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<br />of the ore body. This work has revealed that the ore i.s amenable <br />to a more efficient beneficiation process utilizing a carbon-in- <br />leach conventional milling process. After careful review of the <br />available options, Battle Mountain has determined that this <br />beneficiation process is superior to the combination mill/heap <br />leach process contemplated in the approved reclamation permit. <br />Accordingly Battle Mountain is seeking CMLRB approval of a permit <br />amendment which reflects the alternative beneficiation process. <br />Overview of the Permit Amendment <br />The amendment application proposes to eliminate entirely the <br />approved cyanide heap leaching operation and all associated <br />facilities and to process all of the ore in a conventional carbon- <br />in-leach mill circuit. The amendment application does not propose <br />any changes in the mining or reclamation plan for the twa mine pits <br />as approved in the reclamation permit. However the amendment does <br />describe certain changes with respect to waste rock handling and <br />disposal. Approximately twenty-five million tons of waste rock <br />will be removed over the life of the project. The majority of the <br />waste rock will be disposed of in waste rock disposa]. areas in <br />accordance with plans previously approved in the reclamation <br />permit. The amendment does reflect some minor modifi<cations to <br />the approved waste rock disposal areas. Three of the six waste <br />rock disposal areas remain unchanged from the existing :permit and <br />three waste rock disposal area have been modified as a result of <br />the processing changes. The size of two waste rock disposal areas <br />has been reduced and a third waste rock disposal area has been <br />2 <br />