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Reclamation Feasibility Report - Virginia Canyon <br />• <br />There may be additional water that infiltrates into the mine workings from a collapsed stope near the <br />• uppermost shaft of the Crystal mine. This stope collapsed in the road drainage ditch during the <br />spring of 1996. The stope has subsequently filled with sediments, but there may be some infiltration <br />into the mine workings. <br />Reclamation Measures <br />There are several reclamation measures that should be done at this site. The highest priority should <br />be placed upon stopping the road drainage from entering the open stope under the upper road. <br />Currently, the road crosses this stope on a bridge. A structural closure that will prevent water <br />inflows should be constructed over the stope. In addition, the road drainage at this location should <br />be improved to prevent runoff from flowing across the road onto waste pile #23. As a preventative <br />measure, it is suggested that limestone by placed in the stope to help neutralize mine drainage due <br />to infiltration of local groundwater. <br />The collapsed stope in the road below the upper shaft should be excavated, then the excavated <br />material should be mixed with fly ash and kiln dust to form a cemented plug. This should reduce <br />infiltration from the road drainage ditch. <br />If the road drainage issues are addressed, waste pile #23 should require no action. <br />Waste Pile #24 is located in an ephemeral drainage. The recommended reclamation measure is to <br />construct diversion ditches on both sides of the pile. In addition, a small catchment pond should be <br />constructed at the base to settle out erosion from incidental precipitation. <br />• <br />45