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We learned on www.wildcatmines.com, "Webster's dictionary defines the term "wildcat" as <br />"any business or procedure or the like considered outside the bounds of legitimate practice". Mines <br />that were abandoned by bigger companies or those that had played out became known as "Wildcat <br />Miners" and their diggings as "Wildcat Mines"." They go on to describe a "Typical Wildcat Mine" as: <br />"All over the Mother lode and the Sierra mountains, along roads or "back in the brush" one can find <br />abandoned shafts and holes. They don't seem to go into the earth veryfar, and there are no signs of <br />buildings, head frames or industrial equipment in the area. These holes are all that is left of a <br />wildcat mine. The typical wildcat operation was worked by two to six men.".... "The shafts-either <br />vertical or horizontal followed a vein of quartz found at the surface. Cribbing or supports in the <br />shaft were minimal and often consisted of chunks of trees and old used timbers from other mines. <br />Needless to say, with only a few men working at the site, they didn't want to waste valuable time <br />and effort shoring up the shaft when they could be digging for the big strike! Because the shafts <br />were not shored up very well, most of them have now caved in." <br />Sound familiar? But this was the "norm" for the late 1800's, shouldn't it be different now? <br />We respect fully the fact that WMC has a right to profit from gold - or tellurium- mining and that <br />a legal permit already exists for mining operations at the Mayday Mine (M1981185), but that <br />right/privilege has to occur within the range of acceptable activities as defined by overseeing <br />government organizations. Laws, rules and regulations have been established not only to protect those <br />involved with mining activities, but also the neighborhood, all those that enjoy La Plata Canyon and the <br />environment. Given the number of infractions already committed by the activity of Wildcat Mining <br />Corporation, including "the unpermitted portal outside the approved permitted boundaries <br />undermining the access road to the Incas Mine", the question remains; at what point does this activity <br />and lack of respect for governing agencies become criminal? The fact of the t 10 acres being as raped as <br />they were leaves great fear and apprehension as to the potential damage that will occur on the 264.8 <br />acres requested and over now 10 years rather than the original five. <br />With its history of transgressions, we oppose the approval of further activity at the "Mayday Idaho Mine <br />Complex", or even at either of the individual mines by Wildcat Mining Corporation. <br />Sincerely, <br />l.rY C-t (...? ,? <br />Ken & Veniece Fagerlin