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TonoQraphv and Ve etg ation <br />A complete description of the mine area was provided in the baseline studies conducted <br />for the DMG permit. The DMG permit study area was described as foothill terrain, <br />vegetated by indigenous grasses, sagebrush shrubs at lower elevations, and pinon juniper <br />woodlands at higher elevations. <br />The understory and valley vegetation consists of native grasses, shrubs, juniper, and other <br />typical semi-arid types of vegetation. Topography in the mine azea is characterized by <br />low (5 percent) to steep (40 percent) slopes in the foothills, and gentle slopes (5 percent <br />and less) in the valleys. The elevation varies from 8,400 feet along the Rito Seco valley <br />floor to 9,300 feet in the northeast portion of the permit area. <br />Geology and Soils <br />Soils in the mine area consist predominantly of alluvium/colluvium matrix above the <br />Santa Fe Conglomerate. Both of these zones are underlain by bedrock consisting of <br />Precambrian gneiss. The upper alluvium/colluvium unit is moderately to very permeable. <br />Hydraulic properties testing of the Santa Fe Conglomerate indicated low permeability <br />values that often result in the Formation of locally perched groundwater conditions. The <br />Precambrian bedrock is a low permeability formation and is isolated from the Santa Fe <br />Conglomerate by a green clay zone, which tends to act as an aquitazd. In the West Pit <br />azea, the green clay layer was partially excavated and removed during the mining <br />operations. <br />Climate <br />The San Luis mine is located in an area best described as semi-arid, high mountainous <br />terrain. The climate is characterized by low annual precipitation (12 inches) and high <br />annual pan evaporation (40 inches). The average annual temperature is 40.89 degrees <br />Fahrenheit. These climatic conditions combine to produce a net annual evaporation of <br />free water. The majority of precipitation falls as convective thunderstorms during the <br />summer months with late spring snowstorms forming the second largest source of <br />precipitation. Being surrounded by high mountains, frontal systems that produce large <br />Battle Mountain Resources, Inc. Telesto Solutions, Inc. <br />..o~mu reo.m.nrz. mo„a8em~„om~.da~ 11 May 3, 2001 <br />