2019-06-28_REVISION - M1977004 (9)

Home Browse Search

Homestake Mining Company May 10,2019 Regular(112d)Operation Reclamation Permit Application Package Certain existing features of the site will remain after reclamation, including the main access road, local road for access, and some of the necessary drainage controls and stormwater conveyances. The species comprising the existing vegetation plan, which have been planted in HMC's ongoing concurrent reclamation, have shown themselves to be successful and appropriate; no change in the seed mix is proposed in this amendment. 4.4.1. Wildlife Planned reclamation activities will support the post-mining land use of wildlife, particularly the slope gradients, grassland vegetation establishment, and forest cover, which comply with the requirements set forth in Rule 3.1.8. The amended reclamation plan is intended to re-establish and possibly improve existing wildlife habitat through the creation of additional forage and a corresponding increase in carrying capacity. The establishment of open grassland combined with natural areas of shrubs and trees will provide diversity in the wildlife habitat. 4.4.2. Water Resources Current surface water ponds include the Sediment Pond and North Pit Lake. The North Pit Lake will be removed with partial backfilling of the North Pit as part of this amended Reclamation Plan (described below). The Sediment Pond will be maintained as required for meeting water quality needs, but will eventually be drained with removal of the Sediment Dam and reclaimed. Following removal of the Sediment Pond, the Indian and Tie Camp drainages will continue to convey surface water as the headwaters to Indian Creek, providing a water resource for wildlife. 4.4.3. Slope Gradients Slopes to be created on disturbed areas will be stable and appropriate for wildlife and livestock grazing uses,to support revegetation and to allow grazing animals to traverse the site.As required by Rule 3.1.5, the slope gradients will be appropriate for these uses. It should be noted that where such stable slopes have been established during past reclamation efforts, they appear to be stable and able to be revegetated. Within the areas to be reclaimed there will be limited areas where highwall or scarp features which remain after reclamation, but they will be stabilized, in accordance with Rule 3.1.5(3). Consistent with the requirements of Rule 3.1.5(7), the existing and proposed slopes are compatible with the terrain of the surrounding undisturbed land. Final slopes of the rock dump faces will be regraded to be within a range of a maximum gradient of approximately 2H:1 V to a gentler gradient of approximately 3H:1 V or less. Some slopes within the North Pit and South Pit remain at the angle established during mining operations. However, a significant amount of regrading and backfilling has occurred in the pits, resulting in gentler gradients that meet the maximum slope gradient standard of 2H:1 V. EXHIBIT E-RULE 6.4.5(AMENDED RECLAMATION PLAN) Page 62 HOMESTAKE MINING COMPANY