2011-03-14_REVISION - M1977493 (62)

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CM0001661 reclamation of the pond was to be coincidental with or subsequent to the end-of-life of • the Climax Mine. Unlike many mining operations, Climax has very senior and very valuable water rights in each of the three basins located on the mine property. Trans-divide conveyances also exist at the mine site. During the late 1980's and early 1990's when Climax remained in standby mode awaiting improved economic conditions in the molybdenum market, Climax began to evaluate the opportunities these water rights afforded. Climax also considered the future needs for production and the water handling facilities that would be required to meet projected production rates. At the time, the Oxide Pond appeared to be a resource no longer required in molybdenum production. Acceleration of the reclamation timetable was evaluated for conversion of the Oxide Pond to fresh water storage. Redevelopment of this water resource and its storage capabilities became the obvious next step. Prefeasibility evaluations began as early as 1989 looking into the overall water storage and delivery capabilities of the infrastructure located at Climax. In 1992, Clinton Reservoir was sold. A later agreement between Climax and Vail Associates was reached for tailing removal in Eagle Park. In that agreement, Vail would obtain storage rights in the reservoir for use in snowmaking. On February 18, 1993, Climax and the Division of Minerals and Geology discussed conversion of the reservoir. In November of 1993, a Technical Revision to the Climax Reclamation Permit was submitted. This Technical Revision described the initial tailing removal operation using engineered hydraulic monitoring and slurry pumping of the reservoir materials. Tailing removal commenced in June of 1994 using hydraulic mining methods. The removal method was redirected in the spring of 1995 as described in an April 1995 addendum to the Technical Revision. In that addendum, Climax outlined a second method of tailing removal using truck and shovel excavation. Project Description The following is a brief summary and status report for the activities that have taken place in the reservoir beginning in 1994: Tailing Relocation 1. Hydraulic Monitoring - (Commenced June 1994; suspended in October, 1994) High pressure water at 300-400 psi was used to suspend solids into a slurry. The slurry was then pumped overland, using a series of booster pump stations, through a fourteen inch HDPE pipeline to the existing tailing cutouts at the Tenmile Tailing Impoundment. Suspended materials were then settled in the Tenmile Tailing Pond. 2. Truck and Shovel - (Commenced April 1995; completed October 1996) The truck and shovel operation was conducted in three distinct phases. The first phase was initiated under a contract with Blattner & Sons of Avon, Minn. For several reasons, this contract was terminated in November of 1995. The 0