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MINING PLAN <br /> Exhibit D <br /> Mining Plan <br /> Introduction and Overview: This mining plan is based on a division of the permit into two <br /> separate, generally unconnected phases (see Exhibit C-1A). Only Phase 1 is planned. Phase 1 <br /> contains the area of previous mining which constitutes a comparatively small part of the total <br /> available mining area. Extensive disturbance from the previous operator is present. Phase 1 is <br /> divided into two stages, a north stage and a south stage. <br /> The mining of Stage 1 will begin at the existing quarry and mine northward. However, <br /> initially, mining will only be done in areas that have already been stripped (by the previous <br /> operator). As that mining concludes, soil stripping west and especially north of the existing quarry <br /> will begin, with about a two year mining supply being stripped at a time (about 4 to 7 acres). <br /> As mining concludes in Stage 1, Stage 2 will be initiated on the south end of Stage 1. Stage <br /> 2 will mine southward from the existing quarry until either the south setback limit is reached or the <br /> rock characteristics change making further extraction unproductive. <br /> This sequence is used so mining may be ceased at any moment leaving a condition that is <br /> more easily reclaimed than what the previous operator left. The previous operator mined in a <br /> fashion that did not allow easy reclamation and abandoned the site when their profits were not what <br /> expected. This sequence also allows for a high, although not maximized, rate of soil redistribution <br /> using a haulback approach. This helps to maximize the rate of reclamation and minimizes the <br /> amount of time that mined land remains unreclaimed. <br /> Past Mining History <br /> This site apparently has a long history of mining. During the early 1970's this site was used <br /> as a source for facing rock for Pueblo Dam. The very hard, highly erosion resistant rock was <br /> considered ideal for facing a dam where wave action can be intense. In the early 1980's a company <br /> headquartered in Minnesota entered the site and mined for a short while. Unfortunately, the cost of <br /> mitring and processing was so high they could not make a profit. The operation presented in this <br /> permit application is designed differently and is intended to avoid the mistakes of the past that <br /> limited profitability and resulted in abandonment. <br /> Castle Concrete actually has mined on Table Mountain in the past. This occurred in the late <br /> 1960's when a rather small operation was conducted on the northeastern corner of what will be <br /> Phase 2 in this permit. But that operation was a highly specialized operation and was short lived. <br /> Existing Conditions <br /> Much of the site, especially Phase 2, is undisturbed. Approximately half of Phase 1 is also <br /> undisturbed except for a few scattered exploratory pits conducted long ago. The quarry itself is not <br /> in terrible condition, but little reclamation has been implemented. In fact, after the previous <br /> operator abandoned the site it does not appear there was an attempt to reclaim the site, but rather <br /> Table Mountain Quarry - Castle Concrete Company Exhibit D Page D-1 <br />