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~~ - ` r - i EXHIBIT D & E _ _,_ ~ -i;:EtVED FFB 2 2 2000 Prather Gravel Pit Expansion _._., ~~ m~nerale&Geology Mining Plan The Prather Gravel pit is an existing 6.00 acre mine. As the Eastern most source of gravel in Rio Blanco County, the resource within the permit boundary is nearing exhaustion. Mr. Prather preserved the right to the 41.06 acre parcel adjoining this resource for one main purpose, gravel. At this time, Rio Blanco County is in need of developing the resource to continue the level of cost effective maintenance provided by a localized source to the azea. The existing gravel pit (6.00 acres) overlaps into the reserved Prather parcel (41.06 acres). This overlap consists of 3.47 acres of the total aforementioned 6.00 acres. Therefore, the expansion equates to 41.06 acres minus the 3.47 acres or 37.59 acres net. The proposed method of extracting this resource would be to move west from the existing face to the northwest. The topsoil stripped from the first phase would be used to replenish the depleted topsoil available for reclaiming the existing mine face below 6950 contour and above the 6975 contour. A bench presently exists within the existing mine that would be required for mining and processing equipment staging along with stockpiling of finished product. The mining will proceed Northwesterly until such time the mining operation can be moved to a position behind or North of and significantly below the berm shown on the mining plan.. The purpose in moving the operations site not only helps the operator but should reduce the dust, noise, and visual impact to the White River Valley to the South. Another berm is designed into the South and Southeast area of the mine that will improve on this approach further. A major concern of the operation is to improve upon the existing conditions of the mine site and improve the aesthetics of the area involved. Reclamation will be phased in over the life of the mine in all azeas not required for equipment staging or stockpiling. The central azea of the mine will probably be used for the majority of the mine life. The outer limits mined at a 3:1 side slope will be the primary areas eligible for phased reclamation. Access to the expansion will be provided by an extension to the existing access. Some minor improvements may be made to the existing access during the life of the mine to improve all weather access and/or reduce dust. The existing power line was installed to operate various crushing equipment. The phased mining operation may require relocation modifications to this line during the mine life. Normal and customary equipment will be used to mine and process the material. This will include; dozers, scrapers, loaders, crushers and conveyors. The gravel bed lies under a shallow layer of 6 to 8 inches of topsoil. Estimated depth of the resource averages 50 feet depth. Past experience from this from this mine shows material extraction to vary from a five hundred to 30,000 tons of material per year. The road system served by this source totals approximately 90 miles. Annual average estimates are believed to be about 15,000 tons. The life expectancy of this grave pit to approximately 40 to 50 years.