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of tailings which are then allowed to dewater and consolidate <br />before the next layer of tailings is placed. The dewatered, <br />consolidated tailings will serve as a relatively impermeable <br />layer for placement of the next lift of tailings. The thin <br />layer deposition method will also promote achievement of as <br />high an average tailings density as possible to make the best <br />use of the disposal area capacity, producing a low permeability <br />in the tailings and minimizing the amount of residual water <br />trapped within the tailings. By progressively changing the <br />portion of the perimeter at which deposition is performed, each <br />layer of tailings can undergo loss of entrained water from <br />evaporation. Approximately 50 percent of the disposal area will <br />be under deposition at any time. The remaining area will be <br />allowed to drain and dry by natural processes. By producing <br />a relatively dense, solid tailings mass, reclamation upon mine <br />closure will be easier to achieve. <br />The site selected for tailings disposal is located <br />• immediately south of the mill and support facilities in the <br />approximate area of the currently approved heap leach. The <br />tailings disposal site is shown on Figure C-1. The site is <br />located in an arroyo tributary to Culebra Creek and is not <br />located within the Rito Seco drainage. <br />The proposed tailings disposal facility will consist of <br />the following components: <br />1. A tailings delivery and distribution pipeline and <br />associated pump station; <br />2. A lined tailings disposal area and associated <br />embankments; <br />3. A free water pool and water reclaim system from <br />the tailings disposal area to the mill including <br />intakes, pumps and pipelines; <br /> <br />D-19 <br />