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GeoScience Services <br />Another important issue presented by the EPA report is the evaluation of the <br />neutralization of acid by the alkalinity released when the acid reacts with carbonate <br />minerals. According to the EPA, this reaction can bean "important" means of <br />moderating acid production. Salt Wash sandstones are commonly calcareous meaning <br />that calcium carbonate cements the sand grains together forming sandstones. Any acid <br />produced by pyrite would quickly be neutralized by the waste rock. <br />Samuling. To evaluate the potential for acid forming minerals at the Cotter Mines, <br />samples were taken from SM-18, JD-6, JD-8, and JD-9 waste rock and ore piles to <br />measure the acid generating potential of the ore and waste piles. Although the ore piles <br />will eventually be shipped off site for processing, they allow aworst-case evaluation of <br />the acid generating potential of the uranium deposits. Since reducing conditions are <br />responsible for the deposition of the uranium minerals, the same reducing conditions can <br />generate pyrite deposits. <br />The samples to determine acid mine drainage potential were collected from four of Cotter <br />Corporation's mine properties. Representative samples of ore material were collected <br />from the surface ore stockpile locations at the JD-6, JD-8, JD-9, and SM-18 mines. <br />Representative samples of waste material were also collected from the surface mine <br />waste dumps at the same mines. <br />Once collected each sample was split into two samples, resulting in two batches of ore <br />and waste material from each of the four mines. The first batch of samples was sent to <br />the Billings, Montana branch of Energy Labs Inc. The analyses performed there were <br />neutralization potential (NP ), acid potential (AP ), acid/base potential (NNP ), Uranium <br />%, and Vanadium %. <br />3 <br />2263 Singston Road <br />Grand Junction, CO 81503 <br />(970) 759-6709 <br />