Appendix H

This technical memorandum presents the results from the static geochemical characterization program of cleaner and scavenger tailings for the Resolution Copper Project .

A series of flotation tests had been conducted at DML on the three individual composites that comprise MC-1. The initial scope of that test work was to evaluate if:

Acid rock drainage (ARD) is produced by the exposure of sulphide minerals such as pyrite to atmospheric oxygen and water. The ability to identify in advance any mine materials that could potentially produce ARD is essential for timely implementation of mine waste management strategies for ARD control.

The microbiological oxidation of iron and sulfur constitutes two key processes in mineral biotechnology. Both mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria have been described which can utilize inorganic compounds of Fe and S as electron donors (3, 5, 6). At present, although thermophiles are characterized by superior oxidation rates, only mesophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing acidophiles are used in large-scale leaching processes for metal recovery from sulfide ores.

This report provides chemical, physical, mineralogical, and microbiological procedures for the analysis of coal overburdens and the resultant minesoils. These step-by-step methods identify and measure rock and soil properties that influence advance planning, mining efficiency, post-mining land and water quality and long range land use.

This test method covers a procedure that accelerates the natural weathering rate of a solid material sample so that diagnostic weathering products can be produced, collected, and quantified. Soluble weathering products are mobilized by a fixed-volume aqueous leach that is performed, collected, and analyzed weekly. When conducted in accordance