the most common of these sulfides. Oxi-
dation of pyrite releases sulfuric acid (H2SO4) which, in an unbuffered sys-
tem, causes a drastic decrease in pH. Carbonate minerals are important in
this regard because they can act as a neutralizer in acid water environments.
The chemical elements occurring in rocks that are not essential to
the crystal structures of the minerals present are known as trace elements.
Their presence cannot be inferred from a mineralogical analysis and, thus,
requires chemical analysis for detection. Research in recent years has
shown that the presence of even trace amounts of some metals, such as mer-
cury, has a serious effect on water quality. Detecting the presence and
determining the origin of these trace metals is, therefore, an important as-
pect of this study. Clay minerals are also important in that they can act as
chemical sponges, exchanging and adsorbing undesirable heavy metals and
releasing less toxic ones.
Calcite - CaCO3
Calcite was found as a matrix constituent of the clastic sedimentary
rocks and as the principal component of limestones. It is identified in hand
samples by its effervescence with cold, dilute hydrochloric acid. X-ray
147
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diffraction also allows its detection as well as a semiquantitative estimate of
the amount present.
Calcite is readily soluble in dilute acids. It dissolves in the carbon-
ic acid produced during the normal atmospheric weathering cycle,
CaC03 + C02 + H20 «» Ca++ + 2HCO3-,
and in the sulfuric acid produced by the oxidation of pyrite which occurs in
spoil piles,
CaCO3 + H2SO4 «» Ca++ + SOf + H2CO3.
The end result of the dissolution of calcite is neutralization of these acids
and the production of calcium and bicarbonate. X-ray diffraction data show
that calcite was present in the overburden and in the spoils at all mines.
Geochemical calculations show that it was at or near equilibrium in all
ground and surface waters except those with sufficiently low pH's to preclude
the existence of bicarbonate.
Factor analysis indicates that the only other element associated or
related to calcite was sodium. The association of calcite with sodium, cou-
pled with the lack of correlation with plagioclase, cannot be explained.
Dolomite - CaMg(CO3)2
Dolomite is the principal carbonate constituent of most of the rocks
examined and was detected by x-ray diffraction in all cases.
Solution of dolomite may be accomplished by dilute acids:
(carbonic) CaMg(CO3)2 + CO2 + H2O £ Ca++ + Mg++ + 2HCO3", or
(sulfuric) CaMg(CO3)2 + H2SO4 *» Ca++ + Mg++ + SO4 + 2HCO3.
The end results of the solution of dolomite is the neutralization of acid and
the production of calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. In the case of dis-
solution by sulfuric acid, calcium, magnesium, and sulfate may recombine
and eventually lead to the precipitation of one or more of the hydrated sul-
fate minerals.
X-ray diffraction data show that dolomite was present in the-over-
burden and spoils at all mines. Geochemical calculations show that waters
from most mines were close to equilibrium with respect to dolomite. Waters
at several mines were frequently oversaturated with respect to dolomite, but
secondary precipitation of this mineral is unlikely because reaction kinetics
148
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are too slow to allow this to take place.
Factor analysis revealed a strong correlation of the element stron
tium with dolomite.
Siderite -
Siderite generally is associated with coal or other organic matter. It
was identified by x-ray diffraction, but was also discernible in some sam-
ples by visual examination. Siderite is generally coarse grained with a dis-
tinctive cleavage and a prominant brown color. The mineral effervesces
only with hot dilute hydrochloric acid.
Siderite precipitates when a solution containing abundant ferrous iron
mixes with a solution containing carbonate or bicarbonate, or when a solu-
tion containing all these ions either evaporates or becomes alkaline. It is
not a common sedimentary mineral because most of the iron liberated by
weathering is immediately oxidized to ferric oxide. The amount of ferrous
iron in surface waters is, therefore, vanishingly small. Under reducing
conditions, however, such as with waters associated with coal seams, sider-
ite may be precipitated in large quantities. Under surface conditions, de-
pendent on both pH and the presence of free oxygen, siderite is dissolved by
the reaction:
2FeCO3 + |O2 + 2H2O *» Fe2O3 + 2H2CO3.
The net result of this reaction is the production of carbonic acid and iron
which will usually reprecipitate as amorphous ferric hydroxide.
X-ray diffraction shows that small amounts of siderite were present
at Energy Fuels, McKinley, Medicine Bow, Kemmerer, and Colstrip Mines.
These occurrences were generally associated with coal beds. Siderite was
not detected in samples from the Edna or Rosebud Mines.
Geochemical calculations show that all ground and surface waters
from all mines were undersaturated with respect to siderite. Eh-pH condi-
tions in all waters were such that siderite is unstable under the present geo-
chemical regime.
Factor analysis revealed the other elements with siderite to be man-
ganese and magnesium.
Gypsum - CaSQ4' 2HZO
Gypsum is a. commonly occurring constituent of marine shales and a
not uncommon constituent of the hardpan or caliche layer in Western soils.
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Identification of gypsum, was accomplished by x-ray diffraction and/or by
using the mercuric nitrate stain to identify sulfate and a titan yellow stain to
test for magnesium; if the latter was negative and the former positive gyp-
sum was assumed to be present. Gypsum is one of the more readily soluble
minerals encountered, its solubility varying from 2,500 to 3,000 mg/1 de-
pending on the ionic strength and temperature of the solution.
Gypsum precipitates readily from solutions produced by the oxidation
of pyrite coupled with the dissolution of limestone:
(oxidation of pyrite) 2FeS2 + 15/2O2 + 4H2O £ Fe2O3 + 4H2SO4
(dissolution of limestone) H2SO4 + CaCO3 ^ Ca++ + SO4= + H2CO3
(precipitation of gypsum) Ca++ + SOf + 2H2O £ CaSO4' 2H2O
This reaction sequence occurs readily in spoil piles.
X-ray diffraction showed that gypsum was a ubiquitous constituent of
spoil and overburden rocks at all mines, generally occurring inhighest con-
centrations at or near the surface when evaporation concentration of calcium
sulfate-rich waters can occur.
Geochemical calculations show that gypsum was at or near equilibri-
um in all surface waters, and in ground waters derived from shales and
coals.
Starkeyite - MgSOy 4HZO
Magnesium sulfates exist with varying degrees of hydration from
MgSO4-H2O--kieserite, which is relatively common in normal evaporites, to
MgSO4« 7H2O--epsomite, a rarer constituent of marine evaporites. The
other members of the series are quite rare and have generally been reported
as efflorescences on kieserite. In this study, magnesium sulfate occurred
as surface encrustations and bedding plane fillings at many mines.
One sample of a surface encrustation was x-rayed and found to be
starkeyite; however, most other occurrences were identified on the basis of
positive stain tests for magnesium and sulfate and, thus, the degree of hy-
dration was not obtained.
The extreme solubility of magnesium sulfate indicates that it is most
likely secondary in origin and probably the result of concentration by evapor-
ation. This possible origin is of some considerable interest because it is a
product of spoil and overburden leaching and also because it was the only
mineral reported that contains magnesium as the only cation. Sources of
150
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magnesium are dolomite and clay minerals.
A solution enriched in magnesium sulfate is produced by the dissolu-
tion of dolomite in dilute sulfuric acid, followed by evaporation and precipi-
tation of gypsum when the solubility of this mineral is exceeded. A second
mechanism for the concentration of magnesium sulfate involves the interac-
tion of a solution containing various metal sulfates and clay minerals by
cation exchange reactions, the metals being absorbed and the magnesium
liberated.
No geochemical calculations were made due to the lack of free-
energy data for any of the magnesium sulfate species.
Pyrite - FeS2 '
Pyrite is the most widespread and most abundant of sulfide minerals.
It is a common constituent of sedimentary rocks where it generally occurs
as disseminated crystals or in concretionary forms. Further, it is the
principal sulfide present in nonlignitic coal seams. Identification was based
on x-ray diffraction and the observation of bright-yellow metallic grains.
The oxidation and dissolution of pyrite with the liberation of sulfuric
acid is responsible for the acid mine drainage problem of many coal mines
in the Eastern United States.
The reaction,
2FeS2 + 15/202 + 4H2O ;» Fe2O3 + 4H2SO4,
is reported to be catalyzed by microbial action.
With limited amounts of pyrile and excess limestone, this acid is
neutralized and generally gypsum is deposited. Iron is generally precipi-
tated as amorphous ferric hydroxide.
X-ray diffraction and microscopic examination showed that small
amounts of pyrite were ubiquitous in the coals and, frequently, in the over-
burden from many mines.
Feldspar
Feldspars rank among the most abundant minerals of the earth's
crust. They are extremely widespread constituents of igneous, metamor-
phic, and clastic sedimentary rocks, and were major constituents of the
rocks at all mine sites. The common forms are:
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KAlSi3Oa - orthoclase or microcline (potash feldspar)
NaAlSi3O8 - albite
(plagioclase series)
- anorthite
Identification and differentiation of feldspar in this study were accomplished
by x-ray diffraction.
Feldspars, being silicate minerals, are relatively insoluble in
water, although under long-term weathering conditions they are generally
regarded as a major source of clay minerals. Some sodium and potassium
present in ground water may be the result of feldspar dissolution, but it is
unlikely that these minerals contribute much to waters percolating through
spoil piles especially because of the short time frame being considered.
Geochemical calculations showed that all waters were undersaturated
with respect to feldspars. Under the existing geochemical conditions, the
feldspars were unstable.
Factor analysis revealed a correlation between potash feldspar and
lead.
Quartz - SiOz
Quartz is the most common and ubiquitous of all minerals. Positive
identification of quartz was accomplished by x-ray diffraction.
Because of its relative insolubility, quartz must be considered to be
a stable constituent of spoil piles, adding only 10 to 20 mg/1 of SiO2 to the
water.
Clay Minerals
Clay minerals are extremely fine-grained hydrous silicates, princi-
pally of aluminum or magnesium. The four important clay groups are those
containing kaolinite, illite, montmorillonite, and vermiculite. These have
characteristic basal spacings of 7A, 10 A, ISA, and 14. 5A, respectively,
which are readily measured by x-ray diffraction techniques.
Clays of the montmorillonite and vermiculite groups can adsorb cer-
tain organic liquids between their structural layers resulting in an increase
in their basal spacings. This increase can be measured using x-ray diffrac-
tion and, if the organic material is known, the clay may be identified.
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Clay minerals are formed primarily by the weathering of other alu-
minum silicates in a slow and complicated hydrolysis process. The nature
of the clay mineral formed depends upon the environment of weathering. The
most important factors in the formation of clay minerals are:
• Mineral composition of the rock.
• Chemical composition of the water.
• The rate of passage of the water through the rocks.
Clay formed in one environment might slowly change in character if the en-
vironment changes.
All solid nonmolecular substances have unsatisfied bonds at their
surfaces. The finer grained the material, the higher the surface-to-volume
ratio and the greater the surface charge. Clays are fine grained and would
therefore be expected to have a high surface charge. In addition, a common
characteristic of clays is that substitutions of one ion for another ion having
a different valence may occur--a phenomenon which would dramatically in-
crease this surface charge, unless such substitutions are appropriately cou-
pled with one another. Common substitutions are:
• Al+3 for Si*4
• Fe+2 or Mg+2 for A1+3
• OH" for O"2.
This net charge on the layers leads to the adsorption of cations from solu-
tion, the adsorbed ions being replaced by others when the concentration or
pH of the solution changes. The sum of these exchangeable cations is called
the cation exchange capacity (CEC).
Montmorillonite and vermiculite have a much higher cation exchange
capacity than illite (mica) or kaolinite. Consequently, their presence may
be of considerable importance in that various toxic heavy-metal trace ele-
ments released during weathering may be collected by these clays. Further-
more, once adsorbed, these heavy metal cations tend to resist further ex-
change.
Anion exchange is also possible in clay minerals. Exchange occurs
largely with exposed hydroxyl groups on the edges of clay flakes; almost
none occurs at basal plane surfaces.
If the pH of the soil solution rises to above 10. 0 or drops to below
4.0, clay exchangers are destroyed and minerals become soluble in the
aqueous solution with subsequent liberation of aluminum and silica.
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Major Clay Species
Kaolinite, Al4[Si4O10 ](OH)a , is the most common of the clay miner-
als and generally results from the alteration of feldspars in silicic rocks by
acid solutions and under conditions of good drainage. It was the predominant
clay mineral at all mine sites.
Illite, KJ_J 5Al4[Si'7_£)i ^Alj.^ 5030 ](OH)4, is a major constituent of
many shales and mudstones. It is formed by the alteration of micas and
feldspars under alkaline conditions. High concentrations of aluminum and
potassium favor the formation of illite.
Montmorillonite, (|Ca,Na)0> 7(A1, Mg, Fe4[Si, A1)8O22](OH)4'nH2O, is
the principal constituent of bentonite clay deposits as well as being common
in soils and shales. It results from the alteration of silica-poor rocks or
volcanic material by alkaline solutions and its formation is favored by the
availability of magnesium and calcium coupled with a deficiency of K.
Vermiculite, (Mg, Ca)0> 7(Mg, Fe+3, A1)6(A1, Si)8)20(OH)4- 8H2O is
widespread in some soils and is usually the result of the alteration of exist-
ing biotite mica. It also forms by the alteration of volcanic material, chlo-
rite, and hornblende. -It is rare in marine sediments because of the amount
of potassium in seawater. Vermiculite is similar to montmorillonite in that
it has a net negative charge on the mineral, but differs in that this charge
results from the one-for-one substitution of aluminum and silicon. Factor
analysis indicates that Vermiculite is forming at the expense of mica in this
rock.
WATER CHEMISTRY
Water analyses from all mines were examined using graphical repre-
sentation and geochemical calculations, although factor analysis was used
only at the Energy Fuels and Edna Mines. The results of the data reduction
are presented below, followed by a summary of the chemical reactions im-
portant to water chemistry.
Graphical Representation of Waters
A complication in the interpretation of water chemistry data is the
effect of dilution. Thus, it is necessary to consider element ratios on the
one hand and the total dissolved solid content on the other.
The analytical results of the water chemistry from both the Energy
Fuels Mine and the Edna Mine were calculated on the basis of 100 milliequi-
valents (meq) of cations per liter (see Table 20). Cations were chosen be-
cause the accuracy of their determination was higher than that of the anions.
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TABLE 20. ANALYSES CALCULATED TO
100 MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER CATIONS
Energy
Fuels
Mine
Sample
No.
D-6
CD-7
CD-8
D-9
D-14
S-6
S-9
S-10
SF
ST-1
P-l
P-2
P-3
SL-3
SL-4
Ca
5
40
22
2
24
52
27
16
54
34
28
61
61
46
30
Mg
5
35
19
1
12
37
31
13
41
50
48
35
35
33
27
Na
K*
90
25
59
97
64
11
42
71
4
16
24
4
4
21
43
Surface
Artesian
Ratio
0. 10
0.58
0.42
0
0.44
0.88
0.63
0.28
1.00
0.92
0.70
1.00
1.00
0.83
0.60
Cl
7
26
3
2
3
2
2
2
1
4
8
1
1
4
4
CO3
SO4 HC03
39
835
18
17
64
66
59
29
81
86
22
100
103
78
80
58
132*
86
86*
46
27
32
75
13
24
64*
15
7
10
10
TDSC
TDSm
Ratio
1.01
0. 18
0.31
1.44
0.74
0.67
0.92
0.69
0.96
1.00
0.21
0.98
1. 18
1.33
1.39
TDS
Calc.
795
1,753
1,433
596
1,473
2,351
1,852
1,154
2,590
2,430
1,992
2,590
2,590
2,251
1,792
Meas.
800
318
446
860
1,086
1,568
1,710
798
2,475
2,444
416
2,546
3,058
3,000
2,483
Edna
Mine
D-5
S-7
S-8
SP-1
SP-2
SP-3
SP-4
P-l
P-2
P-3
SL-3
SL-10
SL-12
61
54
63
58
61
61
63
65
65
61
58
62
12
24
36
28
40
37
37
34
32
31
36
39
27
18
5
10
9
2
2
2
3
3
4
3
3
11
70
0.94
0.93
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.30
2
5
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
72
22
368
99
97
84
94
12
104
76
102
100
86
30
79
34
8
12
7
7
5
3
5
6
12
17
0.63
0.05
0.23
0.96
0.95
1.07
1.08
1.06
0.86
0.99
1. 13
1. 10
2. 10
2,470
2,450
2,590
2,590
2,590
2,590
2,590
2,590
2,590
2,590
2,590
2,590
1, 194-
1,550
124
608
2,480
2,456
2,782
2,810
2,740
2,226
2,574
2,920
2,850
5,440
* Maximum K is 2 meq/1.
** Some CO3 present.
155
-------
The cations present in significant amounts are calcium, magnesium,
sodium, and to a much lesser extent, potassium. Similarly significant
anions are sulfate, bicarbonate, carbonate, and chlorine.
Inspection of these recalculated data (Table 21) revealed a remark-
able similarity in the analyses of waters from Springs 1 to 4, and from
Ponds 1 to 3 from the Edna Mine and Ponds 2 and 3 from the Energy Fuels
Mine. These samples were high in calcium, magnesium, and sulfate and
low in sodium and bicarbonate. Examination of the remaining analyses
showed that Sample D-9 contained the lowest amounts of calcium, magnesi-
um, and sulfate as well as the highest sodium content. Further, omitting
the results of Sample CD-7 which are obviously in error, D-9 ranked third
in bicarbonate content.
It is seen that the two waters have chemical compositions which are
diametrically opposed to one another. Type 1, high in sodium and bicarbon-
ate, were deep water samples. A Type 2 water, high in calcium, magnesi-
um, and sulfate, is characteristic of waters which have been in contact with
spoils of the springs, ponds, and streams.
Assuming the presence of two waters with extreme compositions
described above, an attempt was made to explain the compositions of all the
waters as mixtures of these two. This was successful, and the composi-
tions of the two end-members were statistically refined. The composition
of each sample relative to these end-members was determined graphically.
The next factor to be considered is that of dilution. The parameter
selected to show this is the total dissolved solids (TDS). The surface water
has a much higher TDS than the ground water. A theoretical TDS was calcu-
lated for each sample on the basis of a mixture of the two end-members dis-
cussed above. Although many of these values agreed closely with the deter-
mined values, in some cases the measured values were considerably less
than the calculated values. This difference was presumed to be the result of
dilution. The amount of dilution was determined using the actual and calcu-
lated TDS data, and the results are plotted on a triangular diagram (Figure
60). Sample S-7 from the Edna Mine plotted closest to the "unmineralized
water" corner of the diagram. The water from this locality is from shallow
alluvial aquifer water.
