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photographed. Pre-existing disturbance, ease of access, density of vegetation, and <br />topographic relief were considered while staking the locations to lessen the environmental <br />impact and surface disturbance of the operations. NSI would like to be able to plan for <br />and permit two drill holes per location; an initial core hole and a contingency hole. The <br />contingency hole would only be drilled if it is determined more data is needed in the <br />immediate vicinity, i.e. if halite is found where only nahcolite was predicted or vice versa. <br />The contingency hole may also be drilled if unexpected operational problems are <br />experienced while drilling the initial core hole; for example, core is lost, the coring bottom <br />hole assembly (BHA) is lost downhole, the hole is lost, etc. It should be noted that, to <br />date, Natural Soda has not needed to re -drill a hole due to operational problems. <br />The typical pad size, including cut and fill slopes, will be 0.5 to 0.7 acres. Proposed <br />locations for wells E, F, G, 1, 1, K, and L, are along the suspected boundary of the Upper <br />Boies Bed (UBB) Transition Facies (nahcolite to halite). These wells will be located within a <br />10 acre contingency area (Figure 1A). The entire 10 acres will be not disturbed, only the <br />minimum amount required to drill the holes (Figure 2). The remaining 14 pad locations <br />would require a maximum 1.5 acre well pad (depending on well location) to allow <br />sufficient space to skid the rig over and drill a contingency hole if needed (Figure 2). NSI <br />does not intend to disturb the entire 1.5 acres. If a contingency hole is needed due to <br />operational or other problems, NSI would make every effort to utilize the existing pad <br />(typically 0.5 to 0.7 acres) without creating additional disturbance. Strategies to avoid <br />creating additional disturbance include drilling wells which are offset from the center of <br />the well pad (Figure 2). This strategy should allow the drill rig to skid a short distance from <br />the original core hole if a contingency (re- drill) hole becomes necessary. Again, it should <br />be noted that, to date, Natural Soda has not needed to re -drill a hole due to operational <br />problems. Minimization of cut and fill was taken into consideration when choosing <br />locations. Topsoil will be stored immediately adjacent to location, covered and clearly <br />marked. NSI does not intend to disturb any more surface area than is necessary. <br />Daub & Associates, Inc. NSI 2014 Exploration Program <br />Page 2 of 10 Revised 3/14/14 <br />