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0 <br />• Hard Rock/Metal Mining Permit Application s> <br />Limited Impact Designated Mining Operation (110(d)) 42189 <br />Venture Resources, Inc. - Hukill Gulch Millsite C 7 27 <br />Revision l: July 27, 2010 9 '• rl <br />0cES'••..•••••' <br />Exhibit T - Environmental Protection Plan <br />6.4.20 Summary <br />The proposed Venture Resources Hukill Gulch Millsite project will be involved in operating a mil ral pro essing <br />mill and constructing a tailings impoundment to begin cleaning up and processing pre-existing abandoned mine <br />waste rock and/or ore for trace precious metal content and environmental remediation. <br />The CO DMG has done extensive work in analyzing the abandoned mine waste rock problem in this vicinity and <br />produced the "Reclamation Feasibility Report - Virginia Canyon", December 2001 (attached in Exhibit Q. Prior to <br />that, the EPA also has analyzed the situation, and a summary can be found in their EPA Record of Decision, ROD <br />R08-88/019, 1988 (attached in Exhibit Q. This project has the potential to be the premier solution to mitigate this <br />problem. <br />The reason for applying under Designated Mining Operation criteria is very distinct and should be kept in the <br />forefront of thought during evaluation: <br />1. There is approximately 8,000 tons of pre-existing mule waste rock to be processed within the affected area <br />of the Tailings Impoundment. Its initial disturbance justifies consideration of a Designated Muting <br />Operation. However, once processed, the resultant tailings are analyzed to be essentially inert and NON- <br />acid forming. A very positive net benefit. <br />2. There is limited (200 ton) stockpile storage of feedstock located at the Mobile Mill Site. Because of the <br />storage of potentially acid forming material, a Designated Mining Operation evaluation is prudent. It shall <br />be demonstrated in this application that careful engineering design has been applied to mitigate this <br />is potential. <br />3. NO designated chemicals are used in the proposed mining operation or mineral processing. A process <br />description can be found in Exhibit C. <br />Venture Resources wishes to appeal to the DBMS Office and Board to recognize this and apply the provisions set <br />forth in 6.4.20(e) which states: <br />The Board shall also consider current or pre-existing conditions and the degree to which the <br />proposed plan would provide for net improvements in the protection of human health, <br />property, or the environment. <br />This project extracts nearly all of the acid-forming minerals in waste rock that are the source of acid-runoff that <br />plague this historic mining district. By doing nothing, these piles of pre-existing waste rock will continue to leach <br />acid and heavy metals for a very, very long time. But, by designing a carefully regulated and engineered program a <br />solution can be achieved. Along with the environmental benefits of this cleanup, new employment opportunities <br />and increased business within the local economy will develop. <br />6.4.20(1)(c)(i) <br />This proposed operation does not perform any cyanide leaching, and there are no pre-existing heap leaching areas <br />within the Ownership Boundary of Exhibit A. <br />6.4.20(1)(c)(ii) <br />The proposed tailings storage from this Operation's mineral processing produces an essentially inert waste product. <br />Refer to the waste stream characterization included within Exhibit C. <br />Located within the area of the proposed Tailings Impoundment, there currently are 8,000 tons of pre-existing <br />• abandoned mine waste rock. Part of the proposed operations, set forth in Exhibit C, is to remove and process this <br />material and re-impound it in a measured and regulated manner. <br />tt- '14 <br />Page I of 31