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(Page 2) MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING INSPECTION DATE 05/03/07 This was an inspection of Crosby of the Division of L.L.P. was present during ID # M-1999-002 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS ESC OBBBRVATION3 the Yankee Gulch Sodium Minerals Project conducted by Erica Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Celina Akin of American Soda the inspection. The mining and reclamation permit was issued to American Soda L.L.P. on July 16, 1999. The total permit area is 4,084 acres whereas 512.5 acres is to be affected in the first five-year panel block. The site is on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Division holds a bond in the amount of $236,424.00. The total reclamation cost estimate for the Yankee Gulch Sodium Minerals Project totals $7,444,531.00, and the BLM retains a majority of the bond. In April of 2004, American Soda notified the Division that due to high energy costa and a depressed soda ash market, the Sodium Carbonate/Sodium Bicarbonate processing operations was operating at a net lose. Since 2004, American Soda has phased down the operation, plugged and abandoned a number of production wells and reclaimed disturbed areas. Wells have been either to be placed on Long Term Standby or permanently plugged and abandoned-. Once a well has been depressurized the production tubing is removed and a cast iron bridge plug or cement plug is placed in the casing as close as possible to the bottom of the crown pillar. Once the plugs are in place, a Mechanical Integrity Test is performed on the well. For wells in Long Term Standby, a Mechanical integrity Test is conducted on two-year intervals as long as the well is in temporary status. The Division approved TR-OS to the permit that describes the temporary abandonment procedures for wells that are to be placed on Long Term Standby. The lower pond and well field was reclaimed in the summer of 2006. The contents of the pond and liner were disposed of in the vicinity of well 28-21. The area was broadcast seeded in the fall of 2006 with the approved seed mixture. Vegetation was not established at the time of the inspection. At the base of the slope a natural drainage flows. The operator stated that the drainage only flows during heavy rainstorms. As a result, a small gully has formed. The operator will need to shape a channel to allow water to flow into the natural drainage channel. A majority of the wells were inspected, and comments are as follows; Well Status Comments 20-11 Plugged & Abandoned The area was regraded and seeded in 2005. Vegetation is starting to establish 20-12 Plugged & Abandoned Only the pad area had been reclaimed. The well has a TDR cable installed. Vegetation is starting to establish on the pad. Roads associated with wells will remain for future sampling. 20-14 Plugged & Abandoned Pad was reclaimed in 2005, but the area is dominated by annual weeds. Reseeding may be necessary. 20-19 Long term stand-by 20-2 Plugged & Abandoned 20-30 Plugged ~ Abandoned 20-31 Plugged & Abandoned 20-32 Plugged & Abandoned 20-33 Long term stand-by 20'35 Plugged & Abandoned 20-36 Long term stand-by 20-74 Long term stand-by 20-76 Plugged & Abandoned 21-15 Plugged & Abandoned Pad area requires reclamation. 21-16 Plugged & Abandoned