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Phase II <br /> The Southfield Mine was inspected for compliance with relevant requirements for Phase <br /> II bond release in relation to the PAP. Discussion regarding reclamation standards and <br /> requirements for the Southfield Mine is located in Section 2.05.4 of the PAP. <br /> Vegetative Cover Success Standard <br /> As stated earlier under Section II of this document, the vegetative cover standard in <br /> Section 2.05.4 of the PAP indicates that herbaceous cover will be considered successful <br /> when herbaceous cover on the reclaimed area is greater than or equal to 90 percent of the <br /> herbaceous cover from the reference areas per Rule 4.15.8. At the Southfield Mine, <br /> multiple reference areas are used and the cover value comes from a weighted average <br /> based on acreage. However, during the SL-05 inspection,vegetation sampling was not <br /> conducted at the NW-MW pad and associated roads (0.3 acres), as well as the substation <br /> pad and associated road (0.5 acres) due the size of these areas. Vegetation sampling was <br /> also not performed at the Magpie Diversion. The Magpie Diversion is a permanent post- <br /> mining channel, as such, there are no associated vegetation cover requirements. <br /> Per Rule 4.15.11(2), "Demonstrations of sample adequacy and revegetation success for <br /> cover and productivity shall be made with one of the following statistically valid <br /> approaches in (a), (b), (c) or(d)." (a) and (b) of this Rule requires a minimum of fifteen <br /> sample observations in order to achieve statistical sample adequacy. The minimum <br /> number of sample observations for statistical adequacy for(c) of this Rule is thirty. Based <br /> on the requirements of Rule 4.15.11 and the size of the applicable areas, a sufficient <br /> number of samples cannot be achieved to ensure statistical adequacy for vegetation cover <br /> at the Southfield Mine. <br /> As noted, due to the size of the SL-05 areas,vegetation cover at the Southfield Mine was <br /> evaluated visually for compliance. Both the reclaimed NW-MW pad and the Substation <br /> 92 pad along with associated roads were visually analyzed for vegetation cover during <br /> the SL-05 inspection. <br /> The NW-MW well pad was established with vegetation. Grasses, shrubs and native <br /> cactus were observed along the reclaimed pad. The associated access road showed similar <br /> vegetation success. The pad and access road blend well into the undisturbed adjacent <br /> land. The road spur, located just east of the NW-MW well pad, is heavily vegetated with <br /> dense grasses and shrubs up to knee height. The area is well blended and is <br /> indistinguishable from surrounding undisturbed land. <br /> Southfield Mine <br /> Permit No.C-1981-014 June 7,2024 <br /> 10 <br />