The lysimeter samples SL-3 and SL-4 from the Energy Fuels Mine,
and samples SL-3, SL-10, and SL-12 from the Edna Mine, were recalcu-
lated on the basis of the above end-members. . Sample SL-12 was highly
anomalous. The remaining samples had one characteristic in common--they
were all more concentrated than the other samples described above. (See
Methods of Investigation: Drilling).
156
-------
TABLE 2L. ALL ANALYSES RECALCULATED TO
100 MILLIEQUIVALENTS PER LITER CATIONS
Ca Mg Na + K Cl SO4 CO3 + HCO3 TDS
Hypothetical Waters and Sample Having Closest Composition
Water 1 (Artesian) -3 6 96 -- 13 82 596
Energy Fuels Mine D-9 2 1 90 2 17 86 860
Water 2 (surface) 59 38 3 -- 83 17 2,590
Edna Mine SP-4 63 34 3 1 94 7 2,810
Water 3 (alluvial) 54 36 10 --22 79 124
Edna Mine S-7 54 36 10 5 22 79 124
Surface Waters Draining Areas of Known Rock Type
Granite 83 12 4 3 11 44 43
Limestone 52 45 3 4 4 46 158
Gypsum 52 28 20 3 68 14 727
Shale 22 20 57 1 81 9 2,020
157
-------
Ul
00
Type I
D-9
D-6
Type 3
S-7
SL-12
SL-4
• Energy
A Edna
Q| Lysimeter
•/.•A-.-/.-.V///.\VAvY.^,^P-2
SL-3
•%-'*!£.'
Figure 60. Water genesis in terms of three end-member types at
the Energy Fuels and Edna Mines, Colorado,
-------
The origin of these three water types is given below:
Water Type 1 (Na-HCO3)--
The water most nearly representative of this end-
member is that of Sample D-9 which is artesian in origin.
The TDS content of this water type is approximately 600
mg/1. A preliminary examination of the literature suggests
(at least for Western United States waters) that a sodic
ground water usually contains sulfate as the predominant
anion. On this basis, the sodium bicarbonate water is un-
usual. Also, it contains considerably less calcium and
magnesium, than is usually reported as occurring with the
sodium. A possible explanation of the bicarbonate ground
water is that it results from sulfate reduction. Where
water and organic material are in contact, such as in coal
seams, this reaction is catalyzed by anerobic bacteria. The
reaction generally proposed is:
SOI1 + CH4 ^ HS- + HCO3- + H2O
The sulfide produced by this reaction leads to the pre-
cipitation of iron and some heavy metals present in the orig-
inal water.
Further, if calcium and magnesium were initially
present in the water, these elements may have been absorb-
ed by montmorillonite clay, releasing sodium into solution.
Water Type 2 (Ca-Mg-SO4)
The samples representative of this water type are the
four springs and three ponds from the Edna Mine, and two
ponds from the Energy Fuels Mine. The water in these
ponds either moved through the spoils material prior to
emerging at the surface, or was otherwise in direct contact
with spoils material.
Possible mechanisms for the production of Water Type
2 chemistry include:
• Leaching of the gypsum and starkeyite from
the spoils piles. This would be the most likely
mechanism assuming sufficient gypsum in the
spoils.
159
-------
• Bacterial or chemical decomposition of pyrite
to sulfuric acid coupled with the solution of
calcite and dolomite. This, again, is depend-
ent upon the presence of pyrite.
• Bacterial oxidation of the organic sulfur in the
coal and the reaction of the sulfuric acid so
formed with calcite and dolomite. The coal
does contain about 0. 5% organic sulfur, and
the near-neutral pH is optimal for most sulfur
bacteria. The questionable points are, first,
whether sufficient coal remains in the spoils to
account for the sulfate content of the water, and
second, whether sulfur oxidizing bacteria are
present.
Water Type 3 (Ca-HCO3 low TDS)--
The water most representative of this type is that of
Sample S-7 from the Edna Mine, which is water from the
shallow alluvial aquifer.
Vector Diagram Results
Vector diagrams of water from all mines are shown in Figures 61
through 68. Several conclusions can be drawn from a comparison of these
eight diagrams:
1. Low-TDS waters were found in the following circum-
stances:
a. Surface water above or outside a mine area.
b. Shallow alluvial aquifers upstream from the
mine.
c. Ground water derived from confined sandstone
aquifers.
All these waters were of the sodium-calcium-bicarbon-
ate type.
2. High-TDS waters were found in the following circum-
stances:
160
-------
No1
IHfj
8
_
Mg+
Vtctort Lobttod with
SompU Numbvt and
IDS in mg/l
Figure 61. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado. (Dashed lines from. U. S. G. S.
Water Resources Data for Colorado, 1975. Green River
Basin. Analyses appear in Appendix Table C-9. )
161
-------
No1
Spring 4 2,810
V
i
.
ol
to;
Vtctors Lobtltd with
Samplt Number* and
IDS in mg/l
Pond 3 2,574
Spring3 2,782
Figure 62. "Vector" diagram of water compositions. .t,dna Mine, Colorado.
162
-------
80
70
No*
HCO
8
60
50
40
3*
30
20
10-
Pit 37 3,230
Pit 32 3,010
5 4,450
Vtctort Lob«l»d with
SompU Numb«r* and
TOS in mg/t
8 1,750
I 1,330
6 2,410
\L
10
20
30
% meq/l
40
50
60
Figure 63. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
McKinley Mine, New Mexico
163
-------
No'
+
o
o
co
Vectors Lobtl«d with
Sompl* Number* and
IDS in mg/l
P-4 2,962
Drilling Water 2,889
P-2 6,614
P-l 5,864
P-66 8,430
P-12 5,662
P-3 6,544
% meq/l
Figure 64. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
Medicine Bow Mine, Wyoming.
164
-------
i
38
HCO
8!
Vtctofi Labeled with
Sample Numbers and
TDS in mg/ I
34R4-I6-I 3,680
Pond I 1,162
N-3 8,926
% meq /1
Figure 65. "Vector" diagram of water
compositions. Rosebud Mine, Wyoming.
165
-------
No*
K,
°
O I
V)
Mj'
Vtctori LabtUd with
Sampfe Numbtrt and
TDS in mg/l
Figure 66. "Vector" diagram of water compositions. Kemmerer
Mine, Wyoming. (Dashed lines from Lines and Glass (15).
These analyses appear in Appendix Table C-12.)
166
-------
No"
1*
o
|0
(A
Victor* LotMltd with
Somplt Number* and
IDS in mg/l
Figure 67. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
Wyodak Mine, Wyoming.
167
-------
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
No1
Ol
:
Vtctors Lobttod with
Somplt Numbtr* and
TDS in mg/l
\L
10
20
30
40
% meq/l
Figure 68. "Vector" diagram of water compositions.
Colstrip Mine, Montana. (Data for dashed
lines from Van Voast and Hedges) (35).
50
168
-------
a. Surface waters at or downstream of a mine area.
b. Shallow alluvial aquifers below a mine.
c. Ground waters derived from shales and coals.
d. All lysimeter samples.
e. Ground waters emerging as springs from spoil
piles.
These high-TDS waters were of the c ale ium-magne slum-
sulfate type.
3. Mine areas having a confined aquifer hydrologic system
show distinct groups of water chemistries.
4. Mine areas having an unconfined aquifer (water table)
system do not show distinct water populations. All
waters are of the calcium-magnesium-sulfate type.
Factor Analysis
Factor analysis of water data was conducted only on the Energy Fuels
and Edna Mine samples. The input for this data analysis included 29 vari-
ables comprising chemistry, temperature, pH, and sample-collection time
in days from an arbitrary origin. Twenty-eight samples from both mines
were selected. Six significant factors were obtained:
Factor 1
TDS conductivity, £anions, Zcations, Lions,
SO4, Ca, Sr, Mg, K, days
Factor 2
Alkalinity, HCO3 , CO3 + HCO3 , CO2, Na, (-T),
(-Ca)
Factor 3
Fe, Mn, CO2
Factor 4
pH, (-C02), C03, Si
169
-------
Factor 5
O2, (-organic C), days
Factor 6
T°, F, Ti
Factor 1 represents spoil-contact water to surface water. The in-
clusion of strontium in the factor indicates that the water was influenced by
the dissolution of dolomite.
Factor 2 represents the deep, Type 1 waters.
Factor 3 corresponds to siderite dissolution.
Factor 4 relates the increasing solubility of silica with increasingpH.
Factor 5 relates the inverse relationship between organic carbon and
dissolved oxygen.
Factor 6 relates titanium, fluoride, and temperature, but the signifi-
cance of the correlation is not apparent.
Geochemical Calculations
Geochemical calculations were made for all mines investigated. The
results of equilibrium water calculations are listed in Appendix Tables D-l
through D-65. Information items listed as "Input Species" were the ion con-
centrations (in ppm) used for each calculation. The conclusions which can
be drawn from these calculations support previous observations and conclu-
sions as to the solubilities of various minerals and potential sources for
dominant ions in the waters.
The following observations can be made based on these calculations.
• In general, the concentrations of various soluble sulfate
compounds such as gypsum and starkeyite were generally
highest in the shallower waters, indicating that evapora-
tion is playing an important role in controlling the ionic
strength of solution. This fact is further supported by
the observation that waters at or near the surface (ponds,
springs issuing from spoils, and lysimeters) have the
highest ionic strengths.
170
-------
• The ionic strengths of lysimeter samples from the spoils,
and waters emerging from the bottom of the spoils were
invariably higher than overburden ground waters and
were even higher than surface waters which reside atop
the spoils. (See Methodology - Lysimeter Samples.)
• Calcite, dolomite, and gypsum were almost always at or
near equilibrium in these waters; therefore, all will act
as sources for calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate.
Calcite and gypsum will act as sinks for calcium, mag-
nesium, and bicarbonate in the water.
• Amorphous ferric hydroxide will precipitate readily from
waters containing even extremely low concentrations of
iron, thus removing iron from solution.
• Waters were oversaturated with several iron and manga-
nese species which did not appear in the rocks with which
they were in contact; e.g. , hematite, manganite,- and
birnessite. This condition indicates that these reactions
are kinetically slow and that other kinetically more fav-
orable metastable reactions are occurring, e.g. , the
precipitation of ferric hydroxide.
• The solubilities of sodium-bicarbonate species and cal-
cium or magnesium-sulfate species are so high that
these five ions generally constitute over 98% of the ions
and ion complexes in solution.
• Aluminum in solution equilibrates rapidly by forming
clays or gibbsite [A1(OH)3-nH2O ].
Several conclusions can be drawn from these observations:
• Evidence indicates that waters occurring in association
with the spoils are more mineralized than surface or
ground waters existing outside the influence of the spoils.
• Spoil-associated waters add magnesium, calcium, and
sulfate to the alluvial ground waters down-gradient of a
mine.
• The controlling factor of ground-water composition is the
composition of the strata through which waters flow. High
sulfate waters produced in the spoil pile remain in the
spoil, emerge as springs, or become mixed with the
171
-------
shallow ground water. Examination of drilling logs and
water chemistry suggests isolation of waters by shale and
clay beds in the overburden.
• Grouping of the waters according to formation source
and ion chemistry yields:
Source Dominant Ions
Sandstone Na+, Ca++, HCOf
Alluvium (above mine) Na+, Ca++, HCOf
Shale Na+, Ca++, SOf, HCO3"
Spoil (lysimeter samples) Ca~*~+, SOf
Surface Water Within the Mine Area Mg++, Ca++, SOf
Surface Water Outside of the Mine Area Na, Ca++, HCOf
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT CHEMICAL
REACTIONS
Two different types of interactions must be considered. First, and
by far the more important, are those reactions occurring in the presence of
water, carbon dioxide, and free oxygen; i.e. , those involving reducing
waters high in organic matter. Certain reactions are not affected by the
presence or absence of oxygen. These reactions are discussed below and
are shown diagramatically in Figures 69 and 70.
1. Reactions independent of the presence or absence of oxy-
gen.
• The presence of gypsum (or anhydrite). This re-
sults in a calcium sulfate water, often with the forma-
tion of secondary gypsum deposits. The solution and
reprecipitation of these minerals are generally cyclic.
• Magnesium-sulfate-hydrate species are almost
certainly secondary in origin, even when they occur in
the undisturbed overburden. They are extremely solu-
ble in water, dissolve readily, and crystallize out on
evaporation of the water. The whole process is re-
peated numerous times when they occur in spoil piles.
• Clay minerals under alkaline and slightly acid pH
conditions will tend to remove many of the heavy metal
trace elements from the water. In addition, some
clays--particularly the montmorillonite group—will ad-
sorb calcium and magnesium from the water and
172
-------
Halite
Plagioclase
Gypsum
Calcite
Dolomite
Side rite
Pyrite
Starkeyite
Figure 69. Aerobic reaction cycle: weathering of
minerals in the presence of HaO, CO2, and O2.
173
-------
Figure 70. Anerobic reaction cycle: anerobic reactions
influenced predominantly by sulfate reduction; i. e. , the
oxidation of organic matter using the oxygen tied up in
sulfate. Microbial catalysis is a necessity.
174
-------
liberate sodium.
2. Reactions dependent on the presence of free oxygen (Fig-
ure 69).
• Pyrite will decompose with the liberation of sul-
furic acid and the precipitation of insoluble yellowish-
brown ferric hydroxide, which is initially colloidal,
but gradually changes to limonite and hematite. The
presence of carbonates will neutralize some or all of
the sulfuric acid produced.
• Calcite will give rise to calcium sulfate waters
generally with the precipitation of gypsum.
• Dissolution of dolomite will produce calcium-
magnesium-sulfate waters generally accomplished by
the precipitation of gypsum and a gradual enrichment
in magnesium sulfates. If the amount of pyrite ex-
ceeds that of the carbonates, acid mine drainage is a
potential problem. This reaction is generally accom-
plished by the leaching of heavy metals from other
sulfides and'from clay minerals.
3. Reactions dependent on the absence of free oxygen (Fig-
ure 70).
• The predominant reaction under the conditions
of abundant organic material and no free oxygen is that
of sulfate reduction, where sulfate is reduced to sul-
fide with the accompanying oxidation of organic carbon
to bicarbonate. The generation of sulfide usually re-
sults in the formation of pyrite if any iron either in
solution or as limonite is present.
Under certain pH conditions, some of the iron present may be trans-
formed to siderite. The actual formation of either pyrite or siderite de-
pends on a variety of factors that are not readily predictable.
Effects of Climate
In semi-arid to arid climate typical of all the sites studied, water will
infiltrate into spoil piles, dissolve material, and in general return to the
surface by capillary action. This process leads to the accumulation of solu-
ble or partially soluble salts at the surface. The next influx of water redis-
solves these salts, and the process is repeated with a gradual increase in
175
-------
the quantity of these salts accumulating. Amajor influx of water will, how-
ever, flush many of these salts out of the spoils, probably into the highwall
pits, from which they may enter the ground or surface water systems.
176
-------
SECTION 9
PRESENTATION OF THE PREDICTIVE METHOD
This section describes the procedure to be followed by a mine opera-
tor in applying the predictive method developed in this study. The method-
ology applies only to potential coal strip-mine sites in the Western United
States.
The operator may implement the predictive method by following the
steps shown in the flow chart (see Figure 71). The first parameter to be
characterized at the mine site is geology, followed sequentially by hydro-
geology, climate, water chemistry, and mineralogy. The significance of
each of these parameters is discussed below.
GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY
The primary objective of the geological studies is to determine the
structural complexity of the area to be mined. A structurally complex area
will contain more than one hydrogeologic system, and each system must be
evaluated separately when following the predictive method flow chart. Pos-
sible problems associated with structurally complex areas include:
• Ambiguous ground-water flow directions.
• Mixed ground-water sources.
• Greater potential for interaction of surface waters and
ground waters.
For each hydrogeologic system, it is necessary to define the posi-
tions and types of aquifers present in terms of placement relative to the coal
to be mined (see Figure 59). Several aquifer systems may exist at any one
site, and individual aquifers may be confined or unconfined within geological
strata. Where coal is below or within a confined aquifer, aquifer water will
enter the mine but spoil water, if present, will not enter the aquifer unless
it has access to the recharge area for that aquifer.
177
-------
Geology
Simple
Complex
Separate into
Hydrogeologic
Systems
Aquifer
Unconfined
Confined
I
Coal Below or in
Water Table
Coal Above
Water Table
I
Coal Above
Aquifer
Precipitation
Precipitation
Low
Possible Chemical
Change
Unlikely Chemical
Change
TDS Content
of Water
High
(>1000 ppm)
Low
(<1000ppm)
Ca-Mg-S04
Water
I
Unlikely
Chemical Change
Water Not
Ca-Mg-SO4
Possible Chemical
Change
Coal Below or
in Aquifer
Possible Chemical
Change
Present
Clay
Present
Absent
Pyrite
i
Probable Chemical
Change
Absent
Pyrite Exceeds
Carbonates
^^^i
Carbonates
Exceed Pyrite
Present
'|
Gypsum
(Nofe 9)
Abs
(<0.
1
Probable Chemical
Change
Probable Chemical
Change
Figure 71. Predictive method flow chart.
Unlikely Chemical
Change
178
-------
CLIMATE
When the coal is above the water table, mining operations are unlik-
ely to cause changes in ground-water chemistry unless precipitation infil-
trates through the spoils and into the underlying ground water. This will
result only where precipitation is high or where the distribution of precipi-
tation is uneven. However, this condition is unlikely to occur over the semi-
arid West where precipitation is low and where evaportranspiration exceeds
precipitation. The meteorological conditions must be determined at the site
before this generality can be assumed to hold.
WATER CHEMISTRY
Water samples must be obtained from each aquifer, and samples
must be analyzed according to standard procedures. Conductivity, pH, dis-
solved oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide should be measured in the field at the
time of sample collection. Laboratory analysis of each water sample from
all confined and unconfined aquifers should be made to determine the major
chemical constituents: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfate,
bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, and the TDS content.
A "vector" diagram representing the water compositions, and the
field determinations, while not directly applicable to the flow chart, will
assist the operator in understanding the ground-water conditions. TDS con-
tent of the water best describes its quality for purposes of application of this
method. The dividing line of 1,000 mg/1, although somewhat arbitrary, is
used by the U. S. Geological Survey to distinguish between saline and non-
saline waters. The next flowsheet criteria are the calcium, magnesium, and
potassium content of the waters. Ground waters low in TDS, or with a chem-
ical composition other than calcium, magnesium, and potassium could be
subjected to a drastic chemical change if mixed with spoil water because
spoil waters are generally high in TDS with a calcium-magnesium-potassium
composition. Waters must be considered chemically indistinguishable from
spoil water if two-thirds of the ions (expressed as meq/1) consist of calcium,
magnesium, and sulfate, and if the TDS exceeds 1,000 mg/1.
