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Page 11 <br />May 5, 2009 <br />Mine area. In addition, sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, selenium, and uranium show <br />increased levels, generally two or more times greater in the 2007 and 2008 samples compared to the <br />1993 BLM samples. Sulfate, in particular, exhibits concentrations 180 mg/L higher in the December <br />2008 sample compared to one of the August 1993 BLM samples. Conversely, arsenic concentrations <br />and radium-226 activity levels in the 2007/2008 samples are at least 10 times less than the 1993 levels. <br />Assuming appropriate sampling quality control measures were practiced, the difference in <br />concentrations may be due to differences in the climate and hydrologic regime, dilution effects related <br />to flow rates, and field and laboratory methods used. <br />A review of PR Spring and Lumsden Canyon Mouth water quality data reveal significant differences in <br />TDS, and common ions. The Lumsden Canyon Mouth water has a TDS concentration of <br />approximately 100 mg/L greater than the PR Spring sample. This is primarily due to higher <br />concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfate. Chloride, a particularly conservative <br />metal, shows concentrations at PR Spring are consistent and are in the range of the most recent samples <br />collected at the Lumsden Canyon Mouth site. Other metals concentrations, primarily arsenic, selenium <br />and uranium, are of considerable higher concentrations in the PR Spring water. Also, uranium metal <br />concentrations and uranium and radium activities are considerably higher in the PR Spring water <br />samples. <br />It is apparent that while the PR Spring water reflects a mineralized source, the overall water quality of <br />the Lumsden Canyon Mouth site is of higher TDS, reflected by the increase in common ions. The water <br />quality at the Lumsden Canyon Mouth site implies a relatively long residence time exposed to the <br />alluvium and bedrock of Lumsden Canyon. The presence of metals and radionuclides in the Lumsden <br />Canyon Mouth water may be the combined result of upgradient water sources such as PR Spring, and <br />ore materials in the alluvium from erosion of upgradient mine dumps. <br />Monitoring Well MW-WI <br />Water quality data for monitoring well MW-W I is shown in Table 2. In general, the data indicate that <br />groundwater at MW-WI is of sodium bicarbonate type. Chloride and sulfate concentrations are <br />relatively high, but metals, with the exception of uranium, are of low concentrations. The data also <br />indicate that TDS and elemental concentrations have been decreasing with each sample collected. This <br />indicates that the well is continuing to develop with each pumping event associated with sampling <br />procedures. <br />Groundwater Type and Potential Evolution <br />A Piper diagram was prepared for the various sampling site data from the Whirlwind Mine area. This <br />diagram is shown in Figure 3. The plotted data represent the average concentrations for the elements <br />shown for data presented in Table 2 and other data provided by EFR in the quarterly reports and permit <br />documents. The Piper plot shows the proportion or relative abundance of common ion elements and <br />compounds in percent milliequivalents per liter (meq/L) for each sample plotted. <br />Figure 3 shows two general groups of water chemistries that are identified by distinct proportions of <br />calcium and sodium. The plot indicates the basic water types of calcium bicarbonate and sodium <br />bicarbonate are present in the Whirlwind Mine area. These two main water types correlate with source <br />water occurrences from the Burro Canyon/Upper Brushy Basin Formations (calcium bicarbonate <br />water) and the Lower Brushy Basin Member (sodium bicarbonate water). The Burro Canyon/Upper <br />Brushy Basin sites include DP Spring (DPS), the BLM well (BLMW), the Cherokee wells (CW), <br />Lumsden Canyon UP (LCUP), and Lumsden Canyon DN (LCDN). The Lower Brushy Basin sites <br />Weans032709.doc