2002-03-04_REVISION - M1986015 (8)

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MINING PLAN reclamation plan maps (Exhibits C and F~ only show the western end of the permit area. No mining is planned at this time for the entire eastern half of the permit area. The reason it is being permitted is to include a possible expansion area in the permit at this time. Deposits within the eastern half of the permit area show good signs of being capable of development. Those future operational areas would probably be connected to this site via conveyors. Thus, this permit area defines a maximum feasible operational unit that would be served by the processing plant. Other lands further away may also contribute aggregates to this plant once they are permitted, but because those other lands are disconnected from this unit, those lands will be permitted separately even though the gravel mined there may be processed at this site. It is recognized that just because an area is permitted does not necessarily mean it can be mined. The eastern part of this permit will still require a permit amendment before those lands can be mined. In fact, an amendment will be required to even mine Phase 2 as it is not planned in this permit amendment. At this time, no definite plans exist for mining the eastern half of this permit, but a number of options are being explored and undergoing further study. The lands in the eastern part of the permit area probably would not be operated until after the two phases in this plan are completed or nearly completed. Affected Land Area: The affected land area includes essentially all of Phase 1. This is the land where the operation will be conducted. No actual affected land boundary is shown because it would not have much meaning. The affected land for Phase 2 will be defined when that phase is planned and approved via an amendment. The reason that phase is not planned at this time is discussed elsewhere in this exhibit. Basically, mining Phase 1 before Phase 2 is planned allows experience gained in Phase 1 to be applied to Phase 2. In the northwest corner of Phase 1, the mining limit is kept more than 200 feet away from the steep slope that rises up to US 50. This is designed to eliminate concerns about destabilizing the highway slope with a deep excavation in this area. In the event mining can be done closer than 200 feet, and with the approval of the Colorado Department of Highways, then the mining limit in this area may be shifted northward to whatever distance is a safe distance from the highway slope. This change would probably be made, if it is changed at all, when Phase 2 is added to the plan in a future amendment. It is important to note that this area will be the last area to be mined in Phase 1 so there is no great urgency to address this matter at this time. Pueblo East Pit Amendment Exhibit D Page 4