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2001 - 2002 Vegetation Cover Sampling <br />Apex Mine <br />Introduction <br />Intermountain Resource Inventories Inc. conducted vegetation sampling for Greg <br />Lewicki and Associates under contract with Apex Mine - Sunland Mining Company, <br />Colorado. The purpose of sampling was to gain bond release on Apex Mine property <br />where revegetation adequacy success had been met. The entire site is included as <br />one unit. Vegetation sampling occurred June 11, 2001 through June 14, 2001 and June <br />13, 2002 through June 20, 2002. Plants had good form and vigor in relation to a given <br />years climatological data. In the summer of 2002, the area was experiencing a severe <br />drought. Vegetation density proved to be adequate, however, species diversity failed to <br />meet previously accepted standards. The Colorado Division of Mining and Geology, <br />under consultation with Mr. Lewicki, revised the standard for diversity and the <br />revegetated area met the new standards, see Attachment 5. Revegetation on reclaimed <br />lands was sampled by species for percent aerial cover, species diversity and <br />production. This study constitutes two consecutive studies, 2001 and 2002. There is no <br />reference area to be used in a success comparison. Reclaimed parameter values will <br />be compared against technical standards. <br />Study Area Description <br />Apex Mine is located near Oak Creek, Colorado (Attachment 1). <br />Sample Point Selection <br />A 50 x 50 ft. grid was drawn over the AutoCAD site map of the Apex Mine. Each point <br />of the grid that fell within the site was given a number, starting in the uppermost left <br />corner and labeled left to right then by row downward to the last point in the lowermost <br />right corner. This resulted in 44 points within the sample site area. A random number <br />generator was then used to generate 44 random numbers. These random numbers <br />were then sorted descending and then sorted by the 44 points. This generated random <br />order of sample points within the sample site. For instance, the uppermost left corner <br />was grid point one and when sorted against the random numbers became sample site <br />14, grid point 2 became sample site 34 etc. Sample points will be located in the field <br />through the use of a compass and pacing. Cover transacts will originate from sample <br />point locations. Sampling will start with sample point 1 and continue through ascending <br />sample points until sampling adequacy is reached. For production sampling, in which a <br />much greater number of samples will need to be collected, sample locations will be <br />drawn from a smaller {25 x 25 ft) grid using the same methodology. Approximate <br />sample locations will be marked on a map of the Apex Mine (Attachment 1 and 2). <br />These sample procedures were discussed with the Division prior to initiating any <br />sampling program. <br />Page 3 of 26 <br />August 23, 2002 <br />