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General Plan of Operations Resolution Copper Mining

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General Plan of Operations Resolution Copper Mining General Plan of Operations Resolution Copper Mining May 9, 2016 General Plan of Operations Page | iii Resolution Copper Mining Initial Submittal: November 2013 | Revised: September 23, 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME I General Plan of Operations ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................. xiv UNITS.......................................................................................................................................................... xvii 1. INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1 1.1. Project Title and Document Organization ................................................................................. 1 1.2. Location and Project Summary ................................................................................................. 3 1.3. Project Owner and Operator ..................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1. Applicant ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.2. Applicant Contact Information ................................................................................... 5 1.3.3. Land Status ................................................................................................................. 5 1.4. Project Background ................................................................................................................... 6 1.4.1. Resolution Project....................................................................................................... 6 1.4.2. History of Mining in the General Project Area ......................................................... 14 1.5. Proposed Operations ............................................................................................................... 15 1.6. Conformance with the Forest Plan .......................................................................................... 20 1.7. Permits and Approvals ............................................................................................................ 20 1.8. Project Schedule ...................................................................................................................... 25 1.8.1. Prefeasibility and Baseline Studies ........................................................................... 25 1.8.2. Engineering, Underground Characterization/Exploration, Permitting and Approvals .................................................................................................................................. 25 1.8.3. Construction and Mine Development ...................................................................... 26 1.8.4. Mine and Ore Processing Operations ....................................................................... 26 1.8.5. Closure and Post-Closure .......................................................................................... 26 2. SITE CONDITIONS ..................................................................................................................... 27 2.1. Climate and Air ........................................................................................................................ 27 2.1.1. Climate ...................................................................................................................... 27 2.1.2. Air .............................................................................................................................. 32 2.2. Geology .................................................................................................................................... 40 2.2.1. Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................. 40 2.2.2. Topography and Physiography ................................................................................. 41 2.2.3. General Geology ....................................................................................................... 43 2.2.4. Physical Characteristics of Geology .......................................................................... 50 2.2.5. Geochemistry ............................................................................................................ 50 2.2.6. Seismicity and Geologic Hazards .............................................................................. 58 2.3. Water ....................................................................................................................................... 60 2.3.1. Surface Water Resources .......................................................................................... 60 2.3.2. Groundwater Resources ........................................................................................... 66 2.4. Soils .......................................................................................................................................... 75 General Plan of Operations Page | iv Resolution Copper Mining Initial Submittal: November 2013 | Revised: September 23, 2014 2.4.1. Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................. 76 2.4.2. Local Soils .................................................................................................................. 76 2.5. Land Use .................................................................................................................................. 79 2.5.1. Ongoing Mining Activity ........................................................................................... 79 2.5.2. Recreation ................................................................................................................. 80 2.5.3. Grazing ...................................................................................................................... 81 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................. 82 3.1. Existing Activities and Infrastructure ...................................................................................... 82 3.1.1. Existing Activities and Infrastructure at East Plant Site ............................................ 82 3.1.2. Underground Workings and Private Holdings between East Plant Site and West Plant Site ................................................................................................................... 84 3.1.3. Existing Activities and Infrastructure at West Plant Site .......................................... 85 3.1.4. Existing Activities and Infrastructure at Tailings Storage Facility Site and Tailings Corridor ..................................................................................................................... 86 3.1.5. Existing Activities and Infrastructure along the MARRCO Corridor .......................... 86 3.1.6. Existing Activities and Infrastructure at Filter Plant and Loadout Facility ................ 87 3.1.7. Other Existing Infrastructure in the Vicinity of the Resolution Project .................... 87 3.2. Mining ...................................................................................................................................... 87 3.2.1. Operation of Pits and Waste Rock Dumps ................................................................ 87 3.2.2. Tonnage of Ore and Development Rock ................................................................... 87 3.2.3. Expected Production Rate ........................................................................................ 88 3.2.4. Season of Operation ................................................................................................. 88 3.2.5. Equipment to be Used .............................................................................................. 88 3.2.6. Method of Dump Construction ................................................................................ 88 3.2.7. Pit Dewatering .......................................................................................................... 89 3.2.8. Mitigation and Monitoring ....................................................................................... 89 3.2.9. Mine Development and Underground Operations .................................................. 90 3.2.10. East Plant Site Mine Surface Support Facilities ...................................................... 105 3.3. Milling and Processing ........................................................................................................... 111 3.3.1. Process Operations and Facilities ........................................................................... 111 3.3.2. Ore handling ........................................................................................................... 121 3.3.3. Expected Production Rate ...................................................................................... 122 3.3.4. Season of Operation ............................................................................................... 122 3.3.5. Equipment to be used for Conveyance-Crushing-Agglomeration and Processing . 122 3.3.6. Schematic of Process Circuit ................................................................................... 123 3.3.7. Design of Process Facilities ....................................................................................
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