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Whirlwind Mine Groundwater Characterization Report <br /> deviates slightly and is a sodium-bicarbonate-sulfate water type. Whirlwind Decline water also <br /> exhibits a strong sodium-bicarbonate water type signature. Whirlwind Decline, the Rajah 49 <br /> Mine, and to some degree the Packrat Mine water, exhibit the same water type as Brushy Basin <br /> source waters. This fact implies that perceived Salt Wash source water chemistry is chemically <br /> similar to Brushy Basin because, 1) overall rock chemistry of the two units is similar; or 2) <br /> groundwater flow paths into Salt Wash source areas (mine workings) have been altered by <br /> exploration and mining-related activities, e.g., drill hole leakage. <br /> It is reasonable to assign Whirlwind Decline water as Brushy Basin since it is known that a main <br /> water source to the decline is from a lower sandstone zone within the Brushy Basin. A piper plot <br /> of all acquired data for the Whirlwind Decline is shown in Figure 11. Two samples collected by <br /> EFR in 2007 indicate that they were collected directly from the Brushy Basin source point in the <br /> decline. Figure 11 identifies these samples as Whirlwind Seep, and "Upper'Whirlwind Sump. <br /> These samples do not differ markedly from other Whirlwind Decline mine water samples, <br /> including those labeled "sump". All but two of the decline samples form a tight group on the plot <br /> that closely match the "Brushy Basin" sodium-bicarbonate type water. The samples collected on <br /> March 10th and June 19th, 2008, are outliers and their diverse chemistry may be related to <br /> activity in the mine, the specific sample location, or sampling method. <br /> Water chemistry of the Packrat Mine and Rajah 49 Mine may be influenced by inflows to the <br /> mine from drill hole intercepts or natural flow paths to the mine, including fractures, both of <br /> which may, originate from or come in contact with the Brushy Basin. <br /> 6.2.3.1 PR Spring and Packrat Mine <br /> The origin of PR Spring is uncertain, but it is very likely the spring is fracture-controlled. This <br /> may be related to the Lumsden Fault which lies a short distance to the north. The geologic <br /> setting and water chemistry data suggest that the spring water either contacts the mineralized <br /> zone of the Salt Wash or less common mineralized zones within the Brushy Basin. <br /> The common ion water chemistry of Packrat Mine water is similar to Brushy Basin water. <br /> Whereas PR Spring water has proportionally less sodium and slightly less chloride—enough to <br /> set it apart from the Packrat Mine and other Brushy Basin sources on Figure 8. Groundwater in <br /> Western Water S Land, Inc. 44 <br />