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Capping and re-vegetation were considered. Although this would benefit the <br /> potential real estate value, it did not offer an immediate return on investment, <br /> and only offered to "Cover-Up"the real problem which is the Pyritic Sulfide <br /> Mineral Content of the dump that is the source for the acid run-off. Moreover, <br /> the documents referenced above indicate removal is the very best solution. <br /> We began doing metallurgical testing to determine whether or not it is feasible to <br /> process this material for any trace precious metal content to offset the initial <br /> expense. It was determined to be feasible to mill the material and extract the <br /> precious metal as well as all heavy metal contaminates from the waste rock. This <br /> offered up a private, voluntary business solution to cleanup an environmental <br /> problem caused by historically abandoned mine wastes, and an opportunity to <br /> grow and remediate other similarly dangerous dumps while making it profitable <br /> to do something that is desperately needed in the area, as well as a potential <br /> solution to other damaging dumps that are so prolific in Gilpin county and <br /> specifically Central City and Blackhawk.These areas have huge numbers of these <br /> mines with Sulfide waste Dumps.The EPA recognized this cleanup methodology in <br /> their ROD R08-88/019: <br /> "REPROCESSING ALTERNATIVE:THE REPROCESSING ALTERNATIVE <br /> CONSIDERS THE TAILINGS AND WASTE ROCK PILES AS AN ECONOMIC <br /> RESOURCE AND RECOVERS THE INHERENT MONETARY VALUE WHILE <br /> GENERATING A WASTE WHICH MAY NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE <br /> ENVIRONMENT." <br /> "REPROCESSING WOULD BE A PERMANENT SOLUTION THAT ELIMINATED <br /> COLLAPSE OF THE TAILINGS AND WASTE ROCK PILES. A NEW WASTE <br /> TAILINGS IS PRODUCED. LEACHING TESTS SHOW THAT THE NEW TAILINGS <br /> CAN BE DISPOSED IN A MUNICIPAL LANDFILL. (emphasis added)" <br /> We have a permitted and operating mill in Aravaca Arizona that will be receiving <br /> the dump material.The mill employs both gravity and flotation concentration <br /> processes. Initially we can process about 20 tons per day,this represents a Pilot <br /> Mill so we can start at a small scale to prove the concept and iron-out(Sustained <br /> oxidation of sulfide minerals) process details.The second phase of our operations <br /> Page 2 of 7 <br />