Chapter PC

COLSTRIP COALFIELD, POWDER RIVER BASIN,

MONTANA: GEOLOGY, COAL QUALITY, AND COAL

RESOURCES

By S.B. Roberts,1 E.M. Wilde,2 G.S. Rossi,1 Dorsey Blake,1 L.R. Bader,1

M.S. Ellis,1 G.D. Stricker,1 G. L. Gunther,3 A.M. Ochs,3 S. A. Kinney,1

J.H. Schuenemeyer,1 and H. C. Power4

in U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1625-A

1

U.S. Geological Survey

2

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Butte, Montana

3

Consultant, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado

4

University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
PC-ii

Contents

Introduction...........................................................................................................................PC-1

Geologic Overview and Coal Stratigraphy....................................................................PC-3

Coal Quality..........................................................................................................................PC-7

Total, Net Coal Thickness (Isopach) Map .....................................................................PC-8

Overburden Thickness (Isopach) Map.........................................................................PC-10

Coal Resources...................................................................................................................PC-11

Sources of Data..................................................................................................................PC-14

Drill-hole Data..............................................................................................................PC-14

Geologic Map Data .....................................................................................................PC-15

Geographic Boundary Data.......................................................................................PC-16

Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................PC-17

References Cited.................................................................................................................PC-18

Figures

PC-1. Index map showing the Colstrip coalfield and vicinity, south-central 

 Montana.

PC-2. Stratigraphic columns showing generalized stratigraphy and coal-bed 

 terminology in the Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

PC-3. Index map showing 7.5’ and 30’x 60’ quadrangle maps in the Colstrip 

 coalfield and vicinity, south-central Montana.

PC-4. Map showing Federal coal ownership, Colstrip coalfield and vicinity, south-

 central Montana.

PC-5. Generalized bedrock geologic map of the Colstrip coalfield area, south-

 central Montana.
PC-iii

Figures—continued

PC-6. Index map showing cross section locations, Colstrip coalfield, south-central 

 Montana.

PC-7. West-east cross section A-A’, Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

PC-8. West-east cross section B-B’, Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

PC-9. Southwest-northeast cross section C-C’, Colstrip coalfield, south-central 

 Montana.

PC-10. Southwest-northeast cross section D-D’, Colstrip coalfield, south-central 

 Montana.

PC-11. Total, net coal thickness (isopach) map of the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone,

 Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

PC-12. Map showing the estimated overburden thickness above the base of the 

 Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

Tables

PC-1. Total, net coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone in the Colstrip 

 coalfield, Montana, reported by county, overburden thickness, net coal 

 thickness, and reliability categories

PC-2. Total, net coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone reported for 7.5’

 quadrangles in the Colstrip coalfield, Montana

PC-3. Total, net coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, Colstrip 

 coalfield, Montana, reported by county and Federal coal and surface 

 ownership
PC-iv

Tables—continued

PC-4. Computations of confidence intervals within reliability categories for 

 estimated total coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone in the 

 Colstrip coalfield, Montana

PC-5. Volumes and estimates of uncertainty for estimated total coal resources in 

 the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, Colstrip coalfield, Montana, with 

 measurement error
PC-1

INTRODUCTION

The Colstrip coalfield incorporates an area of some 395 square mi in parts of Big

Horn, Rosebud, and Treasure Counties in south-central Montana (fig. PC-1). The

coalfield is named for the town of Colstrip, which is adjacent to the Rosebud coal

mine in the northeastern part of the field. Access through the coalfield area is limited

to State Highways 315 and 384 and an associated network of improved and

unimproved gravel roads. Numerous, relatively small perennial or intermittent

streams transect the coalfield. Major drainages include Sarpy Creek and Rosebud

Creek (fig. PC-1).

In the Colstrip coalfield, the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone has been designated as a

priority coal assessment unit within the framework of the National Coal Resource

Assessment (NCRA) project of the U.S. Geological Survey. The coal zone includes

three primary coal beds (descending order): the Rosebud, McKay, and Robinson

coal beds (fig. PC-2). The coalfield extent is defined by both geologic and

geographic parameters. The western and northwestern boundary is delimited by the

outcrop or burn line (clinker contact) of the Robinson coal bed, whereas the northern

and eastern limits of the field are defined by the outcrop or burn line (clinker contact)

of the Rosebud coal bed (fig. PC-1). Ideally, the Robinson coal bed, which is the

stratigraphically lowest coal bed in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, would best

delineate the maximum geologic extent of the coalfield as we define it. However, the

absence of published geologic maps accurately depicting the continuity and position

of the Robinson bed in the central and eastern parts of the coalfield necessitated our

use of the stratigraphically higher Rosebud coal-bed horizon as the boundary for the

coalfield in these areas. This horizon is well established in published maps of

Matson and Blumer (1973) and Derkey (1986). The southern and southwestern
PC-2

boundaries of the coalfield are defined by the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian

Reservation boundaries, respectively (fig. PC-1).

The Colstrip coalfield is mostly within the Lame Deer 30’ x 60’ quadrangle with

some extension into the eastern part of the Hardin 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, and the

field includes all or parts of nineteen 7.5’ quadrangles (fig. PC-3). The coalfield is

roughly equivalent to the southern half of the Forsyth coalfield as defined by Dobbin

(1929), and includes all of the Colstrip coal deposit of Matson and Blumer (1973).

Federally owned coal is interspersed with privately owned coal sections throughout

most of the coalfield (fig. PC-4).

Coal mining has been on-going in the Colstrip area since the early 1900’s (see, for

example, Dobbin, 1929), and currently three surface (strip) mines, the Rosebud, Big

Sky, and Absaloka (Sarpy Creek) coal mines, are producing coal in this area (fig.

PC-1). Production is from the Rosebud coal bed in the Rosebud and Big Sky mines,

although some historic production of the McKay bed also took place in the Big Sky

mine. The Absaloka mine produces coal from the Robinson bed and the RosebudMcKay coal bed, which comprises a single bed at this location. From 1989 through

the early part of 1998, these three mines produced a combined 180+ million short

tons of coal from the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone (Resource Data International,

Inc., 1998); the majority of this total (about 60 percent) reflects production of the

Rosebud coal bed in the Rosebud mine alone. Some of the produced coal from the

Rosebud bed in the Rosebud mine feeds two 350 megawatt power plants adjacent to

the town of Colstrip.
PC-3

GEOLOGIC OVERVIEW AND COAL STRATIGRAPHY

The Fort Union Formation (Paleocene) is the predominant bedrock unit in the area

of Colstrip, and the uppermost member of this formation, the Tongue River

Member, outcrops throughout the Colstrip coalfield (fig. PC-5). Older rocks in the

underlying Lebo Member and the basal Tullock Member of the Fort Union

Formation are exposed in areas just north and west of the coalfield, and deposits of

the Hell Formation Creek (Upper Cretaceous) are present to the west of the

Absaloka mine in T. 1 N., R. 36 E. In the coalfield, the thickness of the Tongue

River Member reaches a maximum of some 1,686 ft (Dobbin, 1929), although in

western areas of the coalfield near the Absaloka mine (Sarpy Creek area; fig. PC-1),

only about 750 ft of the Tongue River Member is preserved. In this same area, the

Lebo Member ranges from 75 to 125 ft in thickness, and the Tullock Member

attains a thickness of about 300 ft (Tudor, 1975).

