Reclamation Studies Summary

Reclamation

Reclamation TITLE: Final Open Pit Wall Coloration RELEASE DATE: January 2010 PREPARED BY: Tetra Tech TITLE: Reclamation Concept Update RELEASE DATE: March 2010 PREPARED BY: Tetra Tech Brief Summary: During operations, the Rosemont Copper project is committed to concurrent reclamation, which includes contouring and re-vegetation of the outer slopes of the facilities that make up the Rosemont Ridge Landform (waste rock from the Open Pit, and a closed Heap Leach Facility and a Dry Stack Tailings Facility both encapsulated with waste rock). At the end of the mine life, final reclamation of the site will include demolition and closure of the plant site facilities and final re-grading and re-vegetation of the Rosemont Ridge Landform, which will remain along with the Open Pit, access roads, and the graded plant site area. In summary, the Rosemont Ridge Landform was designed with the following features: areas of enhanced vegetation growth and wildlife habitat; areas of slope protection and visual mitigation; ranching areas within the Landform; and areas of small hills to mimic the natural environment.

Reclamation studies support closure planning and provide a technical basis for reseeding the Rosemont project site from construction to the conclusion of operations.

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TITLE: UA Final Report for Phase 1 RELEASE DATE: July 2007 PREPARED BY: Jeffreys S. Fehmi, University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources Brief Summary: The Rosemont Copper reclamation effort aims to prevent soil loss, reclaim the site’s capacity for productive use, and support a higher functioning plant community. The uplands around Rosemont are not currently at their highest potential as a plant community which was caused by a combination of fire suppression, grazing, and human habitation. A mix of seeds was proposed to reclaim the site to a condition representing the ideal plant community -- a total of 29 species of seeds were chosen. Three rainfall scenarios and two soil/ surface options were studied. Other recommendations from the University of Arizona School of Natural

TITLE: U A Phase II Preliminary (in progress) Report V1 RELEASE DATE: March 2008 PREPARED BY: Jeffrey S. Fehmi, University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources Brief Summary: This report was prepared by the University of Arizona and contains preliminary results of Phase II of the mine reclamation test work. After the rainfall scenario was completed, the plants were harvested, separated by species, dried, weighed, and analyzed before the report was prepared.

Of the three soil types (Arkose, Gila, and Glance), Arkose had the lowest germination averaged across the rainfall scenarios but had the highest germination in the low rainfall-no amendment combination. Germination was lower with amendments than without while plant vigor appeared higher with amendments. A separate amendment trial appeared to give similar results.

TITLE: Update to the Arizona Mined Land Reclamation Plan Reclamation Test Plots RELEASE DATE: July 2009 PREPARED BY: Rosemont Copper Brief Summary: This Rosemont update reviews the University of Arizona’s field testing of seed mixes and reclamation techniques on two test plots – the only large surface disturbance prior to construction.

Each test plot will disturb no more than five acres and each will be cleared and grubbed and topsoil removed as necessary. Once complete, plots will be divided into two, two-acre test plots. Each of the subdivisions will be divided further to test soil placement, seed introduction, and other seeding information.

Rosemont will provide financial assurance to cover the incremental surface disturbance for reclamation test work.

TITLE: Waste Rock Storage Area Stability Analysis RELEASE DATE: March 2010 PREPARED BY: Tetra Tech

TITLE: Rosemont Exploration and Reclamation Summary RELEASE DATE: August 2010 PREPARED BY: Rosemont Copper Brief Summary: This Rosemont summary of 2009 reclamation work due to drilling activities of 2008 and reclamation research for the Rosemont project include: • One exploration drill rig completed 20 diamond drill holes; all of the drill pads were reclaimed.

• Three reverse circulation drill rigs completed 30 hydrogeologic characterization wells; 29 of the drill pads were reclaimed.

• Three different rigs completed 15 geotechnical holes; all of the drill pads were reclaimed.

During the summer and fall of 2009, reclamation test plots were constructed for a re-vegetation study conducted by the University of Arizona, which disturbed more than five acres and was reclaimed as identified in the Reclamation Plan.

Arizona State Mine Inspector

Resources include initiating an invasive species survey and invasive species management plan on the mine site.

TITLE: U A Phase II Final Report RELEASE DATE: December 2008 PREPARED BY: Jeffrey S. Fehmi, Taryn M. Kong, and Leslie Wood, University of Arizona School of Natural Resources Brief Summary: In a greenhouse study of reclamation options, four seed mixes, three soil types, three rainfall scenarios, and three amendment treatments were tested. The University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources found that the ideal combination for reclamation is to seed the selected species mix on Gila or Glance soils with average or high rainfall, and amend with tackified straw.

TITLE: Rosemont Ranch Reclamation Plan for a Proposed Hard Rock Mine Site RELEASE DATE: May 2009 PREPARED BY: Arizona State Mine Inspector Brief Summary: The letter from the Arizona State Mine Inspector advises that the Rosemont project meets the requirements of the Mined Land Reclamation Act and Rules and the plan approval criteria established in A.R.S. Title 27, Chapter 5. During this process, any person who may be adversely affected by the plan may file written comments on the plan within fifteen days of publication or to request public meetings.

TITLE: Rosemont Copper Reclamation Plan Approval of a Proposed Hard Rock Mine Site RELEASE DATE: July 2009 PREPARED BY: Arizona State Mine Inspector Brief Summary: The letter from the Arizona State Mine Inspector confirms that the Rosemont project meets the applicable requirements of the Mined Land Reclamation Act and Rules and the plan approval criteria established under A.R.S. Title 27, Chapter five. The plan approval establishes the due date for submittal of a financial assurance mechanism and the plan anniversary date.

Reclamation Concept Volumes for Posting TITLE: Appendices through Figure Set 3 from Reclamation Concept Update RELEASE DATE: March 2010 PREPARED BY: Tetra Tech TITLE: Survey of Salvage Topsoil Resources for the Rosemont Mining Area – Revision 1 RELEASE DATE: November 2010 rosemont copper

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PREPARED BY: Tetra Tech Brief Summary: Tetra Tech completed soil resource assessments in 2007 and 2010 within the vicinity of the proposed Rosemont Copper project. The assessment areas included potential disturbance areas (including buffer areas) associated with the alternatives being considered in the Environmental Impact Statement and was conducted to support reclamation planning. Survey methods included: data review; field investigations; sample collection; laboratory analyses; soil map unit development; and soil suitability for reclamation. The need for topsoil salvage to the maximum depth of available material will depend on the requirements of the final reclamation plan. A comprehensive review indicated substantial reserves of unconsolidated and weathered bedrock. The southwestern portion of the survey area also contains deep deposits of remnant terrace materials and highly weathered Willow Creek Formation bedrock. Borings, test pits, or geophysical surveys have not been done in the northern portion of 32

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the survey area to verify the potential presence of these deeper reclamation materials.