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Under current conditions, large -scale dredging in the outwash plain and selective mining in the <br />moraines are the only feasible mining methods to be employed at this placer. As is typical, the <br />economics between the commodity prices and operating costs are prime factors in determining if the <br />gold is feasible to mine. If sand and gravel is sold from this operation, it would be helpful in managing <br />the overburden and also likely decrease most operating costs. <br />The limits of the workable area within the Fairplay Placer are partially known and have been <br />determined within the outwash plain. No workable ground is likely to exist south and east of the NE 1 /4 <br />of Section 10. To the northwest, a substantial area of good gravel remains in sections 4 and 33 between <br />the dredged area and the toe of the moraine. <br />A review of this authoritative report would lead to the conclusion that placer gold in paying quantities <br />is probable. Without implementation of a small scale mining operation it would be difficult to prove or <br />disprove this assumption. It is apparent from a review of the geology that any gold deposits are likely <br />to be discontinuous and may occur at one or more levels in a pit. <br />Environmental Effects <br />Proposed Action <br />Direct and Indirect Impacts: Currently, it is anticipated that gold reserves in this area are likely. <br />Therefore, the proposed action would contribute a small amount of gold to the national market. The <br />sand and gravel is more plentiful and therefore mining these materials in addition to the gold would <br />most likely not cause impacts above and beyond the gold operation. <br />Cumulative Impacts: Currently there are approximately five active mines permitted with <br />CDRMS located within the same local region as the proposed mine (Figure 10). All of these operations <br />are mining sand and gravel, but two of them are also mining gold. Most of the present day mining has <br />been occurring in this area since the early 1980's. Gold is a valuable resource that has is not <br />widespread in its occurrence, which limits the ability of a mining operation to be completely selective <br />in mining locations. Although the gold resources in the United States are only a small portion of global <br />gold resources, any stateside gold extraction helps contribute to the United States supply and global <br />market. <br />22 <br />