Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Exhibit E <br />Reclamation Plan <br />The goal of reclamation at Mesita Hill is to restore the affe <br />p EC FEE W F 0 <br />DEC 14 2010 <br />DURANGO FIELD OFFICE <br />DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, <br />MINING AND SAFETY <br />cted land to ranaeland <br />and wildlife habitat similar to its use prior to mining and the use of the <br />surrounding land. <br />Mining activity at Mesita Hill has been completed and the property is in final <br />reclamation. The original reclamation plan envisioned backfilling mined-out <br />areas, grading to a 3:1 slope, replacement of soil and seeding with a grass seed <br />mixture. As the reclamation work was being carried out, some modifications to <br />the planned work were made in consultation with Colorado DRMS due to site <br />conditions. <br />Grading <br />During the period of active mining operations, the soil cover was stripped and <br />stockpiled. Stockpiles were placed in areas outside the perimeter of the orebody <br />so that it would not need to be disturbed again prior to use in reclamation. Mined <br />out areas were partially backfilled concurrent with active mining operations using <br />unusable materials produced during the mining and processing activities. <br />Final grading and soil replacement activities were undertaken during the 2007 <br />and 2008. <br />Approximately 25,000 yards of volcanic scoria were moved from the stockpile <br />locations towards the center of the mined out pit and used as backfill for the pit. <br />The scoria was graded to a maximum 3:1 slope. The backfill was compacted <br />somewhat as it was placed and graded by the earthmoving equipment. In <br />several locations, near vertical outcrops up to 20 feet high were left intact which <br />provide nesting places for birds. <br />Approximately 15,000 yards of soil were moved from the stockpile location and <br />placed as a cover over the scoria. Not enough soil was available to cover the <br />entire area, so it was spread in a mosaic pattern on the disturbed areas. The <br />final surface was left rough in order to provide places for seed and moisture to <br />collect. <br />Equipment used for grading consisted of a 3 yd. Cat 950 loader, a Cat D8k <br />bulldozer with a semi-U blade and a Cat D7 bulldozer with a straight blade. <br />Typical distances for material movement were 50 - 125 yards with an average of <br />80 yards.