Rocks of the Tongue River Member are composed primarily of shale, sandy shale,

sandstone and coal beds ranging in thickness from 3 to about 30 ft (Dobbin, 1929;

Chadwick and others, 1975). The underlying Lebo Member is composed mainly of

dark claystone and mudstone, and this member forms badlands in western parts of

the coalfield; the base of the Lebo Member is defined by the Big Dirty coal bed

(Dobbin, 1929). The Tullock Member, the lowermost member of the Fort Union

Formation, consists predominantly of interbedded sandstone (calcareous), gray

sandy shale, siltstone and carbonaceous shale.

In general, Fort Union Formation strata dip very gently (less than a few degrees) in

easterly and southerly orientations from west to east across the coalfield,

respectively. Locally, however, dips are steepened by high-angle normal faults that
PC-4

are present throughout much of the Colstrip area (fig. PC-5). The faults in western

areas of the coalfield range from 0.5 to 3 mi in mapped length, with displacements

of as much as 140 ft in some cases (Robinson and Van Gosen, 1986). In the central

and eastern parts of the coalfield, faults exceeding 6 mi in mapped length are present

(Derkey, 1986). In most cases, fault displacement is slight (Matson and Blumer,

1973), although displacement in excess of 100 ft, based on drill-hole information

used in this study, is evident in central areas of the coalfield. Our depiction of fault

locations and orientations in this study is based on Robinson and Van Gosen

(1986), and Derkey (1986). Alternative interpretations can be found in Matson and

Blumer (1973).

Clinker, formed from the natural burning of coal beds, is a prominent feature of the

coalfield (fig. PC-5). In places where the Rosebud and McKay beds have merged to

a single bed, clinker deposits may attain a thickness of as much as 120 ft (Tudor,

1975).

The major coal beds in the Colstrip coalfield are present within the Tongue River

Member of the Fort Union Formation (fig. PC-2). Minor coal is present in the

lowermost Tullock Member, and one coal bed (the Big Dirty bed) at the base of the

Lebo Member is from 3 to 13 ft in thickness. The Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, the

priority assessment unit in the coalfield, is in the lower part of the Tongue River

Member. As mentioned previously, the coal zone comprises three main coal beds:

the lowermost Robinson coal bed, the base of which constitutes the base of the coal

zone, the overlying McKay bed, and the uppermost Rosebud coal bed, the top of

which defines the top of the coal zone. These coal bed names are consistent with

terminology of Dobbin (1929) and nomenclature adhered to in subsequent studies

of Matson and Blumer (1973), Tudor (1975), Robinson and Van Gosen (1986) and
PC-5

Derkey (1986). An additional coal bed, named the Stocker Creek coal bed (Dobbin,

1929; fig. PC-2), is present stratigraphically above the Robinson coal bed in areas

just north of the coalfield boundary. Because we could not positively identify an

equivalent coal bed to the Stocker Creek bed within the assessment area boundaries,

we do not apply this terminology to the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone as defined in

this report. In the Absaloka mine area, the Rosebud and McKay beds merge to form

a single coal bed (Tudor, 1975; Robinson and Van Gosen, 1986). Each of these

main coal beds split in certain areas of the coalfield; where the Robinson coal bed

splits, the base of the lower split delimits the base of the coal zone. Where the

Rosebud coal bed splits, the top of the upper split defines the top of the coal zone.

Local thin and non-persistent coal beds are present within the zone in some parts of

the coalfield, and the number of coal beds within the Rosebud-Robinson zone varies

from one at points along the Robinson coal bed outcrop west of the Absaloka mine

to as many as five in the SW 1/4 of T. 2 N., R. 39 E. The maximum thickness of

the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone in the Colstrip coalfield is estimated to be about

365 ft.

Lines of cross section (fig. PC-6) depicting our coal-bed correlations in the coalfield

are shown in figures PC-7 through PC-10. These cross sections are based on

interpretations of geophysical logs and drill cuttings descriptions from coal

exploration projects conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, Amax Coal

Company, Westmoreland Resources, Inc. (see, for example, Robinson and Van

Gosen, 1986), and the Western Energy Company. Most of the cross sections

traverse faulted areas, and an interpretation of fault displacement is shown where

applicable. In some areas, where the distance between control points (drill holes) is

significant, the estimated displacement along the faults is highly inferred. Fault

location and offset orientation is based mainly on Robinson and Van Gosen (1986)
PC-6

and Derkey (1986), although some inferred faults are based on our observations of

the stratigraphic offset of correlative coal beds between drill holes along the lines of

section.

The Robinson coal bed is estimated to be about 150-225 ft above the base of the

Tongue River Member (Dobbin, 1929). This coal bed ranges from 14-23 ft in

thickness (Dobbin, 1929) with its greater thickness attained in the Absaloka mine

area. In this same area, west of the mine, the coal bed splits into a generally thin

upper bench (2-3 ft thick) and a thicker lower bench as much as 16 ft thick

(Robinson and Van Gosen, 1986). The overlying McKay coal bed is estimated in

this study to be only 40-50 ft above the Robinson coal bed in the central part of the

coalfield (T. 1 N., R. 39 E.), and may be separated from the Robinson bed by as

much as 120 ft of interburden where the Rosebud and McKay beds have merged

near the Absaloka mine (T. 1 N., Rs. 37 and 38 E.) (Tudor, 1975). In the extreme

southern and southeastern part of the coalfield, we suggest that the McKay coal bed

is not present (fig. PC-8). Where not merged with the Rosebud bed, the McKay coal

bed reaches a maximum thickness of about 17 ft in western areas of the coalfield

(see, for example, Robinson and Van Gosen, 1986), and averages about 8 ft in

thickness throughout much of the central and eastern part of the coalfield (Matson

and Blumer, 1973). The Rosebud coal bed averages about 25 ft in thickness

throughout much of the central coalfield area (Matson and Blumer, 1973), and

reaches a maximum of about 29 ft within the Rosebud coal mine (Chadwick and

others, 1975). Near the Absaloka mine (fig. PC-1), the Rosebud coal bed is as much

as 19 ft thick where not merged with the McKay coal bed (Robinson and Van

Gosen, 1986), whereas the merged Rosebud-McKay coal bed is locally as much as

35 ft thick (Tudor, 1975).
PC-7

COAL QUALITY

The apparent rank of coal in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone ranges from

subbituminous C to low-range subbituminous B (Robinson and Van Gosen, 1986).

