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-52- <br />• In response to a question that was asked, there were eight waste rock <br />samples, geochemically tested. We identified four distinct waste rock types <br />and from each type we tested two samples. A general test and also tried to <br />pick a worse case sample and composit that sample and test for it. We tested <br />two samples of heap leach ore, we tested two samples of the tailings <br />material. In addition, we tested three samples of combined tailings and waste <br />rock, since that will be the disposal method for the southern waste rock <br />tailings disposal area. We tested them through a number of tests. The test <br />that is in question is a test called the Humidity Cell Test. The Humidity <br />Cell Test is an eight to twelve week long test where you monitor the results <br />each week. In the case of the anamalous sample, the first week of the <br />Humidity Cell Test for the Santa Fe Conglomerate waste rock tailings material <br />showed a pH level of 3.01 and also indicated some anamalous high values and <br />some of the other parameters we tested. We continued to test that sample for <br />weeks 2 through weeks 12. In all cases we came up with pHs in the range of <br />7. I believe the lowest was 6.83 with the highest being 7.18. We did not <br />• show any measureable levels of acidity in the remaining eleven weeks that were <br />tested. We went to our geochemical expert, Dr. Smith, and asked him if he <br />would review the data and determine why this first week of sampling showed an <br />anamalous result. <br />He reviewed the data and it was his opinion that the result was based on <br />laboratory error. He further recommended that we re-test the Sainte Fe <br />Congolomerate material to see if we could duplicate that result and also that <br />we extend the test out to the full twelve week period rather than ending it at <br />week 8 or week 10. We have done both of those, the re-testing did not show <br />any low pHs in the first week. And going through to week 12 continued to <br />show it at a neutral ph. <br />Those results are in the permit up to week nine. I believe the last <br />three weeks results we've just received. <br />MR. HOLDER: Do you have any inkling of what might have happened in the <br />laboratory to cause that one sample to do what it did? <br /> <br />