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RECEIVED APR.3 0 2001 Division of Minerals and Geology COALDALE GYPSUM MUVE M-77-247 ANNUAL REPORT NARRATIVE Year 2000 field operations were executed per schedule as set in the 1997 amendment to mining and reclamation permit M-77-247. This third full season of closure work entertained the removal of mining faces and highwalls in the Copper Hill azea, encompassing 20 acres ofhighwall removal via drilling, blasting, bulldozer, and excavator operation to result in a stabilized rock slope of no greater than 1:1. The final grading plan over 90% of the Copper Hill Area resulted in slopes no greater than 1.5 : 1 utilizing contour rill ditches as sites for grass and shrub establishment and effective long teen erosion control and water intercept structures. More than 200,000 tons of gypsum, sandstone, and shale was drilled, shot, and/or bulldozed during the 2000 field season. Final grading operations were performed on 85% of the original Copper Hill hghwall zone, effectively removing the largest hghwall feature at the site. In addition to hghwall removal and grading efforts, 40 acres of land sitewide was planted with native seed mix and mulched for support of grass and shrub establishment. 2000 tree and shrub seedlings were planted over the 40 acres of land having irrigation coverage for seedling maintenance and an additional 15 acres of land under revegetation operations had irrigation coverage extended and tree and shrub plantings during the 2000 field season. Sitewide, more than 1200 pounds of seed mix and 90 tons of straw mulch was distributed. Loose rock and soils were removed from the Gold Hill Highwall area via high pressure water application, drilling and blasting operations as necessary. Work continued on safety ropes for two months at the later part of the summer/fall, with sizeable voiumes of soil and rock removed and now in a stable alluvium like fans located at the bottom of the Gold Hill area. During the coming field season, a completion of the rock and dirt work as outlined in the mine plan amendment will be performed, with additional and completion of grading, planting, and mulching operations in the North Ridge, Copper Hill slope, Copper Hill pit, main haulage corridor, Zinc Hill Highwall removal and final grading/seeding, and removal of crushing equipment and final sediment and stormwater control structures placed in the current crusher site. Additionally, we will continue to distribute seed and mulch sitewide to achieve revegetation of all disturbed acreage possible.