In western coalfield areas surrounding the Absaloka mine, as-received analyses of

57 samples from the Robinson coal bed indicate an average moisture of 25.31

percent, average ash yield of 7.88 percent, average total sulfur content of 0.79

percent, and a mean heat-of-combustion value of 8,665 Btu/lb. As-received analyses

of 37 samples from the McKay coal bed indicate average values for moisture, ash

yield, total sulfur content, and heat-of-combustion are 24.34 percent, 8.83 percent,

0.89 percent, and 8,642 Btu/lb, respectively. In 28 samples of the Rosebud coal bed

in the Absaloka mine area, the average as-received values for moisture, ash yield,

total sulfur content, and heat-of-combustion were 24.22 percent, 8.24 percent, 0.65

percent, and 8,767 Btu/lb, respectively (Robinson and Van Gosen, 1986). For

comparison, the average values for ash yield, total sulfur content, and heat-ofcombustion of coal shipped from the Absaloka mine between 1989 and the first

quarter of 1998 are 8.9 percent, 0.6 percent, and 8,745 Btu/lb, respectively

(Resource Data International, Inc., 1998).

Chemical analyses (on an as-received basis) based on 16 samples of the Rosebud

coal bed from coal exploratory drill holes throughout the Colstrip coalfield indicate

moisture ranging from 20.24 percent to 23.88 percent (arithmetic mean = 22.50

percent), ash yields ranging from 7.86 percent to 12.58 percent (arithmetic mean =

9.54 percent), total sulfur content ranging from 0.53 percent to 7.20 percent

(arithmetic mean = 1.22 percent), and heat-of-combustion values ranging from

7,810 Btu/lb to 9,090 Btu/lb (arithmetic mean = 8,835 Btu/lb) (see, for example,

Matson and Blumer, 1973). In a study of total sulfur content in the Rosebud and
PC-8

McKay coal beds in the Rosebud mine area, Chadwick and others (1975) indicate

that sulfur concentrations exceeding 1.2 percent are present in discreet areas within

the coal mine, and these higher sulfur concentrations are typically associated with

pyrite occurrences in the lower and upper 1 ft or so of the Rosebud and McKay coal

beds. Although total sulfur content in the Rosebud coal bed can be quite high in

areas of these pyritic concentrations, selective mining that excludes recovery of the

higher sulfur uppermost and lowermost intervals of the Rosebud bed has mitigated

the sulfur issue to a certain degree. This is perhaps reflected in the 0.67 percent

average total sulfur content for produced coal from the Rosebud bed shipped

between 1989 and the first quarter of 1998 (Resource Data International, Inc., 1998).

Additionally, Rosebud coal bed product shipped from the Rosebud mine during this

same time had an average ash yield of 8.4 percent, and an average heat-ofcombustion of 8,637 Btu/lb. Coal shipped from the Big Sky mine (primarily the

Rosebud bed) from 1989 to early 1998 had an average total sulfur content of 0.69

percent, average ash yield of 8.7 percent, and an average heat-of-combustion of

8,781 Btu/lb (Resource Data International, Inc., 1998).

TOTAL, NET COAL THICKNESS (ISOPACH) MAP

The total, net coal isopach map (fig. PC-11) is an interpretation of total (cumulative),

net coal thickness for coal beds within the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone in the

Colstrip coalfield. At each drill-hole or outcrop data point, net coal thickness

(excluding partings) is measured for each coal bed within the zone, and then these

individual coal thicknesses are summed to derive a cumulative value of total net coal

within the coal zone at that data point. These total coal thickness values for all data

points are then contoured by a computer modeling program to develop maps

showing lines of equal coal thickness. It is important to bear in mind, however, that
PC-9

the isopach map reflects the distribution of the cumulative (summed) coal thickness

for all coal beds within the Rosebud-Robinson zone rather than the thickness of any

individual coal bed except in areas stratigraphically below the McKay (or RosebudMcKay) coal bed where thickness values reflect the thickness of the Robinson (or

lower Robinson) coal bed alone.

About 300 drill-hole and outcrop data points were used to develop the total coal

isopach map. Only the public data points are shown (fig. PC-11), and proprietary

data from mine operators and the Cheyenne and Crow Tribes that were also used in

the calculations are omitted. Based on all of these data, the total, net coal in the

Rosebud-Robinson coal zone ranges in thickness from 2.6 ft (outcrop of the lower

Robinson bed) to about 60 ft. Because of the paucity of data in central and southern

parts of the coalfield (for example, T. 1 N., R. 39 E., and T. 1 S., Rs. 40 and 41 E.;

fig. PC-11), we consider our interpretations ot total, net coal thickness to be

somewhat speculative in these areas.

Because the isopach map for the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone is based on

cumulative coal thickness values, the following factors, either individually or

collectively, can account for variations in the total, net coal thickness as seen on the

map: (1) thickening or thinning of individual coal beds within the zone, (2) reduction

in the number of coal beds because of lateral pinchout, (3) reduction in the number

of coal beds in stratigraphically lower horizons nearing the outcrop limits of the coal

zone, and (4) reduction of the total coal in clinker areas where coal has been lost

because of natural burning. Therefore, thickness variations exhibited by apparent

“thinning or thickening” trends in the total coal isopach map actually reflect

variations in the total coal accumulation influenced by some or all of the factors

listed above.
PC-10

Areas of thicker coal accumulation are shown by warmer (yellow) color shades,

whereas minimal coal accumulation areas are highlighted by cool (blue) shades.

Based on the total, net coal isopach map (fig. PC-11), thicker total coal

accumulations are present in T. 1 N., Rs. 38 and 39 E., and in isolated areas west of

the Absaloka mine in T. 1 N., Rs. 36 and 37 E. Total coal accumulation apparently

decreases markedly in southern and southeastern areas of the coalfield, although data

scarcity deems we tread lightly on this interpretation.

