Amendment to Exploration License 00710 Tintina Alaska Exploration, Inc. For Exploration Decline for Underground Drilling and Bulk Sampling Black Butte Copper Project, Meagher County, MT Submitted by: Tintina Alaska Exploration, Inc. Black Butte Copper Project PO Box 431 White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645 406-547-3466 Submitted to: Bob Cronholm Director Hard Rock Section Small Miner and Exploration Program Montana Department of Environmental Quality Environmental Management Bureau PO Box 200901 Helena, Montana 59620-0901 November 7, 2012 Black Butte Copper Project Amendment to Exploration License TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................1 1.1 Project Location .........................................................................................................1 1.2 Brief Project History ...................................................................................................1 1.3 Land Status ...............................................................................................................4 1.4 Geology .....................................................................................................................4 1.4.1 Geologic Setting ......................................................................................................... 4 1.4.2 Deposit Type .............................................................................................................. 7 1.4.3 Mineralization ............................................................................................................. 7 1.4.4 Mineral Resources ..................................................................................................... 9 2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS .................................................................... 11 2.1 Climate .................................................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 Weather Monitoring Station ..................................................................................... 12 2.2 Air Quality Permitting ............................................................................................... 12 2.3 Hydrology ................................................................................................................ 13 2.3.1 General Hydrologic Setting ...................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Surface Water .......................................................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Groundwater ............................................................................................................ 17 2.3.4 Wetlands Delineation ............................................................................................... 20 2.3.5 Seeps and Springs Delineation................................................................................ 21 2.3.6 Aquifer Testing ......................................................................................................... 23 2.3.7 Decline Inflow Analysis ............................................................................................ 24 2.3.8 Water Rights ............................................................................................................ 25 2.4 Geology ................................................................................................................... 25 2.5 Soils ........................................................................................................................ 25 2.5.1 Soil Suitability and Volume for Reclamation ............................................................ 27 2.5.2 Soil Suitability for Land Application of Mine Water .................................................. 30 2.6 Mining Waste Geochemical Characterization .......................................................... 33 2.6.1 Sampling and Analysis Methods .............................................................................. 33 2.6.2 Results ..................................................................................................................... 35 2.6.3 Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 37 2.7 Biological Resources ............................................................................................... 37 2.8 Noxious Weeds ....................................................................................................... 39 2.9 Wildlife ..................................................................................................................... 39 2.9.1 Wildlife Observed ..................................................................................................... 39 2.9.2 Species of Concern .................................................................................................. 40 2.9.3 Fisheries and Aquatic Life ........................................................................................ 42 2.10 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................ 43 2.11 Socio-economics ................................................................................................... 46 2.11.1 Potential Positive Effects of the Project on Local Communities ............................ 48 Tintina Resources, Inc. i November 7, 2012 Black Butte Copper Project Amendment to Exploration License 2.12 Land Use ............................................................................................................... 48 3.0 EXPLORATION DECLINE OPERATING PLAN ................................................................. 49 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 49 3.2 Support Facilities and Surface Disturbance Areas ................................................... 49 3.3 Pre-Construction Site Preparation Common to All Disturbed Areas ......................... 54 3.4 Decline and Support Facilities ................................................................................. 54 3.4.1 Exploration Decline .................................................................................................. 54 3.5 Support Facilities ..................................................................................................... 57 3.5.1 Portal Pad and On-Pad Underground Mining Support Facilities ............................. 57 3.5.2 Off-Pad Underground Mining Support Facilities ...................................................... 59 3.5.3 Waste Rock Storage and Seepage Collection Support Facilities ............................ 60 3.5.4 LAD Areas ................................................................................................................ 72 3.6 Water Management ................................................................................................. 75 3.6.1 Water Inflow to the Decline ...................................................................................... 75 3.6.2 Initial Use of a Mine Pond ........................................................................................ 76 3.6.3 Decline Water Disposal ............................................................................................ 76 3.6.4 Seepage Collection/Evaporation Pond Water Disposal .......................................... 76 3.6.5 Waste Water Treatment ........................................................................................... 77 3.7 Access Roads ......................................................................................................... 78 3.7.1 Surface Construction Equipment ............................................................................. 78 3.8 Storm Water Control ................................................................................................ 79 3.9 Project Schedule and Personnel .............................................................................. 80 3.9.1 Project Schedule ..................................................................................................... 80 3.9.2 Number of Employees and Principal Tasks ............................................................. 81 3.9.3 Employee Work Schedules ...................................................................................... 81 3.10 Other Activities ...................................................................................................... 81 3.10.1 Fire Protection ........................................................................................................ 81 3.10.2 Solid Waste Disposal ............................................................................................. 82 3.10.3 Site Security ........................................................................................................... 82 3.10.4 Hazardous Materials .............................................................................................. 82 3.10.5 Lighting ................................................................................................................... 82 3.10.6 Noise ...................................................................................................................... 82 3.10.7 Temporary and Permanent Shut-Downs ............................................................... 82