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The Board shall also consider current or pre-existing conditions and the degree to which the <br />proposed plan would provide for net improvements in the protection of human health, <br />property, or the environment. <br />This project extracts nearly all of the acid-forming minerals in waste rock that are the source of acid-runoff that <br />plague this historic mining district. By doing nothing, these piles of pre-existing waste rock will continue to leach <br />acid and heavy metals for a very, very long time. But, by designing a carefully regulated and engineered program a <br />solution can be achieved. Along with the environmental benefits of this cleanup, new employment opportunities <br />and increased business within the local economy will develop. <br />6.3.3(i)(a) <br />The proposed mining operation is scheduled to commence, pending permit issuance, November 1, 2009 and <br />terminate November 1, 2034. Operations may be conducted 24 hours/day. Depending on the success of the project <br />and status of Phase II operations as discussed above, the permit may be amended to extend the termination date. <br />6.3.3(1)(b) <br />Considering the nature of poor topsoil conditions at this site (0-2" Cathedral soil and virtually no accumulation of <br />true A horizon topsoil, as previously described in Exhibit B) it will be challenging to salvage any significant <br />quantities for future reclamation uses. Additionally, over 30% of the impoundment area is currently covered with <br />existing waste rock. Venture Resources is going to do our best in salvaging any native, Cathedral soil for <br />reclamation. This will be stored in the TopsoilBiosolids Staging Area shown in the Exhibit E drawings. <br />Within the Tailings Impoundment area, a great deal of the pre-existing surface is covered with abandoned mine <br />waste rock. Once this material is removed for processing, it will be re-impounded in the same place and reclamation <br />will proceed as outlined in Exhibit D. See Exhibit D for reclamation measures. <br />6.3.3(l)(c) <br />There is approximately 8,000 tons of abandoned mine waste rock located within the affected area of the Tailings <br />Impoundment (see Exhibit A & E). This material is in three loosely defined areas and the depth of waste rock in <br />these "piles" varies from several feet to twenty feet at the center of the stock-pile. The waste rock will be removed in <br />phases, commencing at the most downgradient location (next to the leachate collection barrier) and progressing <br />uphill. The processed tailings will be re-impounded in the same order. There is no overburden to be removed or <br />stockpiled as a result of the proposed operation. <br />6.3.3(l)(d) <br />There is no "traditional" deposit being mined as part of this operation. Abandoned mine waste rock that was <br />historically placed at the surface is being processed for trace precious metal content and removal of heavy metal <br />(acid funning) contaminants. A description of this is found above in 6.3.3(1)(c). A track-type excavator may be <br />employed to navigate the steep terrain to consolidate material to be more easily removed with a rubber-tired front- <br />end loader. The front-end loader and/or a dump trick will be employed to transport the material to the Mobile Mill <br />site. <br />6.3.3(l)(e) <br />There are several significant components of this operation that are locatable in Exhibit A & E. A description of each <br />follows, separated by the specific affected area. <br />Mobile Mill Site <br />Crusher Feed Pile - This is the location of a multiple day's stockpile of feedstock for the mobile crushing plant. A <br />maximum of 200 tons of material can be contained in this area for any period of time. The surface of this area is to <br />be concrete paved and sheltered with a roof to prevent any acidic run-off and potential seepage. Additionally, the <br />surface slopes '/4" - 1' towards the rear where a 10" wide x 48" high concrete wall provides a berm to contain any <br />residual moisture or sedimentation. The opened face of this structure shall be protected with a heavy canvas curtain <br />that can be closed during a rain/snow event. The surrounding grade will be sloped to ensure run-off will not enter <br />the structure. <br />Page 2 of 37