OVERBURDEN THICKNESS (ISOPACH) MAP

The overburden isopach map (fig. PC-12) is an interpretation of the varying

thickness of rock that overlies the base of the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone within

the Colstrip coalfield, and for this reason, defines the maximum overburden for the

coal zone. The overburden in this case also includes all coal beds and interburden in

the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone. Based on drill-hole and outcrop data used in this

study, the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone ranges in thickness from 3.6 ft where the

coal zone comprises outcrops of the lower Robinson coal bed alone, to a maximum

of about 365 ft where the entire coal zone is present. Consequently, the minimum

overburden (that is, the thickness of rock overlying the top of the RosebudRobinson coal zone) can vary from the maximum overburden by as much as 365 ft.

Use of maximum overburden criteria in this study follows analogous methodology

used in coal resource studies in the Colorado Plateau region of Colorado and Utah

(see, for example, Hettinger and others, 1996; Brownfield and others, 1998). These

interpretations of overburden are derived by subtracting a computer-generated grid

of values representing the bottom surface (elevation) of the Rosebud-Robinson coal

zone (base of the Robinson or lower Robinson coal bed) from a Digital Elevation
PC-11

Model (DEM) grid of topographic elevation, resulting in a calculated grid of

thickness values that can be contoured.

Areas of thicker overburden (fig. PC-12) are represented by shades of green and

yellow, while areas of less overburden are highlighted by shades of blue.

Comparison of the total coal isopach map and the overburden thickness map

indicates that areas of thickest cumulative coal in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone

are coincident (in part) with areas of maximum overburden thickness ranging from

less than 100 ft to more than 1,000 ft.

COAL RESOURCES

Coal resource estimates for the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone are reported in tables

PC-1 through PC-3. In table PC-1, resources are tabulated by county, net coal

thickness categories, and overburden categories. Table PC-2 includes a summary of

coal resources reported by 7.5’ quadrangle, and table PC-3 includes a summary of

coal resources reported by county and Federal surface and subsurface ownership

criteria. It is important to note that these resource estimates are not comparable to

‘reserve’ estimates, and therefore, do not reflect in any way the amount of coal that

can be economically produced at the present time.

The quantification of coal resources in the Colstrip coalfield follows a scheme of

resource calculation reported in Wood and others (1983). The basic quantification

formula is as follows: R = A x T x C,

where

R is the coal resource estimate (in short tons)

A is the area underlain by coal (in acres)
PC-12

T is the cumulative (total) net coal thickness (in feet; excluding partings) based

on isopach grids, and

C is a weight/unit volume (density) conversion factor (in short tons/acre-foot).

All resources are reported in millions of short tons and are reported in accordance

with criteria established by Wood and others (1983). Coal tonnages were calculated

for coal beds greater than 2.5 ft in thickness using an average density (C) for

subbituminous coal of 1,770 short tons per acre-foot. Tonnage values are rounded to

two significant figures and the tabulated totals may not equal the sum of the

components because of independent rounding. Areas for which resource estimates

are not reported include the Rosebud, Big Sky, and Absaloka coal mines, tribal

lands (including parts of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations),

and areas underlying clinker of the Rosebud, McKay, and Rosebud-McKay coal

beds.

Reported reliability categories (table PC-1) include measured, indicated, inferred,

and hypothetical coal resources. Measured resources occur within a 0.25-mile radius

of a data point, indicated resources within the area between 0.25 miles and 0.75

miles from a data point, and inferred resources are present within a radius from 0.75

miles to 3 miles surrounding a data point. Hypothetical resources are present in

areas more than 3 miles beyond a data point (Wood and others, 1983).

Overburden categories (table PC-1) represent the thickness of overburden above the

base of the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone. Therefore, the overburden in this case

represents a maximum overburden estimate, and the overburden includes all coal

beds and interburden in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone as well as rocks overlying

the coal zone.
PC-13

Confidence limits and estimates of uncertainty for total coal resources in the

Rosebud-Robinson coal zone are shown in table PC-4 and table PC-5, respectively.

A confidence interval is a statistic designed to capture uncertainty associated with a

point estimate. Confidence limits reported here are based on total, net coal thickness

measurements from 160 drill-hole and outcrop locations. From these data, we

computed 90-percent confidence intervals on the volume of coal in the RosebudRobinson coal zone in the measured, indicated, inferred, and hypothetical categories.

In this case, volume refers to the calculated resource in millions of short tons

(MST).

The confidence limits were derived through a complex series of steps. These steps

included modeling coal thickness trends and removing the trends using a

nonparametric regression algorithm called loess (with span = 0.75), and using

residual thickness to compute a semivariogram and fitting the semivariogram to a

spherical model. Parameter estimates were sill = 118.64 ft2, nugget = 55.52 ft2, and

range = 2.63 miles. Standard deviations of coal thickness were obtained from the

semivariogram model. Differences in point densities were compensated for by

calculating sample size, called pseudo n, within each reliability category and

calculating the variability of volume for each of the reliability categories. The volume

of coal in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone was then calculated at a 90-percent

confidence interval with measurement error. A description of the methodology used

is given in Schuenemeyer and Power (1998) and Ellis and others (1999).

The three main potential sources of error that might bias the confidence intervals are

preferential sampling, measurement errors, and model fitting. The probabilistic

interpretation of a confidence interval is based upon a random sample, which does
PC-14

not exist in this situation, because there is preferential sampling in those areas

deemed to be minable. Measurement error can be caused by an error in recording

the coal-bed thickness or in the definition of coverage areas. Modeling fitting

variability and bias result from the choice of models and fitting procedures.

SOURCES OF DATA

DRILL-HOLE DATA

The following drilling reports contain much of the drill hole information used in this

study, although additional point data was collated from the U.S. Geological Survey

National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS), unpublished field logs, and from

a limited set of proprietary records.

U.S. Geological Survey and Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, 1977,

Geophysical logs for Dawson, McCone, Richland, and Rosebud Counties,

Montana; Chapter F of Preliminary report of 1977 coal drilling in eastern

Montana and northeastern Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey Open File

Report 77-721-F, 74 p.

_____ 1982, Coal drilling during 1980 in Big Horn, Dawson, McCone, Powder

River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, and Treasure Counties, Montana: U.S.

Geological Survey Open-File Report 82-026, 256 p.
PC-15

GEOLOGIC MAP DATA

Derkey, P.D., 1986, Coal stratigraphy of the Lame Deer 30 x 60 Minute

Quadrangle, southeastern Montana: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

Geologic Map GM-43, scale 1:100,000.

Lewis, B.D., and Roberts, R.S., 1978, Geology and water-yielding characteristics of

rocks of the northern Powder River Basin, southeastern Montana: U.S.

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Map I-847-D, scale

1:250,000.

Matson, R.E., and Blumer, J.W., 1973, Quality and reserves of strippable coal,

selected deposits, southeastern Montana: Montana Bureau of Mines and

Geology Bulletin 91, 135 pages with plates.

