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MountRoyaleVenturesCashMineHydrology AdrianBrown <br />The groundwater table along the axis of the mine from the ridge to Gold Run Creek has been modeled, <br />as described in Attachment 1. The results of the groundwater levels resulting from dewatering are shown <br />in Figure 4b. These are generally compatible with the drawdown cone presented in Figure 2. <br />3. AMBIENT GROUNDWATER QUALITY <br />3.1 DRMS Request <br />6. 3.3 EXHIBIT C - Mining Plan, Section 8: Characterization of the ambient groundwater quality within <br />the Cash Mine. and surrounding area. <br />The Division agrees with MR V's discussion provided thus far of how MVR will maintain the integrity of <br />"ambient" groundwater quality at the Cash Mine for collection of 4 additional quarters worth of <br />baseline data in the midst of planned underground exploration and/or development activities. To <br />complete this discussion, the Division requests that MRV provide a representative cross sectional <br />diagram (or schematic) of the Cash Mine which shows the location of the baseline water'quality <br />sampling point and its relation to the Cash Mine shaft and current water level. To finalize this <br />discussion the Division requests that MRV state in writing that there is not expected to be any <br />hydrologic communication between the water in the Cash Mine shaft and the baseline groundwater <br />quality sampling point which would compromise the integrity of future groundwater quality sampling. <br />Please provide. <br />3.2 MRV Response <br />3.2.1 Protection of integrity of "ambient" groundwater quality - Development and Operational <br />Phase <br />The Cash Mine development protects ambient groundwater quality in the vicinity of the mine by acting <br />as a drain for all groundwater in the area immediately surrounding the mine. In order to access the <br />orebody, it will be necessary during the entire operation to maintain the water level in the mine below <br />the #3 Level (i.e. below approximately elevation 7833 ft amsl - Table 1). This will have the result of <br />always causing groundwater flow from the surrounding rock into the mine, thereby protecting the <br />integrity of "ambient" water quality in the surrounding bedrock groundwater system during operation. <br />The groundwater table contours presented in Figure 2 show that during operation flow is towards the <br />mine from all directions, even downhill. Thus no water can "escape" from the mine except by pumping <br />the mine as part of the dewatering actions. . <br />3.2.2 Monitoring of protection of "ambient" groundwater quality - Development and <br />Operational Phase <br />As the groundwater flow during operation is towards the mine from all directions, the groundwater <br />monitoring program will rely on water sampling from the mine pool. This water is typical of the water <br />inflow to the mine, which is in turn predominantly from naturally mineralized veins, which based on <br />visual inspection are the only significantly permeable materials in the entire rockmass. Accordingly, the <br />water flowing into the mine is somewhat modified by contact with the mineralized rock, resulting in <br />different water quality than exists in unmineralized rock in the area. <br />1601A-20060911 3