Laserfiche WebLink
3.0 EXHIBIT U: DESIGNATED MINING OPERATION <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN <br /> 6.4.21 Summary <br /> The purpose of this Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) is to assure compliance with the Act and Rules <br /> that are protective of environmental areas that have the potential to be affected by designated <br /> chemicals,toxic or acid-forming materials or acid mine drainage. In addition,the EPP includes <br /> implementation and commitment to appropriate wildlife protective measures recommended by CPW. <br /> The DGM was evaluated to determine the potential to generate toxic or acid forming materials. Three <br /> aspects of the project were identified:the FTST,waste rock piles and temporary stockpiles.The mill will <br /> use two reagents in GMR processing. DGM does not include leach facilities, heap leach pads, <br /> impoundments, or land application sites. <br /> 6.4.21(1)(c)(iii)The EPP for FTSF <br /> As described in the mine plan, mill tailings will be produced at the rate of 300 tpd and placed in the FTSF <br /> as filtered or"dry stack"tailings with a maximum dry density of approximately 15%. Geotechnical <br /> classification and geochemical characterization of tailings did not identify carbonate or sulfide minerals <br /> in the tailings samples. Minerals detected by XRD include quartz (67.5%) and numerous <br /> aluminosilicates, including feldspars (potassium and plagioclase 6.1%) and mafic aluminosilicates <br /> (21.4%), as well as magnetite (0.2%) and goethite (4.8%). <br /> Geochemical characterization of tailings and supporting buttress material was undertaken in 2021. <br /> Details and results of the program are given in GEM Services' report "Tailings Geochemistry <br /> Characterization and Seepage Quality Estimate", provided in Appendix B of Zephyr Minerals' mine <br /> permit application. <br /> In summary, a tailings and tailings filtrate sample from the processing of altered and unaltered ore were <br /> subjected to acid base accounting (tailings solids) and water quality analysis (tailings filtrate)to <br /> determine their potential to produce acidic drainage and to release metals. Test results indicate both <br /> tailings types are non-potentially acid generating (non-PAG). The tailings filtrate quality meets the <br /> groundwater quality standard and is less than the background groundwater quality at the site. <br /> The tailings samples are currently undergoing kinetic testing to assess the long term metal leaching <br /> potential during post-closure. To date, leachates from the humidity cells are maintaining slightly <br /> alkaline pH with decreasing concentrations in sulfate, acidity and metals. <br /> Development rock expected to be used as supporting buttress material in the FTSF was also <br /> characterized. Five samples were subjected to acid base accounting and short term leach tests (shake <br /> flask extraction testing). All samples are classified as non-PAG material. Results from the SFE tests show <br /> few detectable trace metals. Metals and metalloids detected include aluminium, antimony, arsenic, <br /> barium, copper, lead, manganese, molybdenum and uranium. All parameters met the groundwater <br /> quality standard. All SFE tests produced slightly alkaline pH. No sulfate was detected. <br /> Tailings from the rougher/scavenger flotation and cleaner scavenger flotation will be combined in the <br /> thickener to recover process water that will be recycled in the mill. The thickener solids will be pumped <br /> to a filter feed stock tank and treated with a generic anionic emulsion flocculant to aid settling. Again, <br /> 67 <br />