Robinson, L.N., and Van Gosen, B.S., 1985, Maps showing geology and coal

resources of the northeastern part of the Crow Indian Reservation, Big Horn

County, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map

MF-1796, scale 1:24,000.

Robinson, L.N., and Van Gosen, B.S., 1986, Maps showing the coal geology of the

Sarpy Creek area, Big Horn and Treasure Counties, Montana: U.S.

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1859, scale

1:24,000.
PC-16

GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARY DATA

Federal lands and mineral status from:

Biewick, L.R.H., Urbanowski, S.R., Cain, Sheila, and Neasloney, Larry, 1998,

Land status and Federal Mineral ownership in the Powder River Basin,

Wyoming and Montana: a digital data set for geographic information

systems: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 98-108, coverage scale

1:100,000.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 1980, Surface and mineral management status

map, Lame Deer 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, Montana, scale 1:100,000.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 1981, Surface and mineral management status

map, Hardin 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, Montana, scale 1:100,000.

State and County boundary data from U.S. Geological Survey National Mapping

Division and based on 1990 TIGER files digitally compiled by the Water Resources

Division of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Digital coverages of 1:100,000- and 1:24,000-scale quadrangle map index acquired

from National Mapping Division, U.S. Geological Survey.

Public Land Survey System (PLSS) data from Montana Natural Resource

Information System (NRIS), Montana State Library, scale 1:100,000.

Digital hydrologic coverage from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Reach

File Version 3, scale 1:100,000.
PC-17

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge Mr. Mike Shea (Western Energy Company) for

his assistance and cooperation with regard to this study. We also acknowledge the

diligent and exhaustive efforts of W.C. Culbertson (Emeritus, USGS) in his past

field studies and compilation of pertinent stratigraphic and geologic information that

was critical to the completion of this study. His foundation of published and

unpublished work facilitated our study in many ways. We also thank Laura Roberts

for her expertise in resource calculation methodology, Laura Biewick, and Shane

Urbanowski their diligence in creating accurate and available digital coverages of

Federal Lands and Minerals ownership status, David Ferderer for locating,

obtaining, and formatting public domain files of road and drainage networks in

Montana, Gerald Sullivan for his GIS coverage development in the initial stages of

the project, and Jim Hunsicker for his compilation of coal quality information. This

report also benefited greatly from the thoughtful comments and reviews of Mitch

Henry (USGS, Denver, CO), Tim Rohrbacher (USGS, Denver, CO), Craig

Brunstein (USGS, Denver, CO), and Katherine Varnes (USGS, Denver, CO).
PC-18

REFERENCES CITED

Brownfield, M.E., Roberts, L.N.R., Johnson, E.A., and Mercier, T.J., 1998,

Assessment of the distribution and resources of coal in the Deserado coal

area, Lower White River coal field, northern Piceance basin, Colorado: U.S.

Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-352, 28 p.

Chadwick, R.A., Rice, R.C., Bennett, C.M., and Woodriff, R.A., 1975, Sulfur and

trace elements in the Rosebud and McKay coal seams, Colstrip field,

Montana, in Doroshenko, J., Miller, W.R., Thompson, Jr., E.E., and

Rawlins, J.H., eds., Energy Resources of Montana: Montana Geological

Society 22nd Annual Publication, p. 167-176.

Dobbin, C.E., 1929, The Forsyth coal field, Rosebud, Treasure, and Big Horn

Counties, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 812, p. 1-55.

Ellis, M.S., Gunther, G.L., Flores, R.M., Ochs, A.M., Stricker, G.D., Roberts,

S.B., Taber, T.T., Bader, L.R., and Schuenemeyer, J.H., 1999, Preliminary

report on coal resources of the Wyodak-Anderson coal zone, Powder River

Basin, Wyoming and Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report

98-789A, 49 p.

Hettinger, R.D., Roberts, L.N.R., Biewick, L.R.H., and Kirschbaum, M.A., 1996,

Preliminary investigations of the distribution and resources of coal in the

Kaiparowits Plateau, southern Utah: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File

Report 96-539, 72 p.
PC-19

Matson, R.E., and Blumer, J.W., 1973, Quality and reserves of strippable coal,

selected deposits, southeastern Montana: Montana Bureau of Mines and

Geology Bulletin 91, 135 p.

Resource Data International, Inc., 1998, Coaldat: coal database, 1320 Pearl Street,

Suite 300, Boulder, Colorado, 80302.

Robinson, L.N., and Van Gosen, B.S., 1986, Maps showing the coal geology of the

Sarpy Creek area, Big Horn and Treasure Counties, Montana: U.S.

Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1859, scale

1:24,000.

Schuenemeyer, J.H., and Power, H., 1998, An uncertainty estimation procedure for

U.S. coal resources, [abs], in Pittsburgh Coal Conference, 15th Annual

Meeting, Abstracts with Programs (CD-ROM publication), 13 p.

Tudor, M.S., 1975, Geologic exploration and development of coal in the Sarpy

Creek area, Big Horn County, Montana, in Doroshenko, J., Miller, W.R.,

Thompson, Jr., E.E., and Rawlins, J.H., eds., Energy Resources of Montana:

Montana Geological Society 22nd Annual Publication, p. 159-164.

Wood, G.H., Jr., Kehn, T.M., Carter, M.D., and Culbertson, W.C., 1983, Coal

Resource Classification System of the U.S. Geological Survey: U.S.

Geological Survey Circular 891, 65 p.
Coal mine area Colstrip coal field—

Indian Reservation/Tribal lands

County line

State Highway

Secondary or unimproved road Perennial or intermittent stream

Explanation

39

384

384

Resource assessment area for the

Rosebud-Robinson coal zone

Big Horn

County

Rosebud

County

Treasure

County

T.2N.

T.3N.

T.1N.

T.1S.

T.2S.

R.37E. R.38E. R.39E. R.40E. R.41E. R.42E. R.43E.

106° 30'

106° 45' 107° 15' 107° 00'

46° 00'

45° 45'

Colstrip

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Mapped limit of

Rosebud coal bed

(Derkey, 1986)

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Colstrip coalfield

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (part)

Crow Indian Reservation (part)

0 3 6 Miles

Absaloka

mine

Big Sky

mine

North

Rosebud

mine

Montana

Study Area

Figure PC-1. Index map showing the Colstrip coalfield and vicinity, south-central Montana.

