Montgomery & Associates

Groundwater monitoring in the upper Queen Creek and Devils Canyon watersheds was initiated by RCM in early 2004.  The current RCM groundwater monitoring program includes 19 wells, boreholes or shafts.  Based on results of hydrogeological characterization studies conducted to date, three principal aquifers have been identified.  The purpose of the groundwater monitoring program is to provide hydrologic data for continued development and refinement of the conceptual hydrogeologic model for the ALT aquifer and adjacent aquifers in the study area that might be impacted by block-c

This technical memorandum was prepared to summarize results of drilling, construction, equipping, and testing at hydrologic test wells DHRES-03, DHRES-04, and DHRES-05/DHRES-05B. The wells were installed to characterize hydrogeologic conditions in the Gila Conglomerate and Apache Leaf Tuff west of the Concentrator Fault in the vicinity of West Plant site and to provide monitoring locations for the aquifer west of the Concentrator Fault during dewatering operations in 2010 and 2011.

This catalog has been prepared to summarize available information for selected springs and seeps in the Upper Queen Creek and Devils Canyon watersheds. The springs and seeps included in this catalog were selected based on proximity to planned facilities as proposed by Resolution Copper for the Resolution mine project. Version 1.0.

This report presents a water budget for all watersheds and groundwater systems within the projected impact area for the panel-cave underground mining project proposed by Resolution Copper.

In February 2010, Montgomery published a report entitled "Interim Results of Groundwater Monitoring, Upper Queen Creek and Devils Canyon Watersheds" (M&A 2010) which reported all hydrochemical and isotopic data available through the second quarter of 2009. The current report presents hydrochemical and isotopic data collected since M&A 2010 was published.

This technical memorandum was prepared to summarize results of drilling, construction, and testing at hydrologic test well DHRES-09. The well was installed to characterize hydrogeologic conditions in the deep groundwater system west of the Concentrator Fault and east of the Main Fault, and to provide a monitoring point for the deep groundwater system during on-going dewatering operations. Monitoring data obtained from DHRES-09 have been incorporated into the RCM hydrologic monitoring program.

Fourteen sites were studied to provide baseline technical hydrologic monitoring in the Oak Flat area within or adjacent to the projected disturbance zone of the proposed RC block cave mine.

This document proposes an approach to monitoring and mitigation of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) identified through the NEPA process as being dependent on project area regional groundwater and therefore at risk of being impacted by mine dewatering activities.

The goals of the baseline surface water monitoring program are to: a) Refine understanding of surface water  occurrence, quantity, and quality within the study are b) Develop a baseline data set against which future potential impacts from mining may be measured, and c) Support development of an EIS.

This technical memorandum has been prepared to summarize results of drilling, construction, and testing at hydrologic test wells DHRES-12 and DHRES-13. Borehole DHRES-12 was drilled to characterize hydrogeologic conditions in the deep groundwater system in Cross Canyon, west of the Apache Leap escarpment, and to provide a monitoring location for the deep groundwater system during ongoing dewatering operations. DHRES-12 was abandoned prior to completion due to lost circulation and borehole instability. Well DHRES-13 was drilled at the same site to replace abandoned borehole DHRES-12.