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<br />EXHIBIT G <br />WATER INFORMATION <br /> <br />The operation of Tailings Pond No. 4 involves a dewatering process. The <br />inner pond area has two decants which are utilized for drainage of clear water <br />from the pond. The water travels through the decant inlet, underneath the pond via <br />a decant line and out through the decant line valve. From here the water is directed <br />to a series of three settling ponds, increasing its retention time before it enters <br />a nearby live stream, the Animas River.l <br />Inactive Tailings Pond No. 1 was a potential source of pollution to surface <br />water systems as a result of surface water runoff. Snowmelt and rain water runoff <br />from surrounding hillsides was the cause of this potential. The tailing:; pond was <br />constructed so at least one side was situated against a hillside. This was done to <br />insure stability in the pond and because of space limitations. The topoF;raphy <br />•utrounding this operation is extremely rugged, and flat stable space is rare. As <br />a result of the pond location, water runoff from the adjacent hillside runs on to <br />the tailings pond surface. The fine material in the pond center is easily eroded <br />and subsequently a source of surface water pollution. <br />The problem on Pond A'o. 1 of erosion due to surface runoff from adjacent hill- <br />sides was alleviated by construction of a diversion ditch. (See map and cross <br />sectional sketch.) The ditch is located on the hillside above the pond surface. <br />This ditch now intercepts all water runoff and directs it into a natural drainage <br />stem around the pond. Precipitation which falls directly on the pond is contained <br />by absorbtion. <br />Tailings Pond No. 1 was the only pond having a noticeable runoff problem. <br />Ponds No. 2 and No. 3 are situated such that natural drainage systems of the area <br />divert surface water runoff of adjacent hillsides from the pond surfaces. Tailings <br />Pond No. 4 is located such that the slope of the adjacent hill is level e~iough <br />that no surface runoff occurs. However, to insure the present and future stability <br />of Tailings Ponds No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4, surface runoff will be mechanicsilly di- <br />verted by the construction of diversion ditches also. <br />Water requirements: Milling: Flow rate - 1000 gpm <br />Maximum annual volume- 4.32 x 108 gallons <br />Reclamation: Flow rate - 375 gpm <br />Maximum annual volume - 8.1 x 106 gallons <br />lAt present there is no point discharge into the Animas River due to settling pond <br />porosity. <br />-26- <br />