To Hardin

To Lame Deer

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Rosebud Creek

Sarpy Creek
Crum

Porcupine

Walborn

Hammond

Stray

Stray

L

L

L

L

L

Rosebud-McKay

Rosebud Rosebud

McKay

Robinson

McKay

Robinson

Stocker Creek*

Richard

Sawyer

Proctor

Popham

Lee

Burley

Tertiary (part)

Fort Union Formation (part)

Tongue River Member (part)

Lebo Member (part)

Western Colstrip

coalfield

Central and eastern Colstrip

coalfield

Coal beds

Coal beds

(Absaloka coal mine area)

(Rosebud and Big Sky coal mine areas)

Figure PC-2. Stratigraphic columns showing generalized coal stratigraphy 

and coal-bed terminology in the Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana. 

Coal bed names based on Robinson and Van Gosen (1985) and Dobbin 

(1929). Diagram not to scale.

Rosebud-Robinson coal zone

* Present in outcrops north of the coalfield boundary.

L, local coal bed
Rough Draw

Colstrip SW

Colstrip SE

Sarpy School

Chalky Point Black Spring Jimtown Badger Peak Garfield

Peak

Wolf School

Jean's Fork NW Jean's Fork NE

Iron Spring SW

Padlock

Ranch

Hammond Draw SW

Big Horn

County Rosebud

County

Treasure

County

106 106° 30' 107 ° 45' 107° 15' ° 00'

45° 45'

45° 45'

Cp

0 3 6 Miles

North

County line

Montana

Study Area

Indian Reservation/Tribal lands Colstrip coalfield

Coal mine area

Boundary between adjacent 30' x 60' quadrangles

Figure PC-3. Index map showing 7.5' and 30' x 60' quadrangle maps in the Colstrip coalfield and vicinity,

south-central Montana.

Explanation

Absaloka

mine

Rosebud

mine

mine

Big Sky

mine

Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (part)

Crow Indian Reservation (part)
Colstrip coalfield

Coal mine area

Privately owned coal

(includes State-owned coal)

Federally owned coal

Indian Reservation/Tribal Lands 

County line

Coalfield boundary

Big Horn

County

Rosebud

County

Treasure

County

T.2N.

T.3N.

T.1N.

T.1S.

T.2S.

R.37E. R.38E. R.39E. R.40E. R.41E. R.42E. R.43E.

106° 30'

106° 45' 107° 15' 107° 00'

46° 00'

45° 45'

Colstrip

Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (part)

Crow Indian Reservation (part)

0 3 6 Miles

Absaloka

mine

Big Sky

mine

North

Rosebud

mine

Rosebud

mine

Montana

Study Area

Figure PC-4. Map showing Federal coal ownership, Colstrip coalfield and vicinity, south-central Montana.

Explanation
Figure PC-5. Generalized bedrock geologic map of the Colstrip coalfield area, south-central Montana.

Tftr

U

U

U U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U U

D

D D

D

D

U

D

D

D

D

D

U

U

D

D

D

D D

D D

D

D

Fault

U, upthrown block

D, downthrown block

Identified Inferred

T.1N.

T.1S.

T.2S.

R.37E. R.38E. R.39E. R.40E. R.41E. R.42E. R.43E.

106° 30' 106° 45' 107° 15' 107° 00'

45° 45'

Tflt

Tftr

Tftr

Khc

Rosebud

mine

Big Sky

mine

0 3 6 Miles

Absaloka

mine

Coal mine area

Clinker (Rosebud, McKay, Rosebud-McKay,

and Robinson coal beds) 

Indian Reservation/Tribal lands

County line

Montana

Study Area

Bedrock geologic units

North

Fort Union Formation (Paleocene)

Tongue River Member

Lebo and Tullock Members (undifferentiated)

Hell Creek Formation (Upper Cretaceous)

Big Horn

County

Rosebud

County

Mapped limit

of Rosebud coal bed

(Derkey, 1986)

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Tflt

Tftr

Khc

Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (part)

Crow Indian Reservation (part)
Identified fault Inferred fault

Big Sky Mine

Rosebud Mine

Absaloka

Mine

5-11(B)

OCH 

15-32H 

15-4H 

4-61OCH 16-83H 4-21H 

9-3LD 

9-2LD 

9-1LD 

10-1LD 

10-100LD 10-2LD 11-32LD 11-35LD 

12-27LD 

12-25LD 

16-46H 

16-10H

16-45H

16-43H 16-44H

16-130H

16-128H 

9-18LD 9-17LD 

9-16LD 

9-20LD 

18-2LD 

10-31LD 

11-54LD 

11-51LD 

20-1LD 20-2LD 

11-49LD 

11-48LD 

11-36LD 

4-3LD 

4-2LD

WEC-1956

WEC

6064

WEC

5861

17-6LD 

9-23LD 

9-23LD 

9-21LD 

9-11LD 

9-7LD 

A

D D

D

D

U

D

D

U U

D

D

D

D D

U

U

U

U

D

D

D

U

U

U

D

U D

D

D

D

U

U

U

U

U

U

D

D

D U

U

U

A'

C'

B

D

D'

B'

C

1-24LD 

11-52LD 

4-1LD T.2N.

T.3N.

T.1N.

T.1S.

T.2S.

R.37E. R.38E. R.39E. R.40E. R.41E. R.42E. R.43E.

106° 30' 106° 45' 107° 15' 107° 00'

46° 00'

45° 45'

Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (part)

Crow Indian Reservation

(part)

North

Colstrip coalfield

Indian Reservation/Tribal Lands

Clinker (Rosebud, McKay, Rosebud-McKay,

and Robinson coal beds)

Drill hole or outcrop data point U, upthrown block

D, downthrown block Coal mine area

0 3 6 Miles

Montana

Study Area

Figure PC-6. Index map showing cross section locations, Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

Explanation

Rbn

Rbn Rbn

Rsb

Rsb

Rsb

Mck

Rbn

Rsb

Rbn

Rbn

Rsb

Rsb

Knobloch ?

