2011-07-13_REPORT - C1981008 (9)

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Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engin LLC August 12, 2010 Mr. Ross Cub lot Western Fuels Colorado LLC Box (5 Nue la Colorado 81424 Subject; Soil Suitability Study New Horizon Mine Walsh Project No, 9004122.0001.010 Dear Mr. Ciubka: Walsh Environmental Scientists & Engineers, LLC (Walsh) has performed a limited Soil investigation at the New Horizon Mine in Nue la, Colorado. Work was conducted under contract to Western Fuels - Colorado LLC (WFC). This letter describes investigation techniques and resutts, The investigation was patterned alter your request for services dated July 5, 2010 and revised July 12. 2010, and Notice olViolation (NOV) CV-2010-003 issued by the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology. Walsh inspected the site with assistance of WFC personnel, and inspected previously-excavated sod pits. There were four types of inspections performed, three were to address NOV Steps Necessary to hate Violation outlined in the NOV, and one type was to provide additional information to WIT. These four inspections are described in the following sections. NO Step 1 This step required resat topsoil placed on the Lloyd properly for calcium carbonate {CaCO3), selenium, and coarse fragments. Pits excavated by WFC at the previous sampling locations were inspected by Walsh. Each pit was inspected by sweeping °flit face of the pit, measuring the depth of the pit and marking the apparent topsoil depth, visually estimating the percent boulders, stones, and cobbles usine, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) criteria, obtaining a Rill-thickness topsoil sample and placing it into a graduated sieve with a 2-millimeter ti not sieve size, and sieving the soil into a bottom pan. A sample of the soil was moistened and manipulated to estimate field texture based on USDA criteria. Color of the soil was compared to a Munsell soil chart and recorded. The volume percent of soil being caught in the 2-mm and larger sieves was estimated, the sieve pans and excavation were photographed, and two samples of the less than 2 min fraction wee obtained for laboratory analyses, No boulders (>25 inches) were observed in any soil pit. All field data were recorded on field data sheets, copies of which are attached to this letter. Samples were analyzed for selenium by Key Laboratories of Grand Junction, Colorado, and calcium carbonate by Servi-Tech Labs of Hastings, Nebraska, with the results recorded in Table I. Sample TS- 95 (from the Lloyd property, where Mixed Topsoil is being used) appeared to have more than the recorded 13 inches of topsoil, so an additional deeper sample (TS-95B) was token from 13 w 26 inches below surface, which was the apparent thickness of topsoil at that location. Sample TS-95B was within the Single Lift Topsoil criteria, demonstrating that the topsoil at this location is 26 inches deep. In addition another sample point. TS-102 was added by WFC. These additional locations were also western Slope Diviiion: 53.5(imnd Aventw lunctinri, Colorado 51501-2790 . !toile .l 24 1 , FAX ic.)76) 241,4312 , walshenv.coni Corporate Office: 41-3SS Pear F...ns1 Circle, Suile 10F , floulder, Colonolo 9'601-2475 , Phone (303) +13-3282 . FAX 30:3) 443-0367