2017-06-27_REVISION - M1977227 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Request for Technical Revision Permit M-1977-227 Mesita Hill Mine Exhibit E Reclamation Plan — Revised for Concurrent Reclamation The operator expects to encounter a significant amount of waste or reject material during mining and processing. This waste material will be hauled to the large central pit for backfilling, to one of the adjacent smaller pits for backfilling, or to a previously mined phase for backfilling or slope reduction. Backfilling of reject material will occur until the small pits adjacent to that mining phase are backfilled or until appropriate final slope gradients are reached. As each successive mining phase area is opened (or reopened) there may be varying amounts of topsoil (growth medium) and/or overburden generated. The overburden will be hauled directly to previous mining phases (and areas previously mined in the past) for backfilling or slope reduction. The topsoil/growth medium will also be moved directly to the phase areas being reclaimed. Growth medium will not be stockpiled, but whenever possible, it will be hauled directly to its final placement for reclamation, without the intermediate step of temporary stockpiling. Within 12 months -after topsoil placement, the topsoil will be seeded. It is noted that there are significant stockpiles of overburden and growth medium already existing on the margins of the site, particularly around the north and east sides. Super -Ex recognizes the reclamation value of these materials and does not wish to leave them in the old existing stockpiles; all of these materials will be utilized in performing final reclamation across the site. These materials will be moved to cover any nearby areas that will no longer be mined and that. have been graded and are prepared for reclamation. This will allow Super -Ex to accomplish many acres of reclamation earthwork and seeding sooner, during active operations in the mining phases, and there will be no delay for completing reclamation on those specific areas. Due to the potential variability in volumes of the future materials that may be encountered during mining (reject, overburden, and growth medium materials), the operator cannot closely estimate the amount of backfilling, grading, or other reclamation earthwork that will occur in relation to the amount of phased mining that is carried out. However, the operator has prioritized the areas and features to reclaim. In descending order of reclamation priority, they are: small peripheral pits, large central pit, newly "retired" mining phases, and finally, central processing area and roads. At or near the conclusion of the final mining phases, the following areas and features will be reclaimed: interior roads ripped and graded, remaining stockpiled