Rsb

Rsb

Rbn

Rbn

Rbn

RsbMck

RsbMck

Rbn

Mck

Rsb

Mck

16-46H

El. 3660

16-10H

El. 3555

16-45H

El. 3665

16-44H

El. 3560

16-43H

El. 3560

16-130H

El. 3590

16-128H

El. 3801

9-18LD

El. 3605 9-17LD

El. 3580

9-16LD

El. 3590

9-20LD

El. 3655

18-2LD

El. 3460

10-31LD

El. 3580

11-54LD

El. 3600

11-51LD

El. 3325

11-52LD

El. 3265

20-1LD

El. 3230

20-2LD

El. 3350

Elevation (in feet) above

mean sea level

Tertiary (part)

Paleocene (part)

Fort Union Formation (part)

B B'

West East

29.9 Miles

Rock (undifferentiated)

Clinker

Rosebud-Robinson

coal zone

Rsb, Rosebud coal bed/zone

Mck, McKay coal bed/zone

Rbn, Robinson coal bed/zone

El., elevation in feet above

mean sea level

3700

3600

3500

3400

3300

3200

3100

3000

2900

2800

0.4

mi

0.9

mi

0.3

mi

0.7

mi 1.5 mi

0.7

mi 1.3 mi 1.8 mi

1.1

mi 6.7 mi 2.3 mi 5.3 mi 3.2 mi

0.8

mi

0.9

mi

1.2

mi

0.8

mi

Rbn

RsbMck

Faults

Identified Inferred

Upthrown

Downthrown block

block

Downthrown

block

Area of erosion

(location approximate)
Tertiary (part)

Paleocene (part)

Fort Union Formation (part)

Rock (undifferentiated)

Clinker (Rosebud bed)

Rosebud-Robinson

coal zone

Rsb, Rosebud coal bed/zone

Mck, McKay coal bed/zone

Rbn, Robinson coal bed/zone

El., elevation in feet above

mean sea level

Inferred

fault

Upthrown

block Downthrown

block

Rbn

Rbn

Mck

Mck

Rsb

Rsb

Rsb

Rsb

Rsb

Mck

Mck

11-51LD

El. 3325 ft

11-49LD

El. 3340 ft

11-48LD

El. 3490 ft

11-36LD

El. 3545 ft

11-35LD

El. 3615 ft

4-3LD

El. 3288 ft

WEC-5861

El. 3377 ft WEC-6064

El. 3352 ft

4-2LD

El. 3480 ft

4-1LD

El. 3470 ft

WEC-1956

El. 3435 ft

3600

3500

3400

3300

3200

3100

3000

2900

Elevation (in feet) above

mean sea level

Datum is mean sea level

?

?

?

?

C C'

Southwest Northeast

1.1 mi 1.0 mi 3.2 mi 3.3 mi 1.3 mi 0.7 mi 0.9 mi 0.6

mi

0.6

mi

0.8 mi

13.5 Miles

Area of

erosion

Area of

erosion

Rsb

Mck

Rbn

Area of

erosion

Figure PC-9. Southwest-northeast cross section C-C', Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.
Tertiary (part)

Paleocene (part)

Fort Union Formation (part)

Rock (undifferentiated)

Rosebud-Robinson

coal zone

Rsb, Rosebud coal bed/zone

Mck, McKay coal bed/zone

Rbn, Robinson coal bed/zone

El., elevation in feet above

mean sea level

3900

3800

3700

3600

3500

3400

3300

3200

Elevation (in feet) above

mean sea level

Datum is mean sea level

D D'

Southwest Northeast

1.4 mi 1.3 mi 2.2 mi 1.4 mi 1.6 mi 3.6 mi 2.0 mi

13.5 Miles

Mck

Rsb

Rsb

Mck

Rsb Mck

Mck Rbn

Rbn

17-6LD

El. 3805 ft

9-23LD

El. 3670 ft

9-21LD

El. 3630 ft

9-16LD

El. 3590 ft

9-11LD

El. 3710 ft

9-7LD

El. 3750 ft

9-2LD

El. 3750 ft

1-24LD

El. 3420 ft

Figure PC10Southwestnortheast cross section DD'Colstrip coalfieldsouthcentral Montana
2.5-10 ft

10-20 ft

20-30 ft

30-40 ft 

40-50 ft

50-60 ft (maximum = 60 ft)

Total, net coal thickness

Figure PC-11. Total, net coal thickness (isopach) map of the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

Coal mine area

Clinker (Rosebud, McKay, Rosebud-McKay,

and Robinson coal beds)

Indian Reservation/Tribal lands

County line

Drill hole or outcrop data point (public data)

Big Horn

County Rosebud

County

Treasure

County

Explanation

T.2N.

T.3N.

T.1N.

T.1S.

T.2S.

R.37E. R.38E. R.39E. R.40E. R.41E. R.42E. R.43E.

106° 30'

106° 45' 107° 15' 107° 00'

46° 00'

45° 45'

Colstrip

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Mapped limit of

Rosebud coal bed

(Derkey, 1986)

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (part)

Crow Indian Reservation (part)

0 3 6 Miles

Absaloka

mine

Big Sky

mine

North

Rosebud

mine

Rosebud

mine

Montana

Study Area
0-100 ft

100-200 ft

200-500 ft

500-1000 ft

> 1000 ft

Maximum overburden thickness (in feet)

Fault

Identified Inferred

Figure PC-12. Map showing the estimated overburden thickness above the base of the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone,

Colstrip coalfield, south-central Montana.

Big Horn

County

Rosebud

County

Treasure

County

Coal mine area

Indian Reservation/Tribal lands

County line

T.2N.

T.3N.

T.1N.

T.1S.

T.2S.

R.37E. R.38E. R.39E. R.40E. R.41E. R.42E. R.43E.

106° 30' 106° 45' 107° 15' 107° 00'

46 00

45° 45'

Colstrip

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Mapped limit of

Rosebud coal bed

(Derkey, 1986)

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Robinson coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Rosebud coal bed

outcrop/burn line

Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (part)

Crow Indian Reservation (part)

0 3 6 Miles

Absaloka

mine

Big Sky

mine

North

Rosebud

mine

Rosebud

mine

Montana

Study Area

D D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

U

U

U U

U

U

D U D

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U U

U

U

U

D, downthrown block

U, upthrown block
Table PC-1. Total, net coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone reported by county, maximum overburden, total, net coal

thickness, and reliability categories. Resources do not include coal in tribal lands, areas underlying clinker, or coal mine areas. Zeros (0)

indicate categories where no coal resources were calculated. Resources are reported in millions of short tons (MST) with two

significant figures. Columns may not sum because of independent rounding

County Maximum Total, net Reliability categories (distance from data point)

overburden

thickness

coal thickness Measured

(<1/4 mi)

Indicated

(1/4-3/4 mi)

Inferred

(3/4-3 mi)

Hypothetical

(>3 mi)

Total

(MST)

