2003-12-16_REVISION - M1977304 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RECEIVED DEC 16 2003 Exhibit D Division of Minerals and Geology MINING PLAN - 2003 Technical Revision Rex Quarry, Permit M-77-304 Mining will be accomplished in three phases or mining areas as outlined below, with stripping, backfilling and quarrying going on simultaneously. Mining area A (the current mining area) is divided in to blocks to further delineate progress within the quarry. These blocks were developed using both current and projected mining rates and are subject to change based on market conditions. Mining will progress to each of the next phases (mining areas C and D) as previously mined and reclaimed acres are released. The overburden material consists of sandstone rock containing 50% Si02 and 50% CaC03. This material does break up and will generate considerable fines, which will aid in subsequent revegetation. The underlying bed is again sandstone rock with the same chemical composition as that of the overburden. The parting plane between the limestone and the underlying sandstone is clearly defined, which results in a smooth hard floor after the limestone is removed. This would be very close to the existing terrain that is rock outcropping but in order to enhance reclamation, overburden in the form of broken rock will be placed over the bare rock to promote revegetation. Conventional open pit quarrying methods will be used in this operation. Both the sandstone overburden and limestone will be drilled and blasted. The shot rock will then be loaded and hauled to the crushing, screening and stockpiling area. Necessary roads will be constructed as required to provide access to the mining operations. The roads will be constructed primarily with the overburden material and covered with 3" to 12" of/," minus limestone or sandstone. Roadways will not need to be constructed outside the disturbed area and will be graded, covered or scarified to facilitate revegetation. Mining Area A. This is the current mining area and will remain open until around the year 2024 depending on demand for material. Limestone and sandstone will be removed. This will be accomplished by conventional open pit drilling and blasting methods. Limestone is loaded and hauled to the crushing and stockpile area for processing or to backfill areas. Mining area A has been further divided into smaller areas numbered A2, A3, A4, AS and A6. Stripping and quarrying will progress through those areas in that sequence unless demand or market conditions change. Overburden from current operations is being backfilled in backfill areas I, II and III. Subsequent backfill areas are numbered BF IV through BF VIII and maintain generally the same boundaries as mining areas A2 through A(i. The general backfill plan is to have backfilling and reclamation occurring as closely behind quarrying as possible. While overburden is being removed from Mining A2 generally backfilling will be taking place in BF III. Backfilling will move to BF IV once mining area A2 is depleted and progress through the mining areas in a similar sequence as mining areas A3 through A6 are depleted. Mining Area C. Once mining area A is depleted and enough acres from that area have been released to keep the overall disturbance within bonding limits, stripping and quarrying will move to the south end of mining area C and then proceed northward in areas C1, C2 and C3. After backfill area BF VIII has been filled, backfilling will move to the south end of mining area C and follow the quarrying northward. Overall depths of overburden will vary but a minimum depth of two feet will be maintained to provide sufficient base for revegetation. Mining Area D. Additional reserves within the permit boundary are outlined in mining area D (probable reserves). These reserves will be evaluated and mined as previously mined acres are reclaimed and released from the reclamation bond.