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of in the bottom of the pit before backfilling. Remaining small vegetation and grasses <br />were taken up with the topsoil. Topsoil thicknesses were staked as described in Permit <br />Map 2.04.9 -3 but equipment operators were instructed to take more or less depending on <br />visual inspection of more rocky material; which is the main visual aid in determining <br />topsoil versus overburden material. Topsoil was not removed while it was saturated or <br />completely frozen. On the Garvey property, topsoil is being salvaged separately <br />according to its classification. All Progresso (PRO) soil classifications are salvaged and <br />either stockpiled separately or re- applied back in the same general area as it is salvaged <br />from. On the rest of the permit area which includes the Meehan and Glazier properties, <br />topsoil will not be separated. Rather it will be salvaged and re- applied as one unit. The <br />property lines mentioned above are shown on Permit Map 2.04.9 -3 as well as Map 2013- <br />5 corresponding to this report. <br />As of the end of 2013, all topsoil salvage has occurred in the southern part of the Permit <br />which consists of the Garvey Property. Therefore, PRO soils were handled and stockpiled <br />separately from the other soils. All topsoil as of end of 2013 has been stockpiled rather <br />than re- applied because no backfilling has occurred. Early in the year, after initial topsoil <br />stripping procedures were completed, all topsoil storage piles were ripped and seeded <br />with approved Temporary Seed mix #3 at a rate of 22.5 lbs pls /acre as described in <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(e) of the NHN Permit to aid in erosion control. Later in the year, a <br />separate area was stripped of topsoil directly north of the initial topsoil stripping area. <br />This was done in preparation for excavation of the next pit after the boxcut and in <br />anticipation of the inability to strip topsoil during the coldest months of the winter when <br />the topsoil would be fully frozen and covered in snow. This newly stripped topsoil was <br />also placed on the same piles according to its designation. This caused a portion of each <br />storage pile to have a new disturbance. This new disturbance was watered to create a <br />`crust' and plans are in progress for a contractor to re -seed these areas in conjunction <br />with temporary seeding of similar nature on topsoil storage piles still in existence on the <br />NH2 Mine. <br />Topsoil type delineation areas as well as topsoil balances are shown on Map 2013 -5 <br />associated with this report. Much of the stockpiled topsoil will be re- applied to the <br />boxcut area after regrading but some will remain until final reclamation of the facilities <br />area and overburden stockpile area. <br />Backfilling and Grading <br />Work consisted exclusively of pre - production activities and initial boxcut excavation. <br />Due to this fact, there was no land backfilled or graded during 2013 on the NHN Permit. <br />As backfilling commences, the "Regraded Spoil Backfll Material Monitoring Program" <br />as outlined in Section 2.05.4(2)(d) of the NHN Permit will be followed. The results of <br />above program will be included in future Reclamation Reports when they are available <br />after backfilling has begun on the NHN Mine. The monitoring program consists of <br />sampling the upper four feet of final regraded spoil for suitability as potential rooting <br />material. The samples will be analyzed by a lab for chemical/physical suitability as well <br />as insurance that the material is non - toxic. If the spoil material is found to be unsuitable, <br />M:\DATA \Word\NHN Ann Rec Reports\2013\NHN 2013 Annual Reclamation Report.doc <br />-3— <br />