MINERALOGY
The final parameter considered in the chart is the mineral content of
the overburden determined from either cores or drill cutting samples. A
lithologic column, preferably prepared from core data, is necessary to de-
termine the number and type of rock units in the overburden. Samples of
each lithologic type are to be submitted for mineralogical analysis by x-ray
diffraction. A clay-size separation is also to be made on each sample and
the amount and types of clay minerals determined.
179
-------
The critical minerals whose presence or absence must be ascer-
tained are: clays, carbonates, pyrite, and gypsum, and other sulfates. One
method of compiling this data is to prepare a table containing the various
rock units, the percent of the overburden that each rock unit represents, and
the composition of the rock unit as determined by x-ray diffraction. If nei-
ther gypsum nor pyrite is detected by x-ray diffraction, but either is found
in the core (either visually or by staining tests), then 1% of each is to be
assumed.
If clays comprise less than 1% of the overburden, they should be con-
sidered absent for the purposes of this study. In the rare case where clay
is not present, heavy-metal trace elements may be present in the water,
and these elements could result in a major change in ground water chemis-
try.
Pyrite and gypsum are considerably more reactive than clay miner-
als, and the distinction between their presence or absence should be set at
0. 1%. If the overall quantity of pyrite in the overburden is greater than the
quantity of carbonate that could neutralize sulfuric acid formed by pyrite
decomposition, then acid mine drainage is a potential problem. If gypsum
or other sulfate minerals are present, or if calcium-magnesium sulfate is
formed by the neutralization of the sulfuric acid from pyrite, then the spoil
water will contain calcium-magnesium sulfates.
It must be emphasized that throughout this study, value judgments
pertaining to the possible effects of ground-water chemical changes observ-
ed and predicted were not made, nor intended. Such judgments were con-
sidered to be beyond the scope of the project.
180
-------
REFERENCES
1. Gleason, V. , and Russell, Henry H. , 1976. Coal and the Environ-
ment Abstract Series: Mine Drainage Bibliography, 1910-1976.
Bituminous Coal Research, Inc.
2. Caruccio, F. T. , 1973. Characterization of Strip Mine Drainage by
Pyrite Grain Size and Chemical Quality of Ground Water, In: Ecology
and Reclamation of Devastated Land. Ed. Russell Hutnik and Grant
Davis, p. 193-226.
3. McWhorter, D. B. , and Rome, J. W. , 1976. Inorganic Water Quality
in a Surface Mined Watershed. Paper presented at: American Geo-
physical Union Symposium on Methodologies for Environmental
Assessments in Energy Development Regions. Dec. 8, 1976, San
Francisco, California.
4. Averitt, Paul, 1972. Geologic Atlas of the Rocky Mountain Region.
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Denver, Colorado.
5. Weimer, R. J. , 1977. Stratigraphy and Tectonics of Western Coals.
In: Geology of Rocky Mountain Coal. A symposium, Keith Murray,
ed. Colorado Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado.
6. Wyoming State Engineers Office, 1970. Water and Related Land Re-
sources of the Green River, Wyoming. Wyoming Water Planning
Program Report No. 3.
7. Wyoming State Engineers Office, 1972. Water and Related Land Re-
sources of Northeastern Wyoming. Wyoming Water Planning Program
Report No. 10.
8. Lowry, M. E. , et al, 1973. Water Resources of the Laramie, Shir-
ley, Hanna Basins, and Adjacent Areas, Southwestern Wyoming. U.S.
Geol. Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-471.
9. Glass, G. B. , 1976. Review of Wyoming Coal Fields, 1976. Geo-
logical Survey of Wyoming Public Information Circular No. 4.
181
-------
10. Van der Leeden, F. , Cerrillo, L. A. , and Miller, D. W. , 1975.
Ground-Water Pollution Problems in the Northwestern United States.
EPA-660/3-75--18, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada,
Oklahoma.
11. Shomaker, J. W. , Beaumont, E. C. , and Kottlowski, F. E. , 1971.
Strippable Low-sulfur Coal Resources of the San Juan Basin in New
Mexico and Colorado. New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Min. Re-
sources Memoir 25.
12. Fassett, J. E. , 1976. Stratigraphy of Coals of the San Juan Basin.
In: Geology of Rocky Mountain Coal. A Symposium, Keith Murray
ed. Colo. Geol. Survey, Denver, Colorado.
13. Scalf, M. R. , Keeley, J. W. and daFenes, C. J. , 1973. Ground-
water Pollution in the South Central States: EPA-R2-73-268. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, Ada, Oklahoma.
14. Shomaker, J. W. , and Stone, W. J. , 1976. Availability of Ground-
water for Coal Development in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico. In:
Guidebook to Coal and Geology of Northwest New Mexico. New Mexi-
co Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources Circular 154.
15. Lines, G. C. , and Glass, W. R. , 1975. Water Resources of the
Thrust Belt of Western Wyoming. U.S. Geol. Survey Hydrologic In-
vestigations Atlas HA-539.
16. Glass, G. B. , 1977. Wyoming Coal Deposits. In: Geology of Rocky
Mountain Coal. A Symposium, Keith Murray, ed. Colo. Geol. Sur-
vey, Denver, Colorado.
17. Wyoming State Engineer's Office, 1972. Water and Related Land Re-
sources of Northwestern Wyoming. Wyoming Water Planning Pro-
gram Report No. 10.
18. Hodson, W. G. , Pearl, R. H. , and Druse, S. A. , 1973. Water Re-
sources in the Powder River Basin and Adjacent Areas, Northeastern
Wyoming. U. S. Geol. Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-465.
19. Denson, N. M. , andKeefer,W. R. , 1974. Map of the Wyodak-
Anderson Coal Bed in the Gillette Area, Campbell County, Wyoming.
U.S. Geol. Survey Misc. Inv. Series Map 1-848-D.
20. King, N. J. , 1974, Maps Showing Occurrence of Ground Water in the
Gillette Area, Campbell County, Wyoming. U. S. Geol. Survey Misc.
Inv. Series Map I-848-E.
182
-------
21. Hansen, E. A., and Harris, A. R. , 1975. Validity of Soil-Water
Samples Collected with Porous Ceramic Cups. Soil Sci. of Am.
Proc. , V. 39, No. 3.
22. Bass, N. W. , Eby, J. B. , and Campbell, M. R. , 1955. Geology and
Mineral Fuels of Parts of Routt and Moffat Counties, Colorado. U.S.
Geol. Survey Bull. 1027-D, pp. 143-177.
23. Fenneman, W. M. , and Gale, H. S. , 1906. The Yampa Coal Field,
Routt County, Colorado. U.S. Geol Survey Bull. 297.
24. Boettcher, A. J. , 1972. Ground-Water Occurrence in Northern and
Central Parts of Western Colorado. Colorado Water Resources Cir-
cular 15.
25. Cooley, M. E. , Harshbarger, J. W. , Abers, J. P. , and Hardt, W.
F. , 1969. Regional Hydrogeology of the Navajo and Hopi Indian Res-
ervations, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. U.S. Geol. Survey Prof.
Paper 521-A.
26. EMRIA, 1975. Energy Mineral Rehabilitation Inventory and Analysis -
Hanna Coal Field, Carbon County, Wyoming. EMRIA Report No. 2.
Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U. S. Geological
Survey, and U. S. Department of the Interior.
27. Davis, R. W. , 1977. A Report on the Ground-Water Hydrology of the
Medicine Bow Mine, Carbon County, Wyoming. Westinghouse Electric
Corporation, Environmental Systems Department, Pittsburgh, Penn-
sylvania.
28. U. S. Geological Survey Water Resources Data for Wyoming, 1975.
Platte River Basin and Hanna Draw.
29. Glass, G. B. , 1972. Mining in the Hanna Coal Field. Geological Sur-
vey of Wyoming.
30. Rubey, W. W. , Oriel, S. S. , and Tracey, J. I., Jr., 1975. Geology
of the Sage and Kemmerer 15 Minute Quadrangles, Lincoln County,
Wyoming. U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 855.
31. Denson, N. M. , Keefer, W. R. , and Horn, G. H. , 1974. Coal Re-
sources in the Gillette Area, Wyoming. U. S. Geol. Survey Misc. Inv.
Series Map I-848-C.
183
-------
32. Hadley, R. F. , and Keefer, W. R. , 1975. Map Showing Some Poten-
tial Effects of Surface Mining of the Wyodak-Anderson Coal, Gillette
Area, Campbell County, Wyoming. U. S. Geol. Survey Misc. Inv.
Series Map I-848-F.
33. Matson, R. E. , and Blumer, J. W. , 1973. Quality and Reserves of
Strippable Coal, Selected Deposits, Southeastern Montana, Mont.
Bureau of Mines and Geol. Bull. 91.
34. Van Voast, W. , and Hedges, R. B. , 1976. Hydrogeologic Conditions
and Projections Related to Mining Near Colstrip Mine, Montana.
Mont. Bureau of Mines and Geol. Open File Report, June, 1976.
35. Plummer, N. , Jones, B. F. , and Truesdell, A. H. , 1976. WATEQF:
A Fortran IV Version of WATEQ, A Computer Program of Calculating
Chemical Equilibrium of Natural Waters. NTIS PB-261 027, Reston,
Virginia.
36. Garrels, R. M. , and Thompson, M. E. , 1962. A Chemical Model for
Sea Water at 250 °C and One Atmosphere Total Pressure. Am. Jour.
Sci. , V. 260, p. 57-66.
37. Hem, J. D. , 1970. Study and Interpretations of the Chemical Charac-
teristics of Natural Water. U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper
1473.
38. Stiff, H. A., 1951. The Interpretation of Chemical Water Analyses by
Means of Patterns. Jour. Petroleum Technology, V. 3, No. 10, pp.
15-17.
39. Korzhinskii, D. S. , 1959. Physiochemical Basis of the Analysis of
the Paragenesis of Minerals. Consultants Bureau, Inc. , New York.
40. Hounslow, A. W. , 1965. Chemical Petrology of Some Greenville
Schists Near Fernleigh, Ontario. M. Sc. Thesis, Carleton University,
Ottowa, Ontario.
41. Geraghty, J. J. , Miller, D. W. , Van der Leeden, F. , and Troise,
F. L. , 1973. Water Atlas of the United States. Water Information
Center, Port Washington, New York.
184
-------
GLOSSARY OF MINERAL SPECIES
Anhydrite
Arcanite
Birnessite
Calcite
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Feldspar
Fluorapatite
Gibbsite
Goethite
Gypsum
Hematite
Hexahydrite
Illite
Kaolinite
Limonite
Magnetite
Manganite
Montmo r ill onit e
Pyrite
Quartz
Rhodocrosite
Rozenite
Side rite
Silica Gel
Thenardite
Vermiculite
Vivianite
CaSO4
K2S04
(Na,Ca)Mn7O14'3H20
CaCO3
microcrystalline SiO2
CaMg(C03)2
NaAlSi3O8 -KAlSi3O8 -CaAl2Si2O8
Cag(P04)3F
A1(OH)3
CX-FeO(OH)
CaSO4- 2H2O
a-Fe2O3
MgSO4- 6H2O
(K,H30)(Al,Mg,Fe)2(Al,Si)4010[(OH)2.H20]
Al2Si2O5 (OH)4
general term for any hydrous iron oxide, mostly goethite
Fe204
MnO(OH)
(Na, Ca)0. 33 (Al, Mg)2Si4O1 0 (OH)2- nH2O
Si02
MnCO3
Fe+2SO4- 4H2O
FeCO3
amorphous SiO2
Na2SO4
(Mg,Fe,Al)3(Al,Si)4010(OH)2-4H20
Fe3+2(P04)2-8H20
185
-------
DK
LT
CAL
HD
GRY
BRN
YLW
SDY
SLTY
I
I
APPENDIX A
BORE HOLE DATA AND FIELD LOGS
LEGEND
Spoil or road fill (mixed SS, SHL, and coal)
Shale or clay, SHL, CLY
Siltstone, SLTS
Sandstone, SS
Coal
Sand and gravel, SD and GRVL
Perforated zone or open hole (see Figure 9, Text)
Lysimeter, cross at bottom (see Figure 10, Text)
6946, static water level and elevation
Total depth of hole, TD-531
Water first encountered
DESCRIPTION ABBREVIATIONS
DARK F FINE
LIGHT MED MEDIUM
CALCAREOUS CRSE COARSE
HARD
GRAY
BROWN
YELLOW
SANDY
SILTY
BLDRS BOULDERS
CBLES COBBLES
WTHRD WEATHERED
W/ WITH
UNCON UNCONSOLIDATED
CARBON. CARBONACEOUS
TR TRACE
ALT ALTERNATING
MTRL MATERIAL
SMPL SAMPLE
CLYEY CLAYEY
186
-------
Depth
o*
10
20
«> 30
40
50
60
SL-1B
DRY
SPOIL
t
SHALE
TD-401
SCL-2
SL-3
DRY
I
SPOIL
MIXED W/
SD & GRVL
i
TD-53'
SPOIL
SHALE
SL-4
SHALE & COAL
II
TD-551
DRIri
i
SPOIL
NO SAMPLES
TD-47'
Figure A-l. Field log and hole completion. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado.
-------
De
0
20
90
M
CO
oo 60
80
100
l?.f)
pth
t
-
5L-6
nr
6825
SLTY SD,
WTHRD
SHALE
DK GRY SHALE
BRN-DK BRN,
F, SDY SHALE
YLW, BRN, FSS
TD-40'
S-6
UU
T
DK GRY, SLTY,
WTHRD SHALE
SDY, DK GRAY
SHALE
DK GRY,
FISSILE SHALE
TD-42'
26826
SLTY, CLYEY,
WTHRD SHALE
CAL SHALE
DK GRY-BLK,
FISSILE SHALE
CD-1A
sffijM WTHRD, SLTY, CLYEY
^^ SS W/COAL
¥5* COAL
LT-DK GRY, F-MED
SS W/SHALE
SHALE
DK GRY, SDY, FISSILE
SHALE
HD, CAL SHALE H! DK GRY, F-MED SS
DK GRY SHALE
DK GRY-BLK
FISSILE SHALE
LT GRY SHALE,
F-MED SS
COAL, LENNOX
LT GRY SHALE
1F-MED SS
TD-1131
COAL, WADGE
TD-80'
Figure A-l. Field log and hole completion. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado (Cont).
-------
oo
Depth
0
20
40
60
80 -
100 -
D-14 S-5
UNCON YLW,
BRN, GRY,
CLYEY SLTS &
SS W/SOME
GRVL
JDK GRY FISSILE
I SHALE
TD-901
26817 0
SLTY, SDY,
CLY, SOME
GRVL
DK GR,
TD-231 WTHRD
SHALE
D-5
338 .
D-ll
SLTY, CLYEY
SD, SOME
GRVL
10
DK GRY, SLTY
FISSILE SHALE -,
SILTSTONE W/
OCCASIONAL
DK GRY SS
LAYER
40
50
60
TD-3381
Figure A-l. Field log and hole completion. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado (Cont).
SPOIL
6919
TD-451
-------
Deptli
oP
CD-8
D-9
40
80
120
(FLOWING)
UNCON SLTY
CLY
DK GRY, SLTY,
SDY FISSILE
SHALE
160
COAL, LENNOX
L T-DK GRY,
F-MED SS W/
SHALE LENSES
(FLOWING)
DK GRY, SLTY,
SDY, WTHRD
SHALE
10
DK GRY, SLTY,
SDY, FISSILE
SHALE W/
OCCASIONAL
SLTY SS
LENSES
S-ll
S-12
20
30
200
240
COAL, WADGE
LT-DK GRY,
F-MED SS W/
-L SHALE LENSES
TD-234'
LT GRY SS
40
COAL, DKGRY
JFISSILE SHALI;
TD-180'
50
SPOIL
TD-201
SPOIL W/COAL
FRAGMENTS
AT DEPTH
TD-22'
Figure A-l. Field log and hole completion. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado (Cont).
-------
Depth
0£t
10
20
30
40
60 L
S-10
26946
UNCON YLW-
BRN CLYEY
SLTS
TD-33'
S-7
ROAD FILL
UNCON YLW-
BRN, CLYEY
SLTS
TD-201
CD-7
^
CD-7A
ROAD FILL
YLW-BRN
CLYEY SLTS
JOAL, LENNOX
GRY-BLK 40
WTHRD SLTY
SS
GRY SS W/
CARBON.
LAMINAE 60
TD-371
80
100
120 Ll
ROAD FILL
. F-MED, GRY-BLK
SS WYCARBON.
LAMINAE & YLW-
BRN OXIDIZED
ZONES
DK GRY, SHLY,
SLTS
COAL, WADGE W/
DK GRY FISSILE
SHALE PARTINGS
SLTY, DK GRY
FISSILE SHALE
TD-821
Figure A-l. Field log and hole completion. Energy Fuels Mine, Colorado (Cont).
-------
Depth,
ft
01
20
40
60
80
100
120
CD-I
D-5
SL-10
SL-ll
YLW-BRN
SLTY-SS
COAL, Lennox
LT-DK CRY
CLYEY, SLTY SS
W/ OXIDIZED
LENSES
LT-DK GRY
SLTY. SDY
SHALE
I COAL, WADGE
TD-84'
BRN-DK BRN
SLTY, SDY-CLY
CRSE SD and
GRVL W/ CBLES
BLDRS
SL 7156
-rWTHRD SHALE
-i-COAL
TD-66'
SPOIL
YLW-BRN, SLTY
CLYEY, SS W/
SHALE
COAL,
TDK, GRY SHALE
TD-75'
SPOIL
SANDSTONE
TD-20'
Figure A-2. Field log and hole completion. Edna Mine, Colorado.
-------
Depth.
ft SL-4 S-8 SL-12
0 " "~ ""
i n
1 U
20
vo
30
40
50
60
-
"
.
-
-
""
xv
v§
VV
1
A
SPOT!
Oi^ VJ 1..1— <
NO SAMPLE
(SPOIL?)
SD ON BIT AT
30'
I
TD-58'
.-•/*•';•'
•'•'. '\'.'
?*";•';•'•'•*;
,"•«•**'.'•* ".
: *' ' Jii '
id
^
'icyi^ii
&•$£:
^^
^.O?'-- *.•:
%&'
rciak.
