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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> I am writing in objection to the proposed Cross Gold Mine expansion. In the summer of 2021 1 worked for GIR <br /> at the Cross-Caribou Mine as a geotechnician. During this time GIR implemented an on-site"crushing <br /> operation."Prior to this my job was splitting core samples in half,so that half could be cataloged and stored on <br /> site,and half was sent off site to be crushed and sampled for gold and silver content. By crushing the core <br /> samples on site before sending them to be assayed they would be able to marginally cut their costs. <br /> In July/August of 2021 they built a"crushing room"and attempted a ventilation system,as crushing rock <br /> creates a very large amount of silica dust,which is a known carcinogen.This ventilation system was built by an <br /> employee of GIR and to my knowledge,was never inspected for safety by a third party or any sort of HVAC <br /> expert. I have sent videos to Patrick at DRMS that I took on August 22nd of 2021. Looking back, I could have <br /> done a better job of exhibiting how poorly this ventilation system performed-so much so that silica dust would <br /> collect in the room in a cloud while the crushing machines were operating,and then be blown by a fan into the <br /> dirt parking lot.GIR knowingly endangered their employees by using a dust collection system that was <br /> expressly incapable of handling silica dust,and chose to put the public's health at risk by choosing to blow that <br /> dust into the open when they could not contain it. It is possible that anyone driving up and down Caribou Road <br /> could have been exposed to it when the wind inevitably spread the dust from the dirt parking lot to the public <br /> road.While it's unlikely that any member of the public was exposed to such extremes that it would have lasting <br /> health effects,this deliberate lack of respect and concern by GIR sums up their business model-get rich quick, <br /> no matter who may suffer in the process. In my opinion,with what I personally witnessed,GIR does not care <br /> about the welfare of their employees,the people of Nederland,or the environment around them. <br /> Shortly after I took these videos, I complained to one of GIR's"higher-ups."I don't remember his exact job title <br /> but I believe he went by"JP"or something similar.We were told to voice any concerns to him. I was told <br /> because I"brought attention"to the dust collector,they could no longer use it and ceased their crushing <br /> operation.They were visibly very annoyed with me as this halt probably cost them a considerable amount of <br /> money.They fired me in October,stating they had"eliminated my position,"but I believe they just viewed me as <br /> a roadblock since I voiced my safety concerns. <br /> In their short history of operation,GIR has proven they will cut corners in the name of profit,potentially <br /> endangering their employees,the public,and the environment in the process. I do not believe that they have <br /> exhibited the ability to maintain their 10 acres responsibly,and therefore should not be blindly trusted to <br /> maintain nearly 200 acres. <br /> While a potential mine expansion could"provide jobs for the community"as some will argue,this employment <br /> contract comes with a vow of silence,as any employee who dares to speak up against unsafe practices will be <br /> terminated. <br /> We are at a vitally important crossroad to the future. It is our responsibility to put the best interest of the <br /> environment first,so that our children may continue to enjoy the beauty of Nederland and its surrounding areas. <br /> Safe and efficient mining practices exist.Tom Hendricks exhibited this. However,the men at Grand Island <br /> Resources do not. Let the outcome of the Cross Gold Mine be an example to the world that good may still <br /> prevail,that the future of our lands is more important than the pockets of private investors,and that the voices <br /> of our neighbors are considered with utmost importance. May those viewing this issue from the outside see that <br /> Grand Island Resources is in this fight for profit alone,while the citizens taking time out of their own lives to fight <br /> against them have no money to gain-only the prospect that the land and people we love will be protected. <br /> Permitting Action Comment/Objection is Regarding <br /> • New Permit Change to Existing Permit <br /> Permit Number* (?) <br /> Enter a valid permit number <br /> M1977410 <br /> County* <br /> Colorado County where the proposed operation is located <br /> Boulder <br /> Enter one county only <br />