2019-01-09_PERMIT FILE - M2019001 (3)

Home Browse Search

Mine Phasing Connell Resources anticipates mining and reclaiming the proposed Lazy Two Pit site in approximately 15 years. However, the rate of mining and overall life of the mine is dependent on several factors including product demand. Test pits have verified that commercial deposits of sand and gravel exist up to approximately 10 feet below the surface of the ground. In addition to the commercial sand and gravel materials, clay, silt, and other non-marketable materials excavated from the proposed permit area will be used on-site for reclamation. Since the proposed permit area is a relatively uniform land area, the mining plan currently includes mining in just one phase from south to north (see Exhibit C-5, Pre-Mining/Mining Plan Map). Even though the proposed permit area will be mined in only one phase, integration of mining and reclamation is still applicable. In general, as the pit reaches its maximum depth and edges are completed, they will be backfilled and reclaimed. In areas where the final pit depth has been achieved and operations are no longer present, backfilling and reclamation of pit walls will extend onto the pit floor. Rough contouring of the pit floor to facilitate drainage will take place during mining while fine contouring and establishing final drainage patterns will be one of the last steps in the reclamation process. The contour blending will avoid steep transitions and create a topography that produces a smooth, relatively low velocity flow from the mined area to adjacent areas. Overland flow patterns will be incorporated into this transition so as to connect the pit floor with existing drainage systems. Mining Methods Groundwater is not expected to be encountered during mining and the deposit will be dry mined. Mining will proceed by first stripping and stockpiling topsoils and overburden. The exposed gravel will then be removed in lifts and transported to the processing facility. Since the material is unconsolidated deposits, no blasting is required. Earth Moving Areas to be mined are prepared by removal of topsoil and overburden. Each preparation area may be as much as 100 feet wide. Usually, only enough area is stripped and prepared to provide the estimated needs for the next 10 to 14 months of mining. Where it is found, surface topsoil material will be stripped separate from the underlying, deeper subsoil or overburden material. This topsoil layer contains most of the soils organic matter and will be stockpiled separately for use in reclamation. Once the surface layer has been removed, the rest of the overburden will be stripped and used directly for backfill or stockpiled separate from the surface layer. The active mining face will extend no more than 1,000 feet in length. During mining and prior to reclamation, the mine walls will be a nearly vertical to '/2H:IV slope (see Exhibit C-5, Pre- Mining/Mining Plan Map). Mining will progress down to the depth of quality aggregate material or approximately 10 feet below the surface. As the mining face progresses, pit sidewalls behind the mining activities will be reclaimed. So reclamation activities do not interfere with mining Lazy Two Pit DBMS 112 Permit Application Page 6