•:».-oTi
(»ac*y.^
^aS-f
i-Z>'»>
^>j
•^
SLTY. SD & GRVI
*-
SD & GRVL
BLDRS
-p
TD-251
\\\
x^
^V\
1
vv\
v^
S$
•1 1
A
SPOIL
SANDSTONE
TD-18'
Figure A-2. Field log and hole completion. Edna Mine, Colorado (Cont.).
-------
VO
Depth,
ft
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
SL-2
SL-2A
SL-3
SL-4A
SPOIL W/SOME
COAL FRAG-
MENTS
TD-Z4'
SPOIL
COAL
LT GRY. F-MED
SS W/SOME
OXIDATION
+ LT-DK GRY
SHALE
TD-41.0'
SPOIL
NO SAMPLE
(SPOIL? )
TD-351
SPOIL
-LTD.35'
Figure A-2. Field log and hole completion. Edna Mine, Colorado (Cont.).
-------
Ul
Depth
oft
20
40
60
80
100
120
EMK-1C
F-BUFF SS
EMK-2
11LT BRN
JJWTHRD SS
W/COALLENSE$1|JLT GRY SS
COAL
LT-DK GRY SS
CLYEY
CEMENTED
CARBON. SHALI
COAL
GRY CLYEY
SLTS
F-MED LT GRY
SS W7CARBON
LENSES
COAL
GRY, CLYEY
F-MED LT GRY
SS
TD-1101
COAL
LT GRY SS,
CLYEY
CEMENTED
COAL
LT GRY SS
TD-72'
EMK-3L
EMK-4
I FILL
SPOIL
(TR COAL)
•j F-MED LT GRY SS
LT-DK GRY SHALE
TD-58'
TD-751
Figure A-3. Field log and hole completion. McKinley Mine, New Mexico.
-------
VD
Depth
of_
20
40
60
80
100
120 L
EMK-5L
SPOIL
EMK-6C
EMK-7L
EMK-8
LT-DK GRY
CLYEY SS
TD-471
F-MED TAN-
GRY SS
ALT CLYEY
SLTS-SS WY
CARBON. MTRL
COAL
ISLTY, CLYEY
;EMENTED ss
3OALW/INTER-
5EDDED SLTS
IGRY-BLK, CAR-
IBEDDED GRY
ISLTY ss
SMPL. MISSING
OAL
|LT GRY, F-SLT^
TD-72' SS
SPOILS W7
TRS COAL
THROUGHOUT
2 7056
I
CAVED
TD-551
CLYEY SLTS-SS
COAL
LTY,CLYEY,
GRY SS
TD-551
Figure A-3. Field log and hole completion. McKinley Mine, New Mexico (Cont).
-------
Depth
o"
40
60
80
100
120
EMK-9
SPOILS
I
TD-36'
EMK-10
EMK-11
EMK-12C
GRY, SLTY,
CLYEY SS W/
OCCASIONAL
TR COAL
ICOAL INTER-
IBEDDED W/GRY-
BLKCARBON.
I SHALE
TD-801
BRNWTHRD
SOME CLAY
LT
SS,
LTGRY CARBON.
SLTY, CLYEY, F
SS W/OXIDIZED
LAYERS
LK CARBON
HALE
OAL
DK GRY, SLTY,
CLYEY SS W7
TR COAL
COAL
DK GRY,SLTY,
CLYEY SLTS-SS
TD-110'
SLTY, CLYEY, WTHRD,
LT-DK BRN SS
LT-DK GRY, SLTY,
CLYEY, F SS W7
OCCASIONAL COAL
COAL
LTGRY, F-MED, SLTY,
CLYEY SS W/ THIN
COAL LENSES & CAR-
BON SHALE LAYERS
TD-971
Figure A-3. Field log and hole completion. McKinley Mine, New Mexico (Cont).
-------
VD
CO
Depth
oft
20
40
60
80
100
120L
EMK-13 EMK-14 EMK-15
LT GRY-TAN
WTHRD SS
.SPOILS
JGRY, CLYEYSS
W/TRS COAL
TD 36'
GRY, SLTY,
CLYEY, F SS
SAME AS
ABOVE, COAL
TD-68'
SPOILS
GRY, SLTY SS
TD-531
Figure A-3. Field log and hole completion. McKinley Mine, New Mexico (Cont).
-------
Depth
Oft
MBW-
33-4-
1
33-
40
80
ID
\£>
120
160
200
240
YLW-BRN, F-
MED SS W/
CARBON. LEN-
SES. BECOMIN
GRY W7DEPTH
DK GRY SHALE
SMPL MISSING
DK GRY SHALE
MBW- MBW
4-1 (Cont) 33-4-2
RY, SDYSHALEp17
'LT GRY, F-MED,-HT
SLTY SS ~ YLW-BRN, F-
IGRY SHALE ^ MED, SLTY ss
TCOAL, #64 ^ W/SOME OXI-
3H
-------
Depth
of
40
80
o 120
o
160
180
?.4.n
t 3R4S-15-
-
m$ Y
s
~"s
Y
•q
n - ' S
Y
3?
lj""jc
***]
£A r~|
YLW-BRN SD
SMPL MISSING
~
34R4-16-1
GRY, F-MED SS
YLW-GRY-BRN, MED-CRSE SS
^—
SMPL MISSING
SMPL MISSING
YLW, GRY-BRN, MED-CRSE SS.
TRS COAL, CARBON. MTRL
SMPL MISSING
COAL
DK GRY, SLTY, F SS, CARBON.
GRY, F-MED SS W/CARBON LENSES
GRY, SLTY SHALE
COAL, #80
1LT GRY, F SS
TD-140'
DK GRY, CAL., SDY SLTS
LT GRY, F-MED SS W/SHALE
& COAL LENSES
jjJDK GRY,BRN, SLTY, CLYEY
SS W/COAL LENSES
COAL, #80
TD-1601
DRY
Figure A-5. Field log and hole completion. Rosebud Mine, Wyoming.
-------
Depth
Oft
50
100
150
200
250
KCW-4-1
UNCON. YLW-BRN SD
GRY, F, SDY, CLYEY SLTS
LT GRY, F-MED, CAL SS
KCW-4
Or
GRY, SDY, CLYEY SLTS
10
F, GRY SS
GRY, SDY-MDY SLTS, TRS COAL
SOME CLY
30
40
50
TD-2681
60 L
-2
GRY, F, SDY SLTS
GRY, F, SDY, CLYEY SLTS
W/SOME CARBON. SHALE
TD-48'
Figure A-6. Field log and hole completion. Kemmerer Mine, Wyoming.
-------
APPENDIX B
WHOLE ROCK ANALYSES
TABLE B-l. WHOLE ROCK ANALYSES
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
(Weight %)
_ SiO2 A1?,O^ TiO? Fe?O, FeO MgO CaO MnO
Core 7A, 13' 81.5 8.04 0.42 0.79 0.60 0.35 0.27 <0.01
Core 7A, 58' 48.0 9.35 0.56 0.03 9.21 3.51 4.53 0.24
Core SL-3, 0'-5' 64.3 10.7 0.59 0.60 2.16 1.56 4.03 0.05
Core SL-3, 25'-30' 72.5 10.5 0.54 0.60 2.29 1.00 1.24 0.04
Core SL-3, 45'-52' 53.4 7.98 0.33 0.43 1.05 1.19 2.90 0.01
Average 63.4 9.73 0.49 0.54 1.83 1.25 2.72 0.03
Core 7A, 13'
Core 7A, 58'
Core SL-3, 0'-5'
Average
K2O Na2O PZ®* SO4
1.61
1.45
1.64
1.71
1.05
1.47
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
51
28
37
39
28
35
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
10
15
14
13
10
12
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
06
02
11
09
05
08
S=
<0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
01
06
06
01
02
03
/-* f~\ TT (~\
UUz hl2U
<0.
11.
3.
0.
0.
1.
2
5
9
9
6
8
2.20
16.7
10.5
5.84
27.5
14.61
202
-------
TABLE B-2. WHOLE ROCK ANALYSES
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
(Weight %)
SiO, AlgO, TiO, Fe7O, FeO MgO CaO MnQ
Core CD-I A, 21' 75.0 11.5 0.63 0.79 0.35 0.31 0.07 <0.01
CoreCD-lA, 86'-25' 69.3 14.3 0.72 0.93 0.45 0.77 0.36 <0.01
Core SL-10, O'-IO1 70.4 10.3 0.39 1.60 1.14 0.72 1.67 0.04
Core SL-10, 20--30' 63.6 8.33 0.25 0.33 1.43 1.44 7.57 0.03
Core SL-10, 60'-70' 64.6 10.3 0.32 0.69 1.26 0.51 2.68 0.02
Average 66.2 9.64 0.32 0.87 1.27 0.89 3.97 0.03
Core SL-12, O'-IO' 62.0 10.9 0.61 0.42 1.49 2.21 3.35 0.04
Core SL-12, 10'-15' 63.5 10.5 0.55 1.20 1.21 1.95 3.31 0.04
Core SL-12, 15'-18' 72.8 8.21 0.45 0.54 1.21 1.66 2.56 0.04
Average 66.1 9.87 0.54 0.72 1.30 1.94 3.07 0.04
K2O NagO P?O^ SO, S= COZ H;,O
Core CD-I A, 21' 1.98 0.61 0.13 0.21 0.40 0.2
Core CD-1A, 86'-25' 2.30 0.47 0.10 0.02 0.26 <0.2
Core SL-10, O'-IO' 1.20 0.78 0.08 0.92 0.07 2.2
Core SL-10, 20'-30' 0.93 0.88 0.06 0.19 0.07
Core SL-10, 60'-70' 0.99 0.70 0.07 0.46 0.26
Average 1.04 0.79 0.07 0.52 0.13
Core SL-12, O'-IO1 1.61 0.41 0.13 0.05 0.47
Core SL-12, 10'-15' 1.69 0.49 0.13 0.13 0.45
Core SL-12, 15'-18' 1.49 0.44 0.11 0.05 0.24
Average 1.60 0.45 0.12 0.08 0.39 3.8 10.9
203
-------
TABLE B-3. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Elements
ppm
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Niobium
Rubidium
Silve r
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
CD-7A
13'
20
--
490
--
--
--
30
--
6, 100
140
260
--
--
--
80
20
80
--
--
1,400
--
--
--
30
120
360
CD- 7 A
58'
..
--
820
- -
80
--
2,300
--
1,200
20
20
40
50
--
120
--
--
1,300
--
--
230
40
70
130
Samples
SL-3
0-5'
..
--
720
--
—
--
70
--
16,000
120
620
30
50
--
80
--
120
--
__
1, 100
--
--
--
30
90
250
SL-3
25-30'
..
—
780
—
—
70
--
17,000
--
260
20
—
20
80
--
100
--
--
1,600
--
--
—
60
50
400
SL-3
40-52'
—
630
--
—
—
50
—
12,000
100
180
--
40
20
60
--
200
--
--
810
--
--
--
50
80
320
204
-------
TABLE B-4. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Samples
Elements
ppm
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Mo ly bde num
Nickel
Niobium
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Tellurium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium.
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
CD-I
21'
..
30
850
—
—
--
80
—
6, 100
20
210
20
30
30
130
20
80
60
- -
—
1,300
--
--
—
30
130
480
CD-I
86-25'
..
--
740
--
—
—
40
—
6,800
80
130
20
10
--
160
50
110
60
--
--
1,400
--
80
300
40
140
350
SL-10
0-10'
..
30
520
--
10
--
10
--
12,000
80
400
--
10
--
80
20
100
--
--
20
1,900
--
--
--
30
70
180
SL-10
20-30'
--
470
—
_ _
--
70
- -
10,000
90
290
20
30
--
60
50
210
—
—
—
1,300
--
—
--
40
60
150
SL-10
60-70'
70
—
400
-_
_ _
--
80
—
12,000
70
170
--
10
—
40
40
140
--
—
20
1, 100
--
70
--
40
40
150
SL-12
0-5'
40
800
10
- -
--
110
12,000
90
260
--
10
20
130
50
240
—
110
20
1,900
--
--
--
50
130
310
SL-12
10-15'
..
--
910
--
--
--
50
--
11,000
50
480
--
50
--
90
--
190
--
--
--
1,600
--
__
--
50
70
270
SL-12
15-18'
—
650
- -
--
20
--
8,300
80
360
20
10
--
80
--
80
--
40
1,300
--
30
300
30
50
310
205
-------
TABLE B-5. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAV FLUORESCENCE DATA
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Samples
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
to Manganese
o
-------
TABLE B-5. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA (Cont.)
McKINLEY MINE. NEW MEXICO
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
Pit 32
..
27
810
--
--
--
110
--
13,000
--
290
--
50
140
--
200
--
--
1,600
--
--
--
43
140
350
Pit 34
..
--
960
53
--
--
39
35
14,000
200
220
--
40
140
--
180
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
57
150
240
2
35-40'
..
49
1,600
--
--
--
81
--
14,000
110
310
--
73
220
--
170
--
--
1,600
--
--
--
84
180
400
4
20-25'
..
28
1,300
--
--
54
140
--
18.000
31
240
--
84
130
--
200
--
--
1,500
--
--
--
48
140
310
6
55'
..
--
700
--
--
--
100
--
17,000
81
170
--
90
98
--
290
--
--
2. 100
--
--
--
40
90
220
6
70'
-.
--
800
--
--
45
88
--
6,700
22
130
--
50
130
--
130
--
--
1,800
--
25
--
63
230
460
Samples
8
30-35'
..
--
580
--
13
47
180
--
11,000
--
44
--
20
120
--
320
--
--
1,500
--
--
--
37
150
190
11
70-75'
38
--
1, 100
53
--
--
140
--
58,000
--
1,400
--
49
84
34
160
38
--
1,500
--
--
--
62
270
270
12
80-85'
42
--
540
--
--
--
90
--
21,000
--
180
--
110
140
--
230
--
--
1,500
--
--
--
65
160
290
12
72'
..
--
900
210
--
30
23
--
12,000
78
330
24
38
140
--
180
--
--
2,000
--
--
--
30
81
230
12
74'
--
--
800
--
--
--
110
--
13,000
110
420
--
47
98
--
160
--
50
1,900
150
--
--
40
130
190
14
45-50'
.-
--
400
--
--
17
140
--
5,500
56
150
--
--
110
--
97
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
40
110
170
14
55-60'
..
--
790
--
--
--
170
--
12,000
66
88
--
34
250
--
240
--
--
2,300
--
--
--
76
150
270
-------
TABLE B-6. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Samples
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
^ Molybdenum
00
Nickel
Rubidium
Selenium
Silver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
Pit I
-.
27
970
70
--
21
130
--
18,000
87
330
70
80
170
--
--
320
--
--
1,500
--
--
--
69
150
250
Pit 2
..
17
1,100
--
--
34
130
--
15,000
28
440
50
42
--
--
430
--
--
1, 100
--
--
76
46
130
370
Pit 3
..
--
570
--
--
25
180
--
17,000
110
480
180
140
--
--
830
--
--
1,300
--
--
--
26
150
430
Pit 4
_.
--
1,100
--
--
--
75
--
30,000
74
350
60
250
--
--
280
--
--
1,800
--
--
--
57
240
180
Pit 5
-_
--
880
--
--
--
uo
«
16.000
--
440
25
70
98
--
--
190
--
--
1,600
--
--
--
69
150
310
Pit 66
„
--
1.000
96
--
12
70
...
22,000
--
510
62
110
--
--
180
--
--
1,800
--
--
--
81
73
300
S3B
_,
17
1.000
--
--
28
95
--
9,400
--
440
10
21
--
--
83
—
--
810
--
—
--
21
44
230
Well
33-4-2
75-80'
__
--
320
--
--
23
88
--
11,000
--
460
40
130
--
—
140
--
--
1,400
--
--
--
48
90
230
Well
33-4-2
85-90'
__
—
490
--
--
38
34
--
14,000
--
400
90
--
--
140
--
--
1,400
--
--
--
38
19
420
Well
33-4-2
95-100'
__
--
580
--
—
--
20
..
10,000
120
340
140
—
—
140
--
--
470
—
--
--
37
no
160
Well
33-4-2
47.5'
__
23
800
--
--
--
36
--
5,700
37
62
90
29
--
58.
--
--
950
--
--
--
30
72
120
Well
33-11-1
59'
._
--
1,100
--
--
--
96
--
11.000
120
370
20
140
--
--
72
--
--
810
--
--
--
46
110
590
Well
33-11-1
69'
_«
130
580
--
--
21
130
--
19.000
78
180
9
200
--
--
150
--
.,
1,300
--
--
--
50
42
190
Well
33.11-1
123'
..
--
540
--
--
--
30
--
9,300
46
290
8
120
--
--
110
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
72
140
250
Soil
No.
31
,.
--
640
--
--
9
72
--
7,000
20
400
7
60
--
..
88
--
--
1,300
—
--
--
31
36
250
Soil
No.
32
--
650
--
--
--
77
--
18,000
--
480
10
180
--
..
170
--
-_
810
--
--
--
21
8
220
Lake
( Semlnoe
Reservoir^
--
840
10
--
13
96
--
30,000
130
690
60
170
--
--
140
--
..
830
--
--
..
