2014-06-26_PERMIT FILE - M2014027 (2)

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EXHIBIT B Site Description Numerous prospect pits, surface disturbances, and an inactive open pit dating from the 1980's already exist at Crystal Hill. In addition to the pre-existing open pit (approximately 7.2 acres), other previously disturbed areas include reclaimed waste dumps and heap leach pad (approximately 39.1 acres), and about two miles of access roads. The bottom of the historic open pit is at an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet, and is approximately 380 feet by 280 feet in area. The open pit has the form of a steep-sided, topographically closed, flat-floored amphitheater facing west and carved into the southwest side of Crystal Hill. The top of the open pit is approximately 600 feet by 600 feet. There are no pre-existing buildings at the mine site. The only pre-existing man-made features in the vicinity are a few livestock watering impoundments, fences to delineate grazing areas and a gate to block access to the open pit. Current land use in the area, not related to prospecting and mining exploration, appears to be limited to livestock grazing, seasonal hunting, mostly deer and elk, woodcutting, National Forest access, and rockhound activities. SOIL CHARACTERISTICS The proposed affected area has been previously disturbed by historic mining activity and is situated at an elevation of about 9,000 feet on a west-facing slope. The area of the historic Crystal Hill open pit has been denuded of soil and cover, and consists of rock outcrops. Historic waste dumps found outside of the open pit have been reclaimed by grading and seeding, and contain very little soil. As part of the previous operator's mine permit application, Impact Environmental Consultants, Ltd., a Denver-based research and service group, conducted a field survey to confirm the observations of a U.S. Soil Conservation Service report which included the proposed permit area. In November 1980, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) made a site visit, and provided a written report on the soils of the area. The mapping units SCS described are complexes consisting of two or more soils series. The four mapping units identified by the SCS in the Crystal Hill area are the Jodero-Lolo complex, the Tolman Rock Outcrop complex, the Bushvalley-Tellura complex, and areas of Rock Outcrop. For the most part, these designations are coincident with hillslope gradients. The results of the SCS and Impact Environmental Consultants, Ltd. surveys were used to develop a soils map for the area, presented as Exhibit B - Soil Map.