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Additionally, much of the original soil has been removed and/or mixed into the subsoils <br />over many of the site areas, particulazly where extensive, previous, hand digging has <br />occurred. This is true of Sites A through D and H through K. <br />All soil, where present, will be scraped from the proposed excavations and stored <br />immediately to either side of the proposed excavation (see Exhibit E -Maps). Generally <br />about 8 inches of soil and subsoil will be stockpiled as suitable for growth medium. <br />Additional subsoil may be stockpiled over the growth-medium soil to prevent possible <br />wind erosion. As the subsoil and soil is re-spread after mining, the topsoil becomes the <br />uppermost layer and is ready for seeding. <br />Due to the nature of silicate deposits, no mineral matter is encountered during the mining <br />process which is detrimental to plant growth. Therefore, the waste rock does not become <br />problematic. Instead, the potassium and sodium feldspazs and the potassium micas which <br />are naturally decomposing from the granite are releasing these ions as nutrients. The <br />major difference as the deposits are penetrated, is the absence of organic material the <br />deeper one goes. Eventually, solid granite is encountered, usually at a depth of between <br />15 and 20 feet. As long as all material is returned to the excavation in reversed order of <br />its stockpile, no problem for future re-vegetation occurs. The rock is returned first, <br />followed by the gravel and subsoils. As a result, the subsoils are returned to their normal <br />horizon, and the organic topsoils are spread on the surface. Experience has shown when <br />reseeded, re-growth is rapid. Grasses, in particular, do well. <br />6.3.3(11 (c) Overburden and waste rock: <br />There is no overburden to be removed. <br />The pegmatite deposits largely lie within decomposing granites of the Pikes Peak <br />Batholith. Crystal cavities and cavity-bearing pegmatites can be encountered from the <br />surface down through in-situ granite. Most cavities are located within 15 feet of the <br />surface. Once hard rock is encountered, it is no longer economically productive to try to <br />expose cavities and mining ceases. No mining is anticipated in hard rock below 25 feet <br />in depth. If decomposing granite lies on top of deep structures, it is possible, but unlikely <br />an excavation will reach 40 feet in depth. In that case, all excavations are terraced to <br />maintain safety standards. <br />All overburden and waste rock is stockpiled adjacent to or on the excavation and will be <br />used as backfill. <br />6.3.3 11 (dl Thickness and nature of deposits: <br />Most ofthe pegmatite deposits aze highly sporadic and unpredictable. The sites in this <br />application have been discovered only through dedicated long-term prospecting efforts <br />and represent what we believe to be sufficiently prolific to produce minerals of <br />commercial value. <br />