75
84
120
-------
TABLE B-7. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
ROSEBUD MINE. WYOMING
Sample a
Well 34R4-16-1
Element. R4-N1 R4-N2 R4-N3 R4-N4 Pond
Pond 4 Pit 4
Pit 4S
80-85' 125-130' 150-155'
Well 3R4S-15-1 Top Profile Groundhog
27' 73' 115.9' No. 33 No. 35
NJ
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganeie
Molybdenum
Nickel
Rubidium
Sllver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungiten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
810
19
920
70 --
20
1,100 580
960
880
580
580
700
650
500
730
530
-- 23 -- 40 -- 50 --
120 110 11,000 40 50 50 90
100 58 52
19
10
20
190
210
76
38
200
340
80
10
120
360
80
70
140
250
30 20
70 140
260 150
80
160
2ZO
30
80
570
32
60
130
77
54
440
55
120
320
11 47
50 140
180 160
210
35
21.000 23.000 23.000 47,000 13,000 19.000 15.000 16.000 12,000 13,000 25.000 7.100 13.000 8,000
-- 140 -- 90 70 50 -- -- 110 87 58 130 75 69
44 400 290 550 350 340 180 350 420 330 1,000 400 130 270
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -. 6 -- 9
65 74 60 60 30 10 20 50 50 40 50 10 -- --
120 200 120 130 100 100 120 140 120 140 110 60 110 48
.. .. JO -- -- -- -- 30
210 270 90 230 240 220 320 330 99 150 280 64 230 380
-- -- -- -- 120
1.800 1.100 1.300 1.800 1,400 1,800 810 1.800 1.500 650 1,500 950 1.700 950
28
84
68
1,300 910
790
18
37 84 36
470
950
18 12. 44
30 49 42
140 94 280
960
52
55
6,600 2.200 10,000 1,500
68 46 93 81
130 320 440 330
.. 1} Zl
-- -- -- II
66 46 66 180
190 180 99 220
1,600
30
75
100
330
21
92
15,000
100
400
11
150
1,800
32
130
280
-------
TABLE B-8. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
KEMMERER MINE, WYOMING
Samples
Elements 12 14 56789 10 11 U
Antimony
Arsenic 54 58
Barium 560 650 1,000 210 190 200 1.900 570 280 390 170 470
Chromium -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 46 68
Cobalt 12
Columbium -- 22 11 -- 29 -- 38 -- 76
Copper 77 130 81 99 72 21 240 40 94 67 46 84
Gold
Iron 17,000 15,000 23,000 15,000 11,000 19,000 30,000 21,000 21,000 16,000 130,000 140,000
Lead 25 35 120 84 84 66 ^78 200 64 87
Manganese 640 220 1,100 230 190 130 120 460 260 340 74 ISO
K)
M Molybdenum -- -- 54 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 38
O
Nickel 12 40 18 -- -- 18 28 62 51 29 130 260
Rubidium 100 140 150 130 28 69 60 180 160 160 74
Silver
Strontium 82 250 130 130 87 100 600 250 380 540 26 87
Thorium
Tin
Titanium 810 1,700 1,500 980 1,800 1,500 1,500 1,500 820 1.500 890 1,700
Tungiten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium 29 72 72 44 56 35 98 49 81 46 -- 87
Zinc 96 180 140 94 110 °95 160 130 90 180 110 110
Zirconium 260 500 -- ISO 90 130 490 310 310 290 110 160
13 14
..
--
560 370
24
--
21
48 65
--
13,000 17,000
56 74
270 90
18 70
110 150
..
130 160
--
--
820 1,800
--
--
380
44 49
88 140
710 400
15 16 17 18
26
--
1,300 800 960 540
86
20
--
160 110 72 48
--
20,000 15,000 16,000 21.000
88 78 150 160
900 290 920 620
65 -- 80 110
84 70 88 130
25
120 150 160 200
..
..
640 1,900 1,400 1,200
140
..
--
31 60 38
90 150 760 120
250 310 200 340
19
--
--
190
50
--
--
39
--
18,000
140
310
15
20
98
--
130
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
38
72
160
-------
TABLE B-9. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
WYODAK MINE, WYOMING
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Tellurium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
2
..
17
1,700
--
--
--
140
--
12,000
160
310
15
34
110
--
290
--
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
58
81
210
3
._
--
1,300
--
—
--
78
--
29,000
96
640
--
51
140
--
170
--
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
58
230
220
Samples
4
26
860
—
—
--
120
--
14,000
27
350
--
11
150
--
290
--
--
--
1,500
--
--
--
73
81
250
5
9
600
—
24
--
120
--
39,000
84
130
--
80
84
190
--
--
--
970
--
--
50
140
150
7
45
400
—
_ _
15
160
20,000
18
260
11
—
28
--
540
--
—
--
1,300
--
--
37
170
110
211
-------
to
TABLE B-10. WHOLE ROCK
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
CQLSTRIP MINE. MONTANA
Sample s
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Rubidium
Silve r
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
Iodine
1
_ —
10
620
--
--
_ -
94
--
30,000
110
440
18
20
64
--
100
--
--
970
--
--
-_
37
38
220
--
2
• ^
20
--
--
--
__
20
--
5,000
35
330
9
--
--
540
--
--
950
--
--
__
21
20
100
--
6A
..
43
620
_ _
_ _
60
—
110,000
290
150
18
210
--
- -
48
- -
330
--
--
--
--
60
170
--
7
..
17
370
50
—
__
39
—
19,000
--
200
--
30
68
--
260
--
--
1,500
--
-_
52
110
210
84
7A
..
--
750
__
_ _
_ _
90
_ -
39,000
140
410
--
26
76
—
200
--
1,300
--
--
__
40
100
230
--
8
..
17
580
_ _
_ _
11
57
__
10,000
—
180
9
20
54
__
480
--
—
1,300
--
--
32
38
190
--
10
— —
54
4,800
62
- -
- -
140
_ _
210,000
- -
960
19
150
—
--
24
—
—
1,400
--
--
--
27
63
210
--
13
— mf
21
470
--
- -
40
84
_ _
46,000
170
210
--
--
80
- -
93
- -
--
1,300
--
--
- -
30
57
170
--
14
«• —
25
660
—
--
--
78
- -
8,900
24
350
--
24
96
_ _
93
- -
—
800
--
--
--
45
22
180
—
15
..
9
440
__
—
40
__
9,700
150
660
--
--
52
100
--
- -
1,600
.-
50
--
38
22
580
--
-------
TABLE B-ll. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAV FLUORESCENCE DATA
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Sample*
Element!
CD-7A
IV
CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A CD-7A SL-1B SL-1B SL-3 SL-3 SL-3
18' IV Z8- 291 36' 42' 50' S3' 58' 64' TT 82' 0-5' 35-40' 0-5' 25-30' 45-52'
Antimony
Araenic
Barium
Chromium 540
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper 150
Gold
Iron
Lead
^ Manganeie 270
Molybdenum
Nickel 230
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium 1,200
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc 270
Zirconium
600 630 510 700 330 580 400 330 540
120 390 800 670 400 470 670
90 100 30 80 80 120 30 140 120 100 80 210
99 110
150
43,000 71,000 21,000 17,000 110,000 26,000 32,000 29,000 36,000 51,000 17,000 11,000 91,000 33,000 74,000 64,000 69,000 67,000
130 330 -- -- -- -- 160 -- -- -- -- 530
420 160 290 2,100 160 390 510 320 680 160 150 1,500 280 500 340 460 420
470 150 270 180 390 290 260 330 230 150 180 30 290 430 260 320 270
140 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 130
70
120
2,100 1,400 1,200 1,200 1,800 1,800 2,000 2,000 1,100 1,100 1,400 2,000 1,200 1,200 890 1,600 1,400
84
280 140 150 200 130 160 180 180 ISO 180 190 330 470 210 250 430 360
-------
TABLE B-ll. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA (Cont.)
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Samples
SL-4 SL-4 D-6 D-6 D-5 D-5 D-5
Elements 0-101 30-31' 0-5' 95-100' 0-5' 95-100' 200-205'
Antimony
Arsenic -- -- -- -- 66
Barium
Chromium 7JO 340 540 340 540 800 800
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper -- -- -- -- 120 -- 140
Gold
Iron 42,000 14,000 59,000 25,000 110,000 43,000 56,000
Lead
rO
H Manganese 340 480 140 130 1,100 350 360
it*
Molybdenum
Nickel 590 260 230 260 270 150 260
Rubidium -- 110
Silver
Strontium 42 110 32 110 -- 96 58
Thorium
Tin
Titanium 1,600 1.200 1,100 2,100 710 1,200 1,400
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc 360 330 220 160 460 130 2ZO
Zirconium
D-5 D-9
300-305' 0-5'
.-
--
520
210 470
--
--
33 190
..
16,000 95.000
240 350
310 420
30
260 340
170
..
120 160
-.
-.
1,200 1,800
--
--
--
140
390 790
170
D-9
45-50'
--
--
560
330
--
30
200
--
88,000
480
490
310
260
--
250
--
--
1,400
--
--
--
140
330
200
D-9 D-9
95-100' 145-150'
--
-.
480
270 540
-.
..
60 210
.-
75,000 58,000
390
180 220
360 350
240
-.
260 170
-.
--
1,600 1,600
-,
60
250
110
380 300
190 80
D-9
171-175'
--
--
--
540
--
--
150
--
34,000
250
230
60
--
BO
--
—
1,200
-
--
--
--
210
140
-------
10
TABLED-12. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Samples
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Niobium
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
CD-1A
21'
..
__
--
340
--
—
30
--
6,800
350
--
60
230
--
--
--
120
--
—
710
--
--
--
50
90
140
CD-1A
86-25'
..
70
--
50
--
90
90
--
27,000
--
180
--
240
90
170
--
140
--
1,800
--
--
-'-
--
270
160
S-10
0-10'
..
--
--
270
--
--
60
--
15,000
--
230
--
240
--
--
--
--
--
--
530
--
--
--
--
210
--
S-10
20-30'
..
--
270
--
--
30
--
37,000
--
310
--
150
--
--
--
40
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
--
210
_.
S-10
60-70'
..
--
--
340
--
--
120
__
21,000
700
220
--
130
--
--
--
__
--
--
1,200
--
--
--
--
200
--
SL-12
0-5'
-• «
_.
--
270
--
--
30
--
22,000
--
220
--
130
--
--
--
--
--
--
1,200
--
- -
--
--
360
--
SL-12
10-15'
•V ••
--
--
400
--
--
130
--
17,000
--
280
--
160
--
--
--
--
--
--
1,200
—
--
--
250
--
SL-12
15-18'
— ^
--
--
270
--
60
--
13,000
--
280
--
130
--
--
--
--
--
_-
890
- -
--
--
190
--
-------
TABLE B-13. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbiurn
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
Hole 1
18'-CA
--
--
3,800
210
..
96
330
--
85,000
88
200
42
560
--
..
1,700
--
--
1,400
--
--
--
230
140
340
Hole 1
47'-CA
.-
33
14,000
-.
--
49
300
--
19,000
150
170
..
ZZO
27
--
1,500
--
..
1,700
--
--
--
110
150
730
Hole 1
50'-CA
--
72
15,000
140
320
--
350
--
76.000
260
190
51
540
HO
--
2,900
.-
--
1,600
--
--
--
300
130
600
Hole 1 Hole 1
96'-CA 16'
..
90
320
190
..
..
240 56
..
23,000 17,000
210
430 78
30 66
240 100
130
_,
2,400
..
..
1,600 1,100
..
..
330
110 78
160 300
120
Hole 1
22'
._
--
--
160
--
--
75
--
48,000
440
280
.-
260
37
--
100
--
--
1,600
--
--
--
84
200
120
Samples
Hole 1 Hole 1 Hole 1
74' 101' Pit 32
..
-.
..
..
..
-.
90 75 140
..
13,000 20.000 33,000
290
180 200
43
330 55 130
..
-.
64
-.
-.
2,000 1,600 1,800
__
..
--
--
160 130 170
110 -- 100
Hole I
Pit 34
--
--
--
94
..
--
100
..
24,000
--
130
--
210
--
--
68
--
--
1,100
--
—
--
--
150
46
Hole 2
35-40'
--
--
-.
--
--
--
75
--
19,000
330
150
120
160
--
--
64
--
--
2, 100
--
--
--
--
160
._
Hole 3 Hole 4 Hole 5
65-70' 20-25' 40-45'
--
--
700
120 14 120
--
--
44 25 200
..
48,000 37,000 38,000
330
100 180 150
--
240 180 130
130
--
150
--
-.
2,100 1,600 2,400
-.
--
--
-.
150 210 210
140 90
-------
TABLE B-13. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA (Cont. )
McKINLEY MINE. NEW MEXICO
Samples
Hole 6 Hole 6 Hole 7
Elements 55' 70' 50-55'
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium -- 180
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper 84 56 25
Gold
Iron 16.000 14.000 21,000
Lead
Manganese 100 75 180
Molybdenum
Nickel 210 260 240
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium -- -- 110
Thorium
Tin
Titanium -- 1,800 1, 100
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc 220 140 180
Zirconium -- -- 120
Hole 8
30-36'
--
--
--
86
--
--
120
--
27,000
88
130
--
180
--
--
120
--
--
2,000
--
--
--
--
190
56
Hole 11 Hole 11
70-75' 80-85'
--
--
..
330
-.
--
23 28
--
18,000 26,000
360 440
200
.-
80 130
--
-.
110
--
..
890 1,400
..
--
-.
--
120 150
..
Hole 12
72'
--
--
--
--
--
110
56
--
9,000
290
100
80
150
--
--
--
--
--
1,400
--
--
--
92
160
92
Hole 12 Hole 13
74' 30-35'
..
--
-.
--
-.
--
28 28
--
10,000 28,000
110
100 130
50
80 240
40
--
120
--
--
1,000 1,700
--
--
--
35
140 230
140
Hole 14
45-50'
--
--
--
--
70
110
I- -
9,400
440
50
--
130
--
--
--
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
--
140
--
Hole 14
56-60'
..
--
-, -
'--
--
--
120
--
29,000
330
75
54
180
170
--
58
--
--
2,300
...
--
--
--
180
160
Hole 14
50-52. 51
--
--
--
100
--
--
23
--
19,000
--
160
--
210
--
--
72
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
140
130
--
Hole 1
87.28'
.-
--
--
200
--
--
360
--
21,000
--
110
33
230
--
--
120
--
--
2, 100
--
--
--
--
200
140
Hole 6
77'
-.
--
--
540
--
--
200
--
2,500
480
130
40
250
140
--
84
--
--
2,300
--
--
180
--
200
210
-------
TABLE B-14. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Samples
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
Lead
,_, Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
Pit 1
--
--
--
280
--
--
140
--
62.000
88
500
--
290
230
--
170
--
--
2,000
--
i
--
160
230
140
Pit 2
-.
--
--
--
--
81
100
--
69,000
--
620
--
240
94
--
260
--
--
1.700
--
--
--
35
390
120
Pit 3 Pit 4
.-
.-
..
270 230
..
..
100 200
._
24,000 81.000
300 300
280 470
--
150 330
360
.-
96 310
--
..
1,600 1,700
--
--
-.
180
140 630
180
Pit 5
--
--
--
500
--
--
280
--
67,000
300
480
--
260
--
--
130
--
--
1,500
--
--
340
140
400
84
Soil from
33-4-2
Pit 66 31
.-
..
..
14 330
..
.-
260 25
..
75,000 29,000
530
550 350
•
230 230
..
.-
110
--
.-
1,800 870
-.
--
..
..
560 170
78
Topsoil from
Stockpile
East of Main
Haul Road
32
..
--
--
230
--
--
23
--
41,000
_-
400
--
130
--
--
27
--
--
1,600
--
--
--
--
150
140
Hole
33-4-2
75-80'
--
--
--
340
--
--
370
--
44,000
48
190
74
340
--
--
140
--
--
1,600
--
--
--
110
320
50
Hole
33-4-2
85-90'
.-
--
--
210
--
--
330
--
32.000
350
250
43
340
--
--
46
--
--
1,200
--
--
--
--
260
--
Hole
33-4-2
95-100'
--
--
--
270
--
--
230
--
41,000
--
220
--
200
130
--
78
--
--
1,400
--
160
--
--
400
92
Hole
33-11-1
47.5'
--
--
--
270
--
--
260
--
58,000
290
1,000
--
380
160
--
180
--
--
710
--
--
--
110
330
-.
Hole
33-11-1
59'
--
--
--
210
--
--
180
--
35,000
180
53
120
480
58
--
84
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
--
330
-.
Hole
33-11-1
69'
--
--
--
400
--
--
370
--
35,000
580
110
--
160
210
--
84
--
--
890
--
--
--
110
320
92
S3B
-.
--
--
540
--
--
210
--
44,000
480
920
--
160
110
--
120
--
--
1, 100
--
--
--
--
330
180
Lake
(Seminoe
Reservoir)
.-
--
--
340
--
--
300
--
86,000
480
700
--
250
--
--
110
--
--
1,200
--
--
--
180
390
200
-------
TABLE B-15. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
ROSEBUD MINE. WYOMING
Samples
Hole
34R4-16-1
Elements 5-10'
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper 130
Cold
Iron 16,000
Lead
Manganese 180
to
|_i Molybdenum
^° Nickel 150
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium 39
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc 69
Zirconium 140
Hole
34R4-16-1
80-85'
--
--
--
380
--
96
120
--
63,000
95
480
330
100
--
220
--
--
2, 100
--
--
--
130
350
230
Hole
34R4-16-1
125-130'
.-
60
--
330
--
--
150
--
53,000
100
180
230
260
--
240
--
--
2, 100
--
--
--
36
430
100
R-l R-2
..
54
-.
.-
--
--
60 190
..
6,600 40,000
..
160 280
230 380
--
-.
78 84
--
..
360 890
--
--
180
..
180 320
..
Pit 4
..
--
--
470
--
--
37
--
79,000
530
590
93
650
280
--
230
--
--
I, 100
--
--
--
--
430
120
Pit 4S
._
--
--
540
--
60
130
--
76,000
360
500
28
310
160
--
140
--
--
2,000
--
--
--
--
180
120
Pond 1
__
--
--
270
--
--
150
--
88,000
130
530
66
430
470
--
120
--
--
1,200
--
--
--
--
430
180
Pond 4
..
--
--
140
--
--
200
--
16,000
130
340
430
110
--
180
--
--
1,400
--
--
350
180
270
74
Nl
..
--
--
540
--
--
110
--
95,000
130
170
66
370
--
--
36
--
--
1, 100
--
--
91
--
290
140
Nugget
N2 N3
_-
..
------
470
--
270
110 250
--
66,000 14,000
290 350
340 450
60
430 430
110 210
--
220 170
--
--
1,800 1,400
--
--
270
--
360 430
-.
Hole 3R4S-15-1
N4 27'
.-
36
..
670 210
..
--
150 50
--
85,000 47,000
--
480 150
470 210
170
--
180
--
.-
1,500 1,100
--
--
-.
130
660 150
130
73'
._
--
--
210
--
--
46
--
18,000
160
440
180
--
--
78
--
--
1,000
--
--
--
58
no
120
115.9'
..
--
--
510
--
--
46
--
33,000
290
420
210
--
--
46
--
--
1,700
.-
--
--
--
130
--
-------
TABLE B-16. CLAY FRACTION
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE DATA
COLSTRIP MINE, MONTANA
Elements
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Chromium
Cobalt
Columbium
Copper
Gold
Iron
K» Lead
Ni
° Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Rubidium
Silver
Strontium
Thorium
Tin
Titanium
Tungsten
Uranium
Vanadium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium
Section E
Sandstone in
Overburden
._
90
--
540
--
130
ZOO
--
24,000
480
200
90
540
52
--
72
--
--
660
--
--
--
84
230
120
Overburden Iron- Stained Area D
Sandstone Spoils Area E Iron- Rich Fragment Spoils
Concretion 7 7A Encrustation Sandstone from Spoils 14 15
._
95 -- 72 80
.-
210 210 330 200 800 340 230 240
--
._
28 140 30 60 37 120 66 66
..
