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Rimrock Exploration & Development, Inc. <br />J-Bird Uranium Mine/ DMO/ EPP Geochemical Data and Analysis <br />14.0 GEOCHEMICAL DATA AND ANALYSIS <br />Two samples were collected by B1ueRock personnel. Samples were collected at <br />appropriate, exposed faces from underground features that would ultimately comprise <br />either waste rock or ore recovered from the Mine. Raw data results are provided in <br />Attachment A and B. The results indicate that the material can generate leachate <br />containing elevated concentrations of certain elements. However, the material does not <br />indicate that it contains acid generating characteristics. <br />The results of the SPLP leachate analysis of the samples were compared to regulatory <br />limits that define whether the material is hazardous (based upon the leachate content), or <br />yields acidic character. In addition, the leachate results were compared to US EPA <br />guidance thresholds that define whether the material has transport ability to underlying <br />groundwater resources, or could pose a risk to exposed receptors. The following <br />summarizes geochemical analysis of sample results obtained to-date. <br />14.1 ACID GENERATING POTENTIAL <br />The ability of a material to produce acid is based upon three characteristics of the solid <br />materials; a) acid forming content, b) buffering capacity content, and c) ability for the <br />materials to solubilize. Acid forming materials can include non-metal elements such as <br />sulfur, nonmetal polyatomic anions such as sulfide, or even `electron lending' elements <br />that act as Lewis acids (i.e. mineral acids). Of environmental importance are the non- <br />metal elements and polyatomic complexes that lend acid mine drainage components that <br />lead to the formation of sulfuric acid. Thus, the amount of reactive sulfur is the most <br />critical acid forming component of concern with the Mine formations. Geologic <br />formations are also capable of `buffering' acids with counter-balancing anionic <br />complexes that either bind reactive sulfur, or bind free hydrogen. These buffering <br />complexes can include divalent metals, carbonate complexes, hydroxides, alumino- <br />silicates and others. The best environmental measures of true-buffering capacity include <br />paste pH, alkalinity, and bicarbonate/carbonate content as expressed in reactive units of <br />t/t material. The final characteristic of importance is the measure of solubility. While a <br />geologic formation may contain the `potential' to lend acid or buffering materials, these <br />materials are only of use if they are able to solubilize into solution and react. SPLP <br />analysis provides a good first indication of `solubility' potential. The SPLP analysis relies <br />on a dilute acid digestion process that was designed to mimic acid rain or acid snow melt <br />conditions. Thus, the SPLP leachate should reflect the solution character that would result <br />if the geologic formation were exposed to regional acid-rain type precipitation <br />21