2012-04-23_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981013

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The rock strata in the region can contain groundwater, but are not a significant source of water in the area of the mine. Typically, bedrock groundwater is perched and usable sources are unreliable for most uses. Igneous intrusions can cause impermeable boundaries that act as barriers to groundwater migration. The Purgatoire River is the main surface water drainage in the region. Its headwaters originate west of the mine in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Eventually, the Purgatoire River flows into the Arkansas River near Las Animas, Colorado, and approximately 120 miles northeast of the Golden Eagle Mine. The Purgatoire River and its alluvial aquifer are significant sources of water in the mine area. Portions of Apache Canyon, Santistevan Canyon, Wet Canyon, and Ciruela Canyon are, or were at one time, located within the Golden Eagle permit area. With the exception of Wet Canyon, which is perennial, these drainages are intermittent. The climate of the region is characterized as semi-arid. The prevailing winds come from the southwest and the mean annual precipitation is 16.9 inches. The length of the growing season ranges from 90-110 days in the region. Vegetation communities are diverse, ranging from low grassland communities in the valleys to pinyon/juniper/oak brush and coniferous forest in the higher elevations. Soils in the area can be shallow or non-existent on the steep, south facing slopes, but are well-drained loams in the valleys bottom along the Purgatoire River. The Golden Eagle Mine is in permanent cessation and with the approval of bond release SL-06, all areas have received final release with the exception of 1.2 acres of the reclaimed Northwest Ventilation shaft remaining within the permit area. This small permit area is generally located within the NE 1/4 SE 1/4 Section 19, Township 33 South, Range 67 West of the Sixth Principle Meridian ¼ mile north of Highway 12. A review of the enforcement actions issued since the last Permit Renewal (RN-05) found that no enforcement actions taken since the last Permit Renewal (RN-05). SECTION II – REVISIONS TO THE PERMIT The following is a summary of the revisions to the permit since the Permit Renewal No. 5 Findings Document dated May 8, 2009. Revision No. Approval date Nature of revision MR-84 03/02/2010 Update Section 2.03.4 Identification of Interests SECTION III – STATUS OF STIPULATIONS The stipulation history for the Golden Eagle Mine was reviewed as part of the mid-term review process. The following is a discussion of the stipulations that were noted as active, or issued as a result of the last permit renewal (RN-05). The review included investigation of the stipulation response file, revisions to the permit, and the findings document for RN-05. Stipulations are a binding part of the permit and previously assigned stipulation numbers are not re-used. Any Golden Eagle Mine -4- 4/4/2012