7,500 82,000 53,000 7,600 150,000 99,000 6,300 18,000
260 260
340 -- 78 2,000 200 180 300
22
190 350 310 -- 370 470 210 150
74
..
130 -- -- -- 200 -- -- 110
-.
--
890 1,400 530 530 890 1,100 890 3,100
--
..
90
27
150 300 140 210 250 180 150 190
52
-------
APPENDIX C
WATER DATA
221
-------
TABLE C-l. WATER DATA
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
to
NJ
to
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (*C)
PH
Dissolved O; (mg/1)
Conductivity (fimhos)
Salinity (°/oo)
Laboratory Determinations
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenols (ppm)
Tannin -f Lignin (ppm)
Physical
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/1)
Total Beta Activity (pCl/1)
Laboratory Determinations
Inorganic (mg/1)
HCop
Br-1
co.-'
Cl-^
F-i
NO,"l + NO,-1
P04-'
S04-'
SiO,
Al
At
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
F«
Pb
Li
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
Se
Na
Sr
Ti
Zn
Pond
1
13.8
9.2
14
450
O.S
20.5
<0.003
0.84
6.0*2.7
0*16
141
<0.02
53
17
1.0
0.2
68
4.2
0.3
<0.005
<0.1
<0.04
36
<0.05
<0.04
<0.1
<0.03
37
<0. 1
<0.0001
<0.01
<0.1
2.2
<0.005
33
0.3
2.09
<0.1
Pond
2
14
8.1
21
1.850
1.8
3.5
<0.001
<0.05
11*6
8±19
273
0.25
2
10
2.1
2.7
1.450
6.3
0.3
<0.005
<0.1
<0.03
365
<0.03
0.06
0.3
0.06
127
<0.1
0.0001
0.02
<0.1
2.9
<0.005
30
3.1
0.56
<0.1
Pond
3
17
6.2
2,400
2.3
10.9
<0.001
<0.05
24*8
0*21
141
0
10
0.9
1,750
<0.1
0.3
<0.005
<0.1
<0.01
429
<0.05
0.03
0.4
<0.01
151
<0.1
0.009
<0.01
<0.1
5.2
-------
TABLEC-2. WATER DATA
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
M
U)
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (*C)
PH
Dissolved Ot (mg/1)
Conductivity (Mmhos)
Salinity (°/°o)
Laboratory Determinations
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenols (ppm)
Tannin 4- Lignin (ppm)
Physical
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/1)
Total Beta Activity (pCi/1)
Laboratory Determinations
Inorganic (mg/1)
iico,-1
Br'1
CO,"'
ci-1
F-'
NOj"1* NO,"
PC/'
SO,'1
SiO,
Al
As
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
Fe
Pb
LI
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
Se
Na
Sr
Ti
Zn
Pond
1
25
8.2
9
2,380
1
5.}
0.004
<0.02
6.4*4.9
15*22
128
0.45
0
n
1.2
0.4
230
7.7
<0.1
-------
TABLE C-3. WATER DATA
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Sample i
Temperature {"C)
PH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
Conductivity (wmhos)
Salinity (o/oo)
Laboratory Determinations
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenols (ppm)
Tannin + Lignin (ppm)
Physical
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/1)
Total Beta Activity (pCl/1)
Laboratory Determinations
Inorganic
HCO,-'
Br-'
CO,"'
Cl-1
j.-l
NOj-'t NO,"1
po,-»
SO/'
Sid,
Al
As
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
Fe
Pb
LI
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
Se
Na
Sr
Tl
Zn
Pit 32
8.5
8.2
2
2,325
,2.0
20.5
<0.001
0.40
41* 12
85144
660
<0.02
0
60
2.3
16
0.36
1.740
7.60
0.06
<0.01
<0.05
<0.05
<0.05
121
<0.05
<0.05
<0. 1
0.04
0. 15
58.3
<0.05
<0.001
0.20
<0. 1
12. 1
<0.01
729
3.82
0.33
<0.05
Pit 33
9.5
8. 1
8
2,300
2.0
29
<0.001
0. 18
371 10
34*24
590
0.09
0
40
1. 1
5.0
0.027
1,450
7.60
0.45
<0.5
<0.5
0.008
156
0.004
0.038
0.069
0. 105
78.8
0.012
0.015
0. 14
0.12
9.61
540
2.96
0.223
0.036
Pit 34
10.0
8.2
2
1,800
2.0
25.6
<0.001
0.31
18*6
26*20
390
<0.02
0
30
1.2
2.2
0.027
1. 180
1.9
0. 1
<0.01
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
87.9
<0.05
0.07
<0. 1
0.04
0.054
30.2
0.20
<0.001
0.20
<0. 1
9.03
<0.01
453
1. 12
0.28
<0.05
Pit 37
4.0
8.2
2
2,450
2.5
21.3
<0.001
35*11
0*36
610
<0. 02
30
50
1.6
100
0.047
1,840
9.5
0.6
<0.01
<0.5
<0.5
<0.05
121
<0.05
0.05
0.3
0.07
0.15
60.3
<0.05
•CO. 001
0.20
<0. 1
10.6
<0.01
757
3.54
0.31
<0.05
Well 1
10.5
7.7
2
1.475
1.5
7. 1
<0.001
0.41
140115
57*21
1. 170
<0.02
0
30
3.3
1.4
0.04
271
22.8
0.3
•CO. 01
<0.5
4.0
<0.05
12.0
<0.05
<0.05
<0.01
0.02
0.047
4.1
<0.05
0
0.34
<0. 1
5.51
<0.01
472
0.50
0.20
<0.05
Well 2
8.5
7.75
3
2,400
2.5
0.001
0.45
67*13
58*33
854
-------
TABLE C-4. WATER DATA
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
M
N)
LH
Sample a
Temperature ("C)
pH
Eh (mv)
Dissolved Oj (mg/1)
H,S (mg/1)
Conductivity (JJmhoB)
Salinity (o/oo)
Laboratory Determination!
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenola (ppm)
Tannin + Lignin (ppm)
Phyilcal
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/1)
Total Beta Activity (pCi/1)
Laboratory Determination!
Inorganic (mg/1)
HCO,-l
Br-i
co.-'
Cl
F">
NO,"1* NO,"'
PO,"
so.-'
SO,
Al
Ai
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
Fe
Pb
Li
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
So
Na
Sr
Ti
Zn
Pit
1
10.5
6.0
2
3,625
3.0
21.4
<0.001
0. 10
50* 16
43*56
410
<0.02
0
46
0.09
97.3
0.50
3. 190
5.4
0.07
•C0.01
<0.5
5.7
<0.05
381
<0.05
0.007
<0. 1
0.02
<0.3
390
0.19
<0.001
<0.01
<0. 1
10.7
<0.01
460
17.2
0.27
<0.05
Pit
1
6.5
6.0
5
4, 125
3.5
32.8
<0.001
0.67
54*18
0*60
180
<0.02
30
61
0.07
106
0.07
3,950
6.1
0.1
<0.01
<0.5
5.8
<0.05
445
<0.05
0.007
<0. 1
0.03
<0.3
484
0. 15
<0.001
0.02
<0. 1
13.2
<0.01
576
17.8
0.34
0.07
Pit
2A
(repeat)
15.0
7.9
180
9
0. 1
6,000
27.4
<0.001
0. 16
68*18
0*42
390
0
0
100.0
0.06
117.0
0. 18
3,516
2.1
0.08
<0.01
<0.5
6.2
<0.05
431
<0.05
<0.05
<0. 1
0.03
<0. 1
450
0.07
<0.001
0.01
<0. 1
14.2
<0.01
515
16.3
0.26
<0.05
Pit
3
7.0
6.0
4
0.1
3,950
3.5
37.7
<0.001
0.42
91*23
0*56
675
<0.02
0
66
0.09
121
0.40
3.880
9.6
0.2
<0.01
<0.5
5.0
<0.05
515
<0.05
0.008
<0. 1
0.04
<0.3
497
0.21
<0.001
<0.01
<0. 1
11.2
<0.01
521
14.6
0.57
0.08
Pit
4
14.5
6.5
8
2,500
2.25
18.7
<0.001
0.24
39*10
7*54
290
0
0
35
0.09
63.9
0.22
1.760
0.8
<0.05
<0.01
<0.5
3.6
<0.05
262
<0.05
<0.05
<0. 1
0.02
<0.3
193
0.24
<0.001
<0.01
<0. 1
10.0
<0.01
234
8.0
0.17
<0.05
Pit
5
9.5
5.0
8
0.1
2,375
2.0
30.7
0.014
0.28
45*9
25*23
189
0
0
27
0.14
0.34
0.28
1,070
0.36
0.05
<0.01
<0.5
2.6
<0.05
215
<0.05
<0.05
<0. 1
0.02
<0.3
193
0.30
<0.001
<0.01
<0. 1
8.3
<0.01
95
1.5
0. 17
0.05
Pit
66
14.0
7.2
200
6
0.1
6,000
4.5
43.5
<0.001
1.0
120*30
20*70
668
0
0
137.4
0.07
60.5
0.04
5,118
9.4
0.2
<0.01
-------
TABLE C-5. WATER DATA
ROSEBUD MINK, WYOMING
to
Samples
Field Measurements
Temperature (*C)
pH
Eh (rnv)
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
II,S (me/1)
Conductivity (Mmhos)
Salinity (°/oo)
Laboratory Determinations
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenols (ppm)
Tannin t Lignin (ppm)
Physical
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/l)
Total Beta Activity (pCi/l)
Laboratory Determinations
Inorganic (mg/1)
nco,-i
Br-1
CO,"'
ci-1
P-1
NOj"1 t NO,"'
PO,-'
so,-'
SiO,
Al
As
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
Fe
Pb
Li
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
Se
Na
Sr
Tl
Zn
Pond
1
18. S
7.1
140
7
0. 1
1.200
1.5
12.5
0.005
0.34
2i*'i
48t 14
194
0.08
0
23
0.16
0.96
0.12
588
1.7
•CO. 05
<0.01
<0.5
0.5
<0.05
119.5
<0.05
<0.05
<0. 1
0.01
0. 1
73.5
-------
TABLE C-6. WATER DATA
KEMMERER MINE, WYOMING
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
PH
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
H2S (mg/1)
Conductivity (JImhos)
Salinity (°/oo)
Laboratory Determinations
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenols (ppm)
Tannin + Lignin (ppm)
Physical
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/1)
Total Beta Activity (pCi/1)
Laboratory Determinations
Inorganic (mg/1)
HCO3~i
Br'1
COj"2
cr1
F-l
NOf1 + NOj"1
so4-z
SiO2
Al
As
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
Fe
Pb
LI
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
Se
Na
Sr
Ti
Zn
Pit 1-V
19
8.0
8
2,550
7
<0.001
0.017
18±7
0±20
146.7
0.01
0.0
19
0.20
5.9
2,025
0.70
0.28
<0.01
<0.5
0.4
<0.05
382
0.07
<0.05
0.77
0.008
0.223
. 344
0.39
<0.001
0.06
0.06
20.1
<0.01
44.8
5.55
0.01
<0.05
Pit 1-G (repeat)
14
8.0
8
4
<0.001
0.16
24±8
0±20
147.5
<0.01
0.0
20
0.20
<0.1
2,025
0.70
0.23
<0.01
<0.05
0.9
<0.05
382
0.07
<0.05
0.15
0.01
0.225
344
0.06
<0.001
<0.01
<0.-05
20. 1
<0.01
45.4
5.55
<0.01
<0.05
227
-------
TABLE C-7. WATER DATA
WYODAK MINE, WYOMING
Sample s
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
pH
Dissolved Oz (mg/1)
H2S
Conductivity (flmhos)
Salinity (°/oo)
Laboratory Determinations
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenols (ppm)
Tannin 4- Lignin (ppm)
Physical
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/1)
Total Beta Activity (pCi/1)
Laboratory Determinations
Inorganic (mg/1)
HCO3~i
Br-1
co3-2
ci-i
F-i
NOf1 + NOj'1
so4-2
SiOz
Al
As
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
Fe
Pb
Li
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
Se
Na
Sr
Ti
Zn
Pond 1
26
7.8
5
<0.1
2,725
0
14
<0.001
0.63
28±9
7±22
545.1
<0.01
0.0
19
0.50
2.2
1,390
11.3
0.15
<0.01
<0.5
<0.1
<0.05
295
0.05
<0.05
<0.10
0.03
0.091
164
0.07
<0.001
0.09
0.05
25.0
<0.01
276
4.51
0.06
<0.05
HW-1
21
7.4
3
<0.1
2,825
2.2
6
<0.001
1.3
1Z±7
0±22
563.7
0.01
0.0
263
0.76
0.9
1,701
14.5
0.06
<0.01
<0.5
<0.1
<0.05
425
0.06
<0,05
0.42
0.02
0.111
249
1.0
<0.001
0.06
<0.05
17.9
<0.01
338
5.21
0.01
<0.05
Donkey Creek
29
8.2
7
<0.1
3,900
3.0
17
<0.001
0.32
29±10
0±27
492.9
<0.01
0.0
203
1.63
0.7
1,714
18.0
0.13
<0.01
<0.5
0.2
<0.05
250
0.07
<0.05
<0.10
0.09
0.199
294
0.35
<0.001
0.09
<0.05
20.1
<0.01
366
4.02
0.06
<0.05
228
-------
TABLE C-8. WATER DATA
COLS TRIP MINE. MONTANA
Field Measurements
Temperature (°C)
pH
Dissolved 02 (mg/1)
H2S (mg/1)
Conductivity (Mmhos)
Salinity (o/oo)
Laboratory Determinations
Organic
Total Organic C (ppm)
Phenols (ppm)
Tannin + Lignin (ppm)
Physical
Total Alpha Activity (pCi/1)
Total Beta Activity (pCi/1)
Laboratory Determinations
Inorganic (mg/1)
HCOj-i
Br'1
CO,'2
ci-1
F-i
NOf1 + NO,-1
so4-2
SiOz
Al
As
Ba
B
Cd
Ca
Cr
Cu
Fe
Pb
Li
Mg
Mn
Hg
Mo
Ni
K
Se
Na
Sr
Ti
Zn
Pit D- 1
22
7.8
9
<0. 1
1,150
0.9
4
0.018
0.14
7.3±9
0±46
250.1
<0.01
0.0
9
<0.05
1.1
3,015
1.0
0.04
<0.01
<0.5
0.6
<0.0,5
283
0.07
<0.05
<0.10
<0. 1
578
<0.05
<0.001
0.04
0.06
18.4
<0.01
11.4
6.50
0.04
<0.05
Pit D-2
24
8.0
4.5
15
0.026
0.36
40±22
0±93
549.1
<0.01
0.0
22
0.05
0.2
5.043
5.0
0.10
0.01
<0.5
1.6
<0.5
265
0.10
<0.05
<0.10
864
<0.05
<0.001
0.04
0.08
45.9
<0.01
219
5.51
0.06
<0.05
Swimming Hole
25
7.9
6
<0. 1
4,450
3.0
9
0.018
0.10
93*22
0±48
175.1
<0.01
0.0
18
<0.05
0.5
3,769
0.8
0.11
<0.01
<0.5
0.4
<0.05
319
0.08
<0.05
<0.10
<0. 1
696
0.05
<0.001
0.02
0.07
18.2
<0.01
151
5.25
0.01
<0.05
Spring
21
7.7
9
<0. 1
0.8
7
0.008
0.25
12±4
14±15
401.0
<0.01
0.0
5
0.76
4.9
397
24.5
0.08
0.01
0.5
<0. 1
<0.05
119
<0.05
<0.05
<0/10
<0. 1
92.5
<0.05
<0.001
0.06
<0.05
8.12
<0.01
21.1
2.01
0.06
<0.05
229
-------
TABLE C-9. U.S. G.S. WATER RESOURCES DATA FOR COLORADO*
1975
GREEN RIVER BASIN
YAMPA RIVER BELOW CRAIG, COLORADO
Temperature (°C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
Ca (mg/1)
Mg (mg/1)
Na (mg/1)
K (mg/1)
Fe (Mg/1)
S04 (mg/1)
HC03 (mg/1)
C03 (mg/1)
Cl (mg/1)
June 26
11.5
7.9
82
ND
13
3.2
11
2.6
100
11
46
0
11
July 25
18.0
7.6
104
10.6
19
6.4
8.7
1.0
100
22
74
0
2.8
August 27
16.0
7.9
183
8.2
30
11
18
1.8
50
48
130
0
5.6
September 30
13.0
8.8
259
9.2
38
15
28
4.1
40
76
131
16
12
* This analysis is plotted on the Energy Fuels Mine vector diagram
appearing in Sections 7 and 8.
230
-------
to
u>
TABLE C-10. U.S.G.S. WATER RESOURCES DATA FOR WYOMING*
1975
GROUND WATER IN CARBON COUNTY, WYOMING AND
SURFACE WATER FROM HANNA DRAW, WYOMING
O N K
Carbon County
Ground Waters
Temperature (°C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Dissolved O2 (mg/1)
Ca (mg/1)
Mg (mg/1)
Na (mg/1)
K (mg/1)
Fe (Mg/1)
S04 (mg/1)
HC03 (mg/1)
C03 (mg/1)
Cl (mg/1)
10.0
6.7
5,350
ND**
510
420
520
9.1
ND**
3,600
487
0.0
29
10.0
8.9
2,240
ND**
270
200
160
6.7
ND**
1,300
548
0.0
11
7.0
7.2
3,970
ND**
240
250
660
17
ND**
2,300
975
0.0
16
April 28
Hanna Draw
13.0
8.2
2,190
9.4
250
170
210
8.6
20
1,300
472
0.0
15
May 16
Hanna Draw
23.5
8.2
2,590
9.0
290
180
250
8.8
110
1,600
483
0.0
19
* These analyses appear in the vector diagrams of water chemistries from the Medicine Bow
Mine in Sections 7 and 8.
** Not Determined.
-------
U)
TABLE C-ll, GROUND WATERS NEAR COLSTRIP MINE, WYOMING*
(from Van Voast and Hedges, 1976)
Temperature (°C)
PH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca (mg/1)
Mg (mg/1)
Na (mg/1)
K (mg/1)
Fe (mg/1)
S04 (mg/1)
HC03 (mg/1)
C03 (mg/1)
Cl (mg/1)
1
McKay
Coal
ND*#
7.6
2,980
349
309
116
22
0.0
1,960
402
0.0
12
2
Alluvium
7.0
7.3
2,990
253
304
251
11
0.03
1,850
571
0.0
19
3
Aquifer
Alluvium
8.5
7.4
2,900
229
300
255
13
0.01
1,760
614
0.0
17
4
Type
Rosebud
Coal
13.0
7.2
1,880
243
202
76
7.4
0.02
1,040
601
0.0
5.7
5
Rosebud
Coal
10.0
7.4
1,410
123
160
98
8.3
0.06
727
518
0.0
20
6
McKay
Coal
ND*#
7.4
1,740
112
65
387
10
0.00
789
714
0.0
9.1
* These waters appear in a vector diagram for waters from the Colstrip Mine in Sections 7 and
8.
