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Results <br />In order to determine whether the Ruby Trust mine site would qualify as a designated mining <br />operation it is critical to understand if the materials managed by the mine release acid or toxic <br />producing substances (refer to definitions). Since the Ruby Trust is an underground mine that <br />disturbs rock formations that exhibit a dynamic geochemistry based on the mined materials, the <br />concern lies in understanding whether the mine-produced materials (waste rock, ore and <br />tailings) would yield acid or toxic substances to the environment. <br />There are several methods by which to determine whether or not the mine is producing these <br />types of substances. <br />Samples of solids (waste rock, ore and tailings) that represent mine operations can be <br />sampled and analyzed for acid- and toxic- characteristics. Solids can be analyzed to <br />determine the `leachable' character of metals from the solid matrix using SPLP extraction <br />methods. The results provide an indication of potentially toxic element mobility from <br />the solid matrix into a solution (i.e. leachate from a waste rock pile into the underlying <br />groundwater). Combined, with the SPLP analysis which yields an elutriate measurement <br />(in mg/L), the solids can be analyzed for total metals content in the solid matrix <br />(mg/kg). This information provides an indication of the total amount of each metal <br />within the solid matrix. In addition, the solids can be analyzed for acid-generation and <br />acid-neutralization potential using sulfur stoichiometric methods. These methods are <br />endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, US <br />Geological Survey and State Agencies (i.e. Arizona DEQ and Nevada Dept. of Env. <br />Protection) for use/application in the development of Mine Plan of Operations <br />approaches for waste rock/ore/tailings management methods, and mine reclamation <br />approaches. These acid-base accounting (ABA) parameters provide a measure of the acid <br />generation and acid neutralization ability of the samples collected. <br />Water quality (pH) gathered from the mine site point discharge can be used to <br />understand the underground `hydrologic' setting which is also an indicator of the mine <br />setting characteristics. The Ruby Trust maintains a Colorado Discharge Permit System <br />(CDPS), point source discharge permit for the water released from the mine portal. This <br />permit has been in place for approximately two years, and requires that certain water <br />quality parameters be collected as part of the permitting requirements. These <br />parameters include pH which can provide an indication of the water quality associated <br />with the geologic setting. <br />The results from the Ruby Trust solids sampling and previous water collection efforts for the <br />CDPS permit are provided and describe the following: <br />Table 1. Ruby Trust Solids Analysis, 2008 (C. Ponchak, 2008). <br />This Table provides the SPLP analysis of waste rock, ore and tailings samples collected <br />bu C. Ponchak in 2008. <br />3 1 P a g e