BIG HORN 0-100 ft 2.5-5 ft 1.3 2.9 0.023 0 4.1

5-10 ft 14 36 6.9 0 57

10-20 ft 11 110 91 0 210

20-40 ft 13 150 100 0 260

0-100 ft total 39 290 200 0 530

100-200 ft 2.5-5 ft 0.093 0 0 0 0.093

5-10 ft 4.4 5.7 0.32 0 10

10-20 ft 9.9 39 5.3 0 54

20-40 ft 70 310 92 0 470

100-200 ft total 85 350 97 0 540

200-500 ft 5-10 ft 0.68 0.34 0 0 1

10-20 ft 21 61 4.5 0 87

20-40 ft 250 890 110 0 1,300

200-500 ft total 270 950 120 0 1,300

500-1000 ft 5-10 ft 2.3 13 99 17 130

10-20 ft 34 200 290 0 520

20-40 ft 28 340 560 0 930

500-1000 ft total 64 560 950 17 1,600

>1000 ft 5-10 ft 0 0 9.4 0 9.4

20-40 ft 0 0 200 0 200

>1000 ft total 0 0 210 0 210

BIG HORN total 460 2,200 1,600 17 4,200
Table PC-1. Total, net coal resources, Rosebud-Robinson coal zone—continued

County Maximum Total, net Reliability categories (distance from data point)

overburden

thickness

coal thickness Measured

(<1/4 mi)

Indicated

(1/4-3/4 mi)

Inferred

(3/4-3 mi)

Hypothetical

(>3 mi)

Total

(MST)

ROSEBUD 0-100 ft 5-10 ft 2.0 3.6 0.26 0 5.8

10-20 ft 11 7.5 16 1.0 36

20-40 ft 0.056 0.23 0 0 0.29

0-100 ft total 13 11 16 1.0 42

100-200 ft 5-10 ft 3.9 2.6 25 22 54

10-20 ft 12 33 150 27 220

20-40 ft 1.1 0.46 0 0 1.6

100-200 ft total 17 36 180 49 280

200-500 ft 5-10 ft 9.4 77 320 130 540

10-20 ft 67 430 1,600 230 2,300

20-40 ft 88 410 300 0 800

200-500 ft total 160 920 2,200 360 3,600

500-1000 ft 5-10 ft 6.2 30 79 42 160

10-20 ft 22 78 950 310 1,400

20-40 ft 16 190 980 35 1,200

500-1000 ft total 44 300 2,000 380 2,700

>1000 ft 10-20 ft 0 0 39 5.8 45

20-40 ft 0 0 410 7.7 420

>1000 ft total 0 0 450 14 460

ROSEBUD Total 240 1,300 4,800 810 7,100

TREASURE 0-100 ft 5-10 ft 2.0 30 19 0 51

10-20 ft 0 5.1 1.2 0 6.4

20-40 ft 2.7 15 1.7 0 19

0-100 ft total 4.7 50 22 0 76
Table PC-1. Total, net coal resources, Rosebud-Robinson coal zone—continued

County Maximum Total, net Reliability categories (distance from data point)

overburden

thickness

coal thickness Measured

(<1/4 mi)

Indicated

(1/4-3/4 mi)

Inferred

(3/4-3 mi)

Hypothetical

(>3 mi)

Total

(MST)

TREASURE 100-200 ft 5-10 ft 13 34 9.6 0 56

10-20 ft 24 46 7.2 0 77

20-40 ft 22 88 5.6 0 120

100-200 ft total 58 170 22 0 250

200-500 ft 5-10 ft 0.36 3.6 0 0 4.0

10-20 ft 15 150 94 0 260

20-40 ft 55 210 210 0 470

200-500 ft total 70 370 300 0 740

500-1000 ft 10-20 ft 0.26 3.2 9.4 0 13

20-40 ft 0.81 7.2 210 0 210

500-1000 ft total 1.10 10 220 0 230

TREASURE total 130 600 560 0 1,300

Grand total (MST) 830 4,000 6,900 830 13,000
Table PC-2. Total, net coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson

coal zone reported by 7.5-minute quadrangle. Coal resource totals

do not include resources in tribal lands, areas underlying clinker, or

in coal mine areas. Coal resources are reported in millions of short

tons (MST) with two significant figures. Column may not sum due

to independent rounding

7.5-minute Quadrangle Total (MST)

BADGER PEAK 520

BLACK SPRING 810

CHALKY POINT 730

COLSTRIP EAST 67

COLSTRIP SE 340

COLSTRIP SW 1,000

COLSTRIP WEST 6.8

GARFIELD PEAK 200

HAMMOND DRAW SW 51

IRON SPRING 8.0

IRON SPRING SW 320

JEANS FORK NE 92

JIMTOWN 690

McCLURE CREEK 980

MINNEHAHA CREEK SOUTH 540

ROUGH DRAW 2,100

SARPY SCHOOL 3,100

TRAIL CREEK SCHOOL 40

WOLF SCHOOL 1,100

Grand total (MST) 13,000
Table PC-3. Total, net coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone reported by county and by Federal coal and

surface ownership. Coal resource totals do not include resources in tribal lands, areas underlying clinker, or in coal mine

areas. Coal resources are reported in millions of short tons (MST) with two significant figures. Column may not sum

due to independent rounding

County Federal ownership Total (MST)

BIG HORN No Federal coal or surface ownership 2,800

Federal coal, but no Federal surface ownership 1,300

Federal coal and surface ownership 97

BIG HORN total 4,200

ROSEBUD No Federal coal or surface ownership 4,000

Federal coal, but no Federal surface ownership 3,000

Federal coal and surface ownership 190

ROSEBUD total 7,100

TREASURE No Federal coal or surface ownership 910

Federal coal, but no Federal surface ownership 370

Federal coal and surface ownership 2.0

TREASURE total 1,300

Grand total (MST) 13,000
Table PC-4. Computations of confidence intervals within reliability categories for estimated total coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson

coal zone in the Colstrip coalfield, Montana. Volume refers to the calculated resource in millions of short tons (MST). NA, not applicable

Parameter Reliability category Entire

Measured Indicated Inferred Hypothetical Area

Area (in square meters) 53,972,398 249,745,998 493,881,231 87,696,026 885,295,653

Percent of area 6 28 56 10 100

Acres 13,337 61,714 122,041 21,670 218,761

SD (Standard deviation (in ft) from variogram model) 9.216 11.122 13.049 13.197 NA

Acre feet (Acres x SD) 122,916 689,387 1,592,500 285,976 NA

Volume standard deviation (MST) 21 164 1,085 506 1,777

Pseudo n (Minimum number of points in the area) 106 55 7 1 NA

Table PC-5. Volume and estimates of uncertainty for estimated total coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, Colstrip

coalfield, Montana, with measurement error. Resource calculations are in millions of short tons (MST) with four significant figures.

Volume refers to the calculated resource in millions of short tons (MST).

Parameter Reliability category Entire

Measured Indicated Inferred Hypothetical area

Estimated total coal resources (MST)) 832 4,017 6,948 826 12,620

Lower 90% confidence bound (MST) 797 3,746 5,162 0 9,699

Upper 90% confidence bound (MST) 867 4,287 8,733 1,659 15,550