** ND = Not Determined.
-------
OJ
TABLE C- 12. GROUND WATERS IN WESTERN WYOMING*
(from Lines, G. C., and Glass, W. R.f 1975;
Water resources of the thrust belt of
western Wyoming. U.S. G.S.
Map HA-539)
Cokeville
(Alluvium)
Temperature (°C)
pH
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1)
Ca(mg/l)
Mg (mg/1)
Na (mg/1)
K (mg/1)
Fe (Mg/1)
S04 (mg/1)
HCOj (mg/1)
C03 (mg/1)
Cl (mg/1)
7.0
7.5
378
91
21
7.6
1.4
20
130
213
0.0
4.3
Kemmerer
(Hams Fork
Fm.)
ND**
7.9
262
56
19
6.5
ND**
ND**
101
149
0.0
3.5
Jackson
(Alluvium)
7.0
7.8
264
53
22
2.2
1.8
420
83
171
0.0
1.7
Thayne
(Salt Lake
Fm.)
8.0
8.0
222
53
18
1.0
0.7
40
30
207
0.0
2.1
Afton
(Madison
Limestone)
4.0
8.2
100
29
5.0
0.0
0.7
60
9.9
101
0.0
1.0
Evans ton
(Alluvium)
10.0
8.3
360
73
23
30
1.7
ND**
26
352
5
9.7
Evanston
(Bear River (Wasatch
Fm.) Fm.)
22.0
7.5
126
33
77
2.0
0.8
ND**
4.5
141
0.0
1.4
11.0
7.6
242
30
26
24
5.3
440
12
251
0.0
11
These analyses are plotted on vector diagrams for waters from the Kemmerer Mine appearing in Sections 7 and 8.
** ND = Not Determined.
-------
APPENDIX D
GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
TABLE D-l. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND 1
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C: 13.8
pH: 9.2
M: .- 0.00768*
Surface; Upstream
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 36 Cl 17
Mg 37 SO4 68
Na 33 HC03 141
K 2.2 F 1.0
Sr 0.3
Al 0.3 SiO, 4.2
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 1.47442**
Dolomite 3.19277
Quartz -0.02361
* Tables are ordered, mine by mine, on the basis of increasing ionic
strength.
** Kcal Per Equiv.
234
-------
TABLE D-2. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE CD-8
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
13.7
7.68
0.0094946
Sandstone
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
36
19
108
2.6
0.1
1.6
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
Si02
1.0
70
312
1.5
1.6
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 0.08320*
Dolomite 0.01515
Fe(OH)3 3.31946
Goethite 8.14056
Hematite 23.55368
Quartz -0.51210
Kcal Per Equiv, see Plummer, Jones, and Truesdell (36).
235
-------
TABLE D-3. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER 50/630
GROUND WATER DRILLED TO MESA VERDE
FORMATION DOWNSTREAM OF MINE
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
PH:
M:
Aquifer:
11.0
7.3
0.010399
Sandstone
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Mn
66
30
21
1.8
30
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCOs
F
8.3
63
292
0.3
9.3
Mineral
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Rhodochrosite
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.54639*
13.27196
8.72381
1.80908
-0.15568
-0.62693
* Kcal Per Equiv.
236
-------
TABLE D-4. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE S-10
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer;
9.2
7.6
0.01569
Alluvium Upstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
41
20
200
3.3
0.4
0.7
0.3
0.1
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
11
176
571
0.9
7.5
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 0.208*
Dolomite 0. 127
Fe(OH)3 3.904
Gibbsite 1.255
Goethite 8.422
Hematite 23.973
Quartz 0.462
* Kcal Per Equiv.
237
-------
TABLE D-5. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE D-6
ENERGY FUELS MINE. COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
PH:
M:
Aquife r;
9.0
7.9
0.017053
Sandstone at Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
140
8.0
286
2.0
0.6
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
SiO2
33
265
494
0.46
11.5
Mineral
Quartz
Calcite
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Silica Gel
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.70504*
-0.12997
-0.00338
-0.45793
-0.66605
* Kcal Per Equiv.
238
-------
TABLE D-6. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GROUND WATER
DRILLED TO ALLUVIUM AT
MESA VERDE FORMATION-LEWIS FORMATION
CONTACT ON FQIDEL CREEK, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
11.0
7.2
0.017922
Alluvium Downstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Mn
47
17
210
2.5
10
60
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
12
250
443
0.3
11.0
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Hematite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Rhodochrosite
Goethite
Chalcedony
Calcite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
5.81667*
28.09887
0.64284
13.29877
8.75056
2.18450
10.45620
-0.05923
-0.38567
* Kcal Per Equiv.
239
-------
TABLE D-7. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE D- 14
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
8.0
6.5
0.022881
Shale Upstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Si
Mn
79
24
237
3.0
0.7
1.5
1.2
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
Si02
18
500
454
4.7
9.6
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Hematite
Quartz
Chalcedony
Gibbsite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
23
0
-0
3.92615*
8.36391
81861
62709
085
-0.21
Kcal Per Equiv.
240
-------
TABLE D-8. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE S-6
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquif e r:
7.2
7.4
0.031864
Shale at Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Mn
Sr
242
105
59
1.4
0.2
0. 1
1.4
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
Si02
13
735
384
0.7
9.6
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Hematite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Chalcedony
Silica Gel
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.4988*
0.61415
3.4333
7.8172
22.6995
0.6435
10.6408
5.65912
-0.0706
-0.7302
* Kcal Per Equiv.
241
-------
TABLE D-9. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE S-9
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C: 10.2
pH: 7.22
fJL: 0.034761
Aquifer: Shale Upstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 153 Cl 16
Mg 106 SO4 800
Na 223 HCO3 547
K 3.9 F 0.6
Fe 0.5
Sr 2.0 Si02 1.9
Mn 0.1
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 0.24*
Dolomite 0.422
Fe(OH)3 4.083
Goethite 8.67
Hematite 24.499
Birnessite 9.73
Manganite 5.09
Gypsum -0.695
Quartz -0.328
* Kcal Per Equiv.
242
-------
TABLE D-10. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND 2
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
14.0
8.1
0.044060
At Mine in Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppmj
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
365
127
30
2.9
0.3
3.1
0.3
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
Si02
10
1,450
273
2.1
6.3
Mine rals
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Hematite
Quartz
Gypsum
Chalcedony
*
1.43333
2.51319
3.78966
0.25767
8.63112
24.5-4456
0.26485
-0.05182
-0.42769
Kcal Per Equiv.
243
-------
TABLE D-ll. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
SPOILS FLUME
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
p:
Surface:
10.2
8.4
0.04863
At Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Mn
400
187
38
3.7
0.1
3.5
0.1
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
Si02
10
1,440
296
0.5
0.9
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Goethite
Hematite
Birnessite
Manganite
Fe(OH)3
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
,80231*
,34282
7.3789
21.91883
12.47082
7750
79309
1.
3.
7.
2.
-0.03162
* Kcal Per Equiv.
244
-------
TABLED-12. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE SL-4
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Lysimeter:
4.0
6.5
0.0488
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
229
122
371
6.0
0.1
2.0
0.5
0.05
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
47
1,450
219
0.9
Mineral
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Hematite
Birnessite
Manganite
Gypsum
*
2.6428*
1.5357
6.8116
20.5863
7.8472
2.7525
-0.2606
Kcal Per Equiv.
245
-------
TABLE D-13. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
STREAM 1
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
14.5
8.0
0.05235
Downstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
250
229
134
2.6
0.1
1.8
0.3
0.9
Anions
Cl
SO4
HC03
F
55
1,540
544
3.2
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Hematite
Birnessite
Rhodochr o site
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.45944*
3.12559
3.23166
0.34596
8.10688
23.51215
12.42877
0.76268
-0.28906
* Kcal Per Equiv.
246
-------
TABLED-14. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE SL-3
ENERGY FUELS MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Lysimeter:
10.0
7.7
0.0558
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
407
176
200
22
0.5
5.0
0.5
3.4
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO,
59
1,650
271
1.1
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Gypsum
Hematite
Birnessite
Manganite
Rhodochrosite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.8587*
1.40826
4.03724
1.30037
8.6097
0.01702
24.37414
12.56865
8.08797
0.68277
* Kcal Per Equiv.
247
-------
TABLE D-15. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE S-7
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
At:
Aquifer:
8.0
7.3
0.00373844
Alluvium Upstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Mn
26
10.7
4.8
1.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
Anions
Cl
SO4
HC03
F
Si02
4.0
25
116
1.1
11.2
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Hematite
Birnessite
Manganite
Chalcedony
Quartz
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
3.48070*
7.91820
22.92690
10.7092
5.9527
-0.00246
0.70914
Kcal Per Equiv.
248
-------
TABLE D-16. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE S-5
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
10.0
7.0
0.0322103
Shale at Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Mn
276
92
24
4
6.6
3.3
0.7
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
SiO,
14
775
410
1.1
5.8
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Hematite
Birnessite
Manganite
Calcite
Quartz
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Rhodochrosite
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
5.49031*
10.06259
27.27975
9.95079
5.47019
0. 14126
0.30476
-0.40049
-0.18598
-0.75555
-0.38565
* Kcal Per Equiv.
249
-------
TABLE D-17. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND 1
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
Surface:
25.0
8.2
0.039036
At Mine on Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Mn
500
150
26
4.7
0.1
1.9
0.1
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
F
SiO2
13
230
128
1.2
7.70
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Hematite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1
3
3
9
25
0
10
,71168*
,11818
,59681
,17833
,9906
, 14645
,60774
7.49941
* Kcal Per Equiv.
250
-------
TABLE D-18. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND 2
EDNA MINE. COLORADO
Temperature, °C: 24.0
pH: 8.3
M: 0.041860
Surface: At Mine on Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 386 Cl 14
Mg 113 SO4 1,488
Na 25 HCO3 53
K 2.7 F 1.6
Sr 2.6
Al 0.1 SiOz 0.5
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 0.97370*
Dolomite 1.64044
Gypsum 0.03634
* Kcal Per Equiv.
251
-------
TABLE D-19. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
SPRING 2
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface;
10.0
7.05
0.047870
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
415
150
13.7
2.6
1.7
Anions
Cl
SO4
HC03
F
10
1,563
247
0.6
3.7
Mineral
Gypsum
Calcite
Quartz
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.04187*
0.01220
0.05437
-0.65088
-0.38617
* Kcal Per Equiv.
252
-------
TABLE D-20, GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
SPRING 1
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
9.8
7.150
0.048996
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
407
169
11.4
2.2
1.6
Anions
Cl
SO4
HC03
F
Si02
10
1,650
168
0.6
0.7
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Gypsum 0.04823*
Calcite -0.10051
Dolomite -0.53594
Quartz -0.87747
* Kcal Per Equiv.
253
-------
TABLE D-21. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE SL-10
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
12.0
6.9
0.049507
Shale Beneath Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
Mn
Fe
420
111
86
5.0
2.2
0.5
7.5
12
Anions
Cl
SO4
HC03
F
4.7
1,634
253
0.8
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Hematite
Birnessite
Manganite
Gypsum
Rhodochrosite
Calcite
Dolomite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
5.90274*
2.07171
10.60970
28.43793
10.63247
6.41393
0.06273
0.13783
-0.14390
-0.83358
* Kcal Per Equiv.
254
-------
TABLE D-22. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
SPRING 3
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
10.3
7.6
0.050378
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
472
178
14
2.20
2.0
0.1
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
Si02
10
1,563
163
1.6
10.5
Mineral
Kaolinite
Gibbsite
Calcite
Dolomite
Gypsum
Quartz
Chalcedony
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
6.47640*
0.50916
0.56123
0.74257
0.08625
0.63460
-0.06969
* Kcal Per Equiv.
255
-------
TABLE D-23. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
SPRING 4
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
PH:
M:
Surface;
11.5
7.4
0.0518082
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
486
157
25
3.2
2.6
0.1
Anions
Cl
S04
HC03
F
SiO,
12
1,725
162
2.2
10.1
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Kaolinite 6.71891*
Calcite 0.31967
Dolomite 0.19818
Gibbsite 0.66577
Gypsum 0.14001
Quartz 0.58978
* Kcal Per Equiv.
256
-------
TABLE D-24. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE SL-3
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
8.5
6.8
0.053743
Shale Beneath Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
Mn
440
182
26.0
4.0
1.50
0.5
0.3
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
F
11.0
1,875
137
0.7
Mineral
Gibbsite
Gypsum
Birnessite
Manganite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
,21566*
,12664
,14928
,47488
* Kcal Per Equiv.
257
-------
TABLE D-25. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE SL-12
EDNA MINE, COLORADO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
7.0
8.4
0.09416
Shale Beneath Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
170
158
1, 140
38
0.5
13
5.0
0.2
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
22
2,975
730
0.8
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Hematite
Birnessite
Manganite
Rhodochrosite
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.54887*
3. 15422
3.52036
1.82927
7.89147
22.84242
12.76814
8.03664
0.22950
-0.3156
* Kcal Per Equiv.
258
-------
TABLE D-26. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 1
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer?
10.5
7.7
0.026375
Sandstone Upgradient of Pit 5
Input of WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
12
4.1
472
5.51
0.5
0.3
4
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
P04
F
30
271
1, 170
0.04
3.3
SiO2
22.8
Mineral
Chalcedony
Fluor apatite
Gibbsite
Kaolinite
Quartz
Calcite
Dolomite
Silica Gel
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.36067*
4.72532
1.01521
8.35121
1.06433
-0.03607
-0.53817
-0.30460
* Kcal Per Equiv.
259
-------
TABLE D-27. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 6
McKLNLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
11.0
8.5
0.028351
Sandstone Upgradient of Pit 33
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
B
Mn
14.1
4.33
553
4.43
9.5
0.66
8.4
19
0.23
Anions
Cl
SO4
HC03
P04
F
SiO,
20
107.0
1,560
0.094
3.1
95.7
Mineral
Calcite
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Kao Unite
Quartz
Silica Gel
Birnessite
Manganite
Rhodochrosite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.23621*
1.15425
1.93175
5.35136
1.85249
9.99119
11.61863
1.85632
0.48812
12.81544
8.49428
1.14369
* Kcal Per Equiv.
260
-------
TABLE D-28. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 14
Me KIN LEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
A*:
Aquifer:
12
8.1
0.039424
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
11.4
3.38
596
3.25
3.7
0.68
5.5
0.09
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
20
967
810
0.01
5.8
11.3
Mineral
Calcite
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Kao Unite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Rhodochrosite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.08388*
5.12237
2.03952
9.82945
9.57083
0.63748
11,20402
6.98541
-0.06091
-0.32406
-0.18397
* Kcal Per Equiv.
261
-------
TABLE D-29. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
PIT 34
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
10
8.2
0.039709
Pit 5 Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
Mn
87.9
30.2
453
9.03
1.12
0.1
0.2
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
30.1
1, 180
390
O.OZ7
1.20
SiO2
1.9
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Kaolinite
Birnessite
Manganite
Gib b site
Quartz
Rhodochrosite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.90498*
1.36927
3.07250
12.18373
7.7601
-0.22885
-0.32700
-0.00131
* Kcal Per Equiv.
262
-------
TABLE D-30. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 7
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Lysimeter;
12.5
6.5
0.046571
Pit 33 Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
282
94.5
273
14.7
0.38
4.1
0.35
0.47
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
F
SiO2
50.0
1,310
480
0.5
33.9
Mineral
Chalcedony
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Kaolinite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Calcite
Gypsum
Silica Gel
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.56053*
3.77864
1.85319
8.51935
10.44573
1.25783
8. 13425
3.86855
-0.47917
-0.22039
-0.10820
* Kcal Per Equiv.
263
-------
TABLE D-31. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 2
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C: 8.5
pH: 7.75
M: 0.04754
Aquifer: Sandstone Upgradient of Pit 5
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 18.8 Cl 50
Mg 5.4 SO4 1,187
Na 74.2 HCO3 854
K 4.28 F 2.8
Sr 1.02
Al 0.7 SiOz 22.8
B 2.9
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Chalcedony
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Hematite
Kao Unite
Quartz
Calcite
Silica Gel
*
0.39409*
3.66868
1.52136
8.14036
23.38774
9.41167
1.10410
-0.14888
-0.26772
Kcal Per Equiv.
264
-------
TABLE D-32. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
PIT 33
McKINLEY MINE. NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
9.5
8.1
0.0514477
Highwall Pit 33
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
1
7
56
.88
540
9
2
.61
.96
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
40
1,450
590
0.027
1.10
7.6
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Quartz
Chalcedony
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.26501*
2.29449
0.46655
-0.24029
-0.49963
* Kcal Per Equiv.
265
-------
TABLE D-33. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 13
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
Lysimeter:
7.5
7.4
0.052122
Overburden Upgradient of Pit 32
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
92.2
38.9
680
13.9
3.16
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
F
SiO-,
70
1,350
810
1.30
11.3
Mineral
Calcite
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Quartz
Gypsum
Silica Gel
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.22583*
0.01937
0.06416
0.73256
-0.79059
-0.64071
* Kcal Per Equiv.
266
-------
TABLE D-34. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
PIT 32
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C: 8.5
pH: 8.2
M: 0.059944
Surface: Highwall Pit 32
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 121 Cl 60
Mg 58.3 SO4 1,740
Na 729 HCO3 660
K 12.1 PO4 0.36
Sr 3.82 F 2.30
Al 0.06
7.6
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 1.23895*
Dolomite 2.19562
Kaolinite 4.25209
Quartz 0.48756
Chalcedony -0.22245
Gibbsite -0.44191
Gypsum -0.58769
* Kcal Per Equiv.
267
-------
TABLE D-35. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 4
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C: 12.5
pH: 6.8
M: 0.077692
Aquifer: Coal Upgradient of Pit 5
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 38.2 Cl 50
Mg 12.6 SO4 1,930
Na 1,320 HCO3 1,380
K 6.92 F 2.30
Fe 0.4
Sr 2.04 SiO2 13.3
Al 0.7
B 7.9
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Chalcedony 0.03574*
Fe(OH)3 3.95382
Gibbsite 1.70596
Goethite 8.69511
Kaolinite 9.10230
Quartz 0.73304
Calcite -0.77464
Silica Gel -0.63298
* Kcal Per Equiv.
