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Comment 4 <br />Wastes, Hazardous or Solid: <br />• Potentially hazardous materials will be used during mining. <br />• Solid waste will be generated during these activities. <br />• Improper handling of these materials and wastes can affect the local environment. <br />• Hazardous materials found at the site include explosives and flammable or <br />combustible motor fuels. <br />• A 1, 000 gallon tank containing a dilute solution of magnesium chloride is <br />proposed to remain at site. <br />• Propane tank <br />• Waste Rock <br />Impacts associated with waste rock storage, including the potential for <br />rain-induced runoff events and other sediment loading attributed to <br />surface water runoff should be thoroughly examined in any environmental <br />assessment performed at the Whirlwind Mine site. Waste rock storage <br />currently proposed, would result in: <br />• The largest single disturbance at the Whirlwind site <br />(approximately 10 acres of disturbance) <br />potential storage of 900, 000 tons of uranium waste rock over the <br />life of the mine <br />• potential impacts to surface and ground water from leaching and <br />erosion of waste rock pile <br />• impacts to visual aesthetics <br />• Underground Disposal of Waste: <br />It is stated within the Plan of Operations that "some of the waste <br />produced during later development and production may be <br />disposed of underground, " <br />And that "... waste rock would be disposed of underground in <br />mined out areas. " <br />With respect to each of these aspects, we encourage the Division to require a <br />comprehensive mitigation and reclamation plan, so as to eliminate unanticipated <br />impacts. For instance, all waste rock and other ore-storage or disposal areas should be <br />lined and monitored for water quality impacts, including storm runoff events. Any spills <br />or contamination should be required to be immediately reported and mitigated. If such <br />accidents occur, a full review of the reclamation plan should commence to ensure against <br />additional problems. End of mine reclamation should require capping and re-vegetation <br />with native seeds or similar measures to permanently protect against future water quality <br />and other environmental impacts associated with long-term disposal. <br />T~?~e,°~~~~~ lair<l;; C{c:;i~a~-4~.°~: ~;'c~t~~~~~~-~~=i~3s~ ~~& Il~~i.~s~ 6~~tit~(ta~-~~r4i.. ~criit t~>'~fl 6 <br />