The Kepler Property lies in the Central Appalachian Coal basin in the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province.
The coal deposits on the Property are Carboniferous in age, being of the Pennsylvanian system. Seams and zones of economic significance typically range between 24 and 48 inches in thickness, with relatively little structural deformation. Regional structure is typically characterized by gently dipping strata to the northwest at 1.0 to 4.0 percent, averaging 3.0 percent.
Strata on the Property are of the Pennsylvanian-age New River and Pocahontas Formations of the Pottsville Series. The rock formations between the coal seams are characterized by large proportions of sandstone interspersed with shale units.
Seams mined or with remaining reserve or resource potential include, in stratigraphically ascending order the: Pocahontas 3, and 6 (in the Pocahontas Formation); and the Beckley and Sewell (in the New River Formation).
Mineralization
The generalized stratigraphic columnar section demonstrates the vertical relationship of the principal coal seams and rock formations on the Property.
Deposits
The coal produced at the Kepler complex is mainly a low-volatile, typically under 21 percent volatile matter bituminous coal. Some coal exhibits localized higher volatile zones of approximately 23 percent.
Due to the high value of these low-volatile coking coals, all of the seams have been extensively m ........