268
-------
TABLE D-36. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 5
McKINLEY MINE, NEW MEXICO
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Lysimter:
13.0
7.0
0.093808
Pit 5 Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
B
Mn
273
11.6
1,390
18.6
0.25
5.14
0.35
5.9
0.68
Anions
Cl
SO4
HC03
F
Si02
80
2,800
760
0.6
22.8
Mineral
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite
Chalcedony
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Kao Unite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Gypsum
Silica Gel
Rhodochrosite
* Kcal Per
0.20426*
0.33650
3.77574
1.73041
8.55009
9.75741
1.03221
9.19850
5.08214
-0.08268
-0.33309
-0.68689
Equiv.
269
-------
TABLE D-37. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
LAKE (Seminoe Reservoir)
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
15.0
7.8
0.0052597
Outside Mine Area
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Al
B
31.8
10.2
19.9
2.0
0.3
0.08
3. 1
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
22
70.0
113
0.21
0.1
SiO2
10.6
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Kao Unite
Quartz
Calcite
Chalcedony
Gibbsite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
3.98266*
8.89116
5.17278
0.53855
-0.32397
-0.15081
-0.08375
* Kcal Per Equiv.
270
-------
TABLE D-38. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
P-5
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
9.5
5.0
0.039713
North Ditch Creek Outside Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
Mn
215
193
95
8.3
1.5
0.5
2.6
0.3
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
2.7
1,070
189
0.28
0. 14
SiO2
0.36
Mineral
Birnessite
Manganite
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
4.70035*
0.03050
-0.43438
* Kcal Per Equiv.
271
-------
TABLE D-39. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
WATER TRUCK
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
jU:
Check Sample:
5.0
6.5
0.043855
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
B
Mn
222
174
215
8.6
7.0
7.7
0.19
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
40
1,560
250
0.25
0.09
SiO,
1.7
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Birnessite 8.64618*
Manganite 3.55806
Gypsum -0.26507
Quartz -0.26589
* Kcal Per Equiv.
272
-------
TABLE D-40. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
P-4
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
14.0
6.5
0.0542278
Upstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
B
Mn
262
193
234
10
8.0
3.6
0.24
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCC^
P04
F
35
1,760
290
0.22
0.09
Si02
0.8
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Birnessite 7.79410*
Manganite 3.63373
Gypsum -0.19787
Quartz -0.91746
* Kcal Per Equiv.
273
-------
TABLE D-41. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 33-4- 1
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
10.0
6.5
0.0621973
Coal Upgradient of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
B
Mn
335
252
16.5
7.2
0.7
11.9
0.08
18.3
0. 16
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
37.2
1,905
589
0.05
0.07
15.4
Mineral
Chalcedony
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Kaolinite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Calcite
Dolomite
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0. 15470*
3.99596
1.32274
8.56855
8.54976
0.85995
7.66535
3. 18460
-0.39993
-0.79934
-0.05864
* Kcal Per Equiv.
274
-------
TABLE D-42. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
DUPLICATE OF HOLE 33-4-1
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
11.0
8.2
0.07041179
Coal Upgradient of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
Mn
365
257
318
13.8
11.5
0.4
6.7
0.07
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
52.5
2,350
309
0.3
0.06
Si02
69
Mineral
Calcite
Chalcedony
Dolomite
Gibbsite
Gypsum
Kaolinite
Quartz
Silica Gel
Birnessite
Manganite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.41919*
0.98065
2.83222
0.44850
0.04297
8.46258
1.68272
0.31452
11.56910
7. 15007
* Kcal Per Equiv.
275
-------
TABLE D-43. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
P-l
MEDICINE BOW MINE. WYOMING
Temperature, °C: 10.5
pH: 6.0
/J: 0.092097
Surface: Sump Holding Pond
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 381 Cl 46
Mg 390 SO4 3,190
Na 460 HCO3 410
K 10.7 PO4 0.5
Sr 17.2 F 0.09
Al 0.07
B 5.7 SiO2 5.4
Mn 0.19
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Gibbsite 0.09441*
Gypsum 0.11712
Kaolinite 4.91188
Quartz 0.26524
Birnessite 6.2200
Manganite 1.84 73 9
Chalcedony -0.43842
* Kcal Per Equiv.
276
-------
TABLE D-44. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
P-12 (repeat of P-2)
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface;
15.0
7.9
0.1011574
Sump Holding Pond
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
Mn
431
450
515
14.2
16.3
0.08
6.20
0.07
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
P04
F
100
3,516
390
0.18
0.06
2.1
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 1.24618*
Dolomite 2.79861
Gypsum 0.17498
Kaolinite 2.78796
Birnessite 10.49791
Manganite 6.37141
Gibbsite -0.36462
Quartz -0.37315
* Kcal Per Equiv.
277
-------
TABLE D-45. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
P-2
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface;
6.5
6.0
0.1093978
Sump Holding Pond
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
Mn
445
484
5.76
13.2
17.8
0.1
5.8
0.15
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
61
3,950
180
0.07
0.07
SiO2
6.1
Mineral
Gibbsite
Gypsum
Kaolinite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Chalcedony
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
0.70796*
0.25491
5.38493
0.41973
6.96828
2.05822
-0.29664
* Kcal Per Equiv.
278
-------
TABLE D-46. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
P-3
MEDICINE BOW MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C: 7.0
pH: 6.0
At: 0.11333
Surface: Sump
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 515 Cl 66
Mg 495 S04 3,880
Na 521 HCO3 645
K 11.2 PO4 0.4
Sr 14.6 F 0.09
Al 0.2
B 5.0 SiO2 9.6
Mn 0.21
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Gibbsite 0.67103*
Gypsum 0.31110
Kaolinite 0.80581
Quartz 0.66305
Birnessite 0.96088
Manganite 2.13280
Chalcedony -0.05173
* Kcal Per Equiv.
279
-------
TABLE D-47. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND 4
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
A*:
Surface:
14.0
7.6
0.016804
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
124
45
31.2
5.8
0.0001
1.0
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
17
472
15
0.16
0.2
Si02
2.4
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Goethite 4.24212*
Hematite 15.76637
Fe(OH)3 -0.59914
Quartz -0.28652
* Kcal Per Equiv.
280
-------
TABLE D-48. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND 1
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface;
18.5
7.1
0.0223876
In Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
B
119
73
70
9.7
0.0001
2.4
0.5
Anions
Cl
S04
HC03
P04
F
23
588
19.4
0.12
0.16
1.7
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Goethite 4.60974*
Hematite 16.64532
Calcite -0.41436
Dolomite -0.78931
Fe(OH)3 -0.53438
Quartz -0.58623
* Kcal Per Equiv.
281
-------
TABLE D-49. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 3R4S-15-1
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
3.0
7.100
0.03692538
Coal Between Rosebud and Nugget
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
B
258
126
90.2
6.42
1.8
11.0
0.28
0.7
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
P04
F
9.00
803
516
426
0.05
Si02
19.5
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Hematite
Kaolinite
Quartz
Vivianite
Calcite
Chalcedony
Gypsum
Silica Gel
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
3
2
7
21
10
1
2
0
0
24194*
12212
34328
61773
55270
11734
25994
19423
38985
-0.41009
-0.26245
* Kcal Per Equiv.
282
-------
TABLE D-50. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 3
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer:
9.0
6.90
0.041775
Coal Between Rosebud and Nugget
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
B
Mn
Fe
208
113
235
9.3
9.10
0.5
0.27
0.2
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
19
1,059
622
0.13
0.1
Si02
12.6
Mineral
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Hematite
Chalcedony
Quartz
Calcite
Dolomite
Gypsum
Silica Gel
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
3.40741*
7.91256
22.94792
0.05424
0.76267
-0.0087
-0.23166
-0.44115
-0.60843
* Kcal Per Equiv.
283
-------
TABLE D-51. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
PIT 45
ROSEBUD MINE. WYOMING
Temperature, °C: 14.00
pH: 7.9
M: 0.0532926
Surface: Highwall Pit
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 355 Cl 33
Mg 176 SO4 1,529
Na 182 HCO3 506
K 10 PO4 0.05
Fe 0.0001 F 0.09
Sr 10.7
B 2.4 Si02 8.1
Mn 0.14
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
_____^^^_^_^^___ •
Calcite 1.48458*
Dolomite 2.81624
Goethite 4.15108
Hematite 15.58462
Quartz 0.41213
Rhodochrosite -0.45198
Chalcedony -0.28040
Fe(OH)3 -0.69051
Gypsum -0.09759
* Kcal Per Equiv.
284
-------
TABLE D-52. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 2
ROSEBUD MINE. WYOMING
Temperature0 C: 10
pH: 6.9
IK 0.0545726
Aquifer: Undesignated Overburden Above Coal
Between Rosebud and Nugget
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 345 Cl 29
Mg 231 SO4 1,546
Na 89 HCO3 549
K 8.0 PO4 0.1
Fe 0.0001 F 0.15
Sr 7.6
B 1.1 SiOz 16.3
Mn 0.22
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Goethite 3.73813*
Hematite 14.63101
Quartz 0.89019
Calcite 0.14542
Chalcedony 0.18495
Dolomite 0.22274
Gypsum -0.10417
Silica Gel -0.47945
* Kcal Per Equiv.
285
-------
TABLE D-53. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HOLE 1
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Aquifer;
11.8
7.00
0.1042478
Above Coal Between Rosebud
and Nugget
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
B
Mn
609
550
163
9.0
0.10
11.2
0.3
1.9
2.39
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
S102
65
3,465
805
0.19
0.14
21.4
Mineral
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Gibbsite
Goethite
Gypsum
Hematite
Kaolin
Quartz
Calcite
Chalcedony
Rhodochrosite
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.41786*
3.18665
1.71936
7.88061
0.34318
22.97383
9.69009
1.01918
0.63363
0.31965
-0.02485
* Kcal Per Equiv.
286
-------
TABLE D-54. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND N-l
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface;
15.0
3.5
0.1131910
At Nugget Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
463
747
73
19.1
9.3
4.2
15.2
9.42
Anions
Cl
SO4
P04
F
SiO2
38
4,495
0. 13
0.59
24.4
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Goethite
Hematite
Quartz
Chalcedony
Gypsum
Silica Gel
2.72662*
12.76795
1.03754
0.34818
0.25412
-0.32486
* Kcal Per Equiv.
287
-------
TABLE D-55. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND N-2
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C: 11.5
pH: 7.7
jkt: 0.1327267
Surface; At Nugget Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 522 Cl 73
Mg 970 SO4 4,885
Na 128 HCO3 351
K 38.2 PO4 0.97
Fe 0.001 F 0.44
Sr 6.0
SiO2 4.0
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Dolomite 2.32162*
Goethite 5.24579
Hematite 17.69472
Fe(OH)3 0.57190
Gypsum 0.31628
Quartz 0.07867
Calcite -2.3764
Chalcedony -0.62182
* Kcal Per Equiv.
288
-------
TABLE D-56. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND N-3
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M'
Surface:
15.0
7.9
0.15184
At Nugget Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
B
Mn
481
1, 170
Z02
34.5
0.0001
6.2
0.85
0.37
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
P04
F
95
5,844
339
0.19
0.33
Si02
1.0
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 1.07943*
Dolomite 2.95648
Goethite 4.22205
Gypsum 0.28874
Fe(OH)3 -0.68751
Quartz -0.78964
* Kcal Per Equiv.
289
-------
TABLE D-57. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND N-4
ROSEBUD MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M-
Surface:
13.0
8.3
0.4596135
At Nugget Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
B
Mn
411
4,870
1, 100
60
0.2
5.4
0.6
0.7
0.44
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
F
Si02
560
18,854
623
0.7
0.66
0.4
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Gypsum
Hematite
Kaolinite
Gibbsite
Gypsum
Manganite
Rhodoch.ro site
Change in
JFree Energy of Reaction
1.39633*
4.46643
3.38892
8.16354
0.32146
23.58091
2.56887
0.38030
0.32146
0.35976
0.23932
Kcal Per Equiv.
290
-------
TABLE D-58 . GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
PIT 1G
KEMMERER MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
19
8.0
0.06184324
Highwall Pit 1G
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
B
Mn
382
344
44
20
0.
5.
0.
0.
0.
.8
.1
77
55
28
4
39
Anions
Cl
S04
HC03
P04
F
19.0
2,025
146.7
0.98
0.2
0.70
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 0.98681*
Dolomite 2.25988
Fe(OH)3 4.61458
Gibbsite 0.00891
Goethite 9.79258
Kaolinite 2.11976
Birnessite 11.44777
Manganite 7.74572
Gypsum -0.01959
* Kcal Per Equiv.
291
-------
TABLE D-59. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
POND 1
WYODAK MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M'
Surface;
26
7.4
0.05071813
Holding Pond, North Pit
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
Mn
295
164
276
25
4.51
0.15
0.07
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
19
1,390
545.1
0.43
0.5
SiO2
11.3
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Gibbsite
Kaolinite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.04583*
2.18231
0.02835
5.23041
0.36859
7.93005
5.01075
-0.28498
* Kcal Per Equiv.
292
-------
TABLE D-60. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
HIGHWALL
WYODAK MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
21
7.4
0.06845261
Highwall Pit Fed by Donkey Creek
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Fe
Sr
Al
Mn
425
249
338
17.9
0.42
5.21
0.06
1.0
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
263
1,701
563.7
3.37
0.76
Si02
14.5
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Fe(OH)3
Goethite
Hematite
Kaolinite
Quartz
Birnessite
Manganite
Rhodochrosite
Hydroxyapatite
Chalcedony
Gibbsite
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1,
2.
4.
4.
27.
5,
0.
9.
6.
0,
5.
-0.
-0.
10904*
27844
50618
81897
14406
14682
61584
83249
47736
14216
48098
05445
22137
-0.005910
* Kcal Per Equiv.
293
-------
TABLE D-61 . GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
DONKEY CREEK
WYQDAK MINE, WYOMING
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
29.0
8.2
0.06386426
Upstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
Mn
250
294
366
20.1
4.02
0.13
0.20
0.35
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCOtj
P04
F
203
1,714
492.9
12.0
1.63
SiO,
18.0
Mineral
Calcite
Dolomite
Hydroxyapatite
Kaolinite
Quartz
Sepiolite
Birnessite
Manganite
Rhodochrosite
Chalcedony
Gypsum
Change in
Free Energy of Reaction
1.92933*
4.43266
11.34570
2.90549
0.57623
2.38001
10.70934
8.04570
0.53323
-0.06865
-0.38653
* Kcal Per Equiv.
294
-------
TABLE D-62. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
SPRING
COLS TRIP MINE, MONTANA
Temperature, °C: 21
pH: 7.8
M: 0.02111439
Surface; Upstream of Mine
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations Anions
Ca 119 Cl 5.0
Mg .92.5 S04 397
Na 21.1 HCO3 401
K 8.12 PO4 0.37
Sr 2.01 F 0.76
Al 0.08
SiO2 24.5
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 1.02326*
Chalcedony 0.23113
Dolomite 2.25521
Kaolinite 5.14633
Quartz 0.91143
Gibbsite -0.51696
Silica Gel -0.44228
* Kcal Per Equiv.
295
-------
TABLE D-63. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
SWIMMING HOLE
COLSTRIP MINE. MONTANA
Temperature, "C;
pH:
M:
Surface;
25
7.6
0.9860988
In Area E Spoils
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
Mn
319
696
151
18.2
5.25
0.11
0.40
0.05
Anions
Cl
SQ4
HCO3
P04
SiO2
18.0
3,769
175.1
0.37
0.8
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 0.40595*
Dolomite 1.71858
Kaolinite 1.22978
Gibbsite -0.42171
Gypsum -0.02737
* Kcal Per Equiv.
296
-------
TABLE D-64 . GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
D-l
COLSTRIP MINE, MONTANA
Temperature, °C:
pH:
M:
Surface:
22
7.6
0.0813269
Area D Pit
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
283
578
11.4
18.4
6.5
0.04
0.6
Anions
Cl
S04
HCO3
P04
Si02
9.0
3,015
250. 1
7.76
1.0
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 0.055121*
Dolomite 1.92089
Kaolinite 0.81895
Gypsum -0.11955
* Kcal Per Equiv.
297
-------
TABLE D-65. GEOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS
D-2
CQLSTRIP MINE, MONTANA
Temperature, °C: 24
pH: 8.7
p: 0.1242215
Surface: Area D Pit
Input to WATEQ
(ppm)
Cations
Ca
Mg
Na
K
Sr
Al
B
265
864
219
45.9
5.51
0.1
1.6
Anions
Cl
SO4
HCO3
P04
F
Si02
22
5,043
549.1
0.35
0.05
5.0
Change in
Mineral Free Energy of Reaction
Calcite 2.16425*
Dolomite 5.46618
Kaolinite 0.32601
Chalcedony -0.76717
Gypsum -0.08842
Quartz -0.10641
* Kcal Per Equiv.
298
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/7-78-156
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
"OVERBURDEN MINERALOGY AS RELATED TO GROUND-
WATER CHEMICAL CHANGES IN COAL STRIP MINING"
5. REPORT DATE
August 1978 issuing date
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Arthur Hounslow and Joan Fitzpatrick, C9lorado
School of Mines Research Institute; Lawrence Cerrillo
and Michael Freeland. Engineering Enterprises. Inc.
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Colorado School of Mines Research Institute
Post Office Box 112
Golden, Colorado 80401
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1NE625B
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
Grant No. R-804162
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Lab. - Ada, OK
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ada, Oklahoma 74820
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final (Dpr. 1Q75 - Dec. 1977)
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/15
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
A research program was initiated to define and develop an inclusive,
effective, and economical method for predicting potential ground-water
quality changes resulting from the strip mining of coal in the Western
United States.
To utilize the predictive method, it is necessary to sample the over-
burden, determine its mineralogical content, and, where applicable, to
determine the quality of the ground water that may saturate the spoils.
Techniques were developed for interpreting the data required to predict
future ground-water quality changes. With additional research, the pre-
dictive method may also be found applicable to other types of mining
operations.
Relationships among and between rock and water variables were
established using factor analysis. This analysis, coupled with thermo-
dynamic calculations, provided rational explanations of the facts
observed in the study of existing mines.
7.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COS AT I Field/Group
Coal mining, Surface mining, Strip
mining, Geology and Mineralogy
Western United States,
Ground water degradation
48F
3. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to Public.
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
319
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
299
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978-757-140/1437 Region No. 5-11
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