2015-06-23_REVISION - M1977004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Dustin Czapla Page 3 of 8 bench testing performed in 2014 demonstrated that addition of phosphate to the Pitch Reclamation Project surface water and groundwater resulted in rapid and near complete immobilization of uranium. As a result, phosphate -based treatment was identified as the principal means of achieving source control in the underground mine workings and pit lake (North Pit Lake) at the high elevation mine site with limited year-round access. The viability of in-situ source treatability under field -scale conditions in the underground mine workings is currently being advanced. As a precursor to full-scale treatment, pilot testing is tentatively scheduled for the 2015 field season (June to early October). Pilot testing will further characterize the physical extent and hydraulic conditions in the underground mine workings, and will identify the appropriate method for application and distribution of reagent to facilitate source treatment. The knowledge gained from pre - design pilot testing will be used to design, permit, and implement BMPs to establish a reasonable and defensible LPL for uranium at the discharge POC (SW -33) over the next few years. Land Ownership Homestake Mining Company has fee title to an area of approximately 1.5 square miles that completely surrounds the Pitch Reclamation Project. All areas where the proposed activities will be conducted are on Homestake Mining Company property and within the DRMS reclamation permit boundary. Historical Operations and Ongoing Reclamation and Monitoring Homestake Mining Company acquired the Pitch Reclamation Project in 1972. Prior to the acquisition, underground mining was conducted by Pinnacle Exploration. Homestake Mining Company conducted open pit uranium mining from 1979 until 1984 when operations were suspended, and the mine was placed into a care and maintenance status. The ore was trucked to the Homestake Mining Company mill in Grants, New Mexico. In 1993, Homestake Mining Company initiated the process of permanently closing the mine. Ongoing reclamation and monitoring activities have been conducted in support of the DRMS reclamation permit (M-77-004HR), the Radioactive Materials License (# 150-01) issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Radiation Management Program, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division (HMWMD), and the CPDS permit (# CO -0022756) issued by the CDPHE Water Quality Control Division. Geology and Hydrology The Pitch Reclamation Project is located within the Marshall Pass Mining District, on the southern flank of the Sawatch Mountain Range, which is part of an exposed remnant of folded sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic age. The Paleozoic section of sedimentary rocks is bounded roughly by Precambrian rocks on the north and east and is covered by 460 West 50 North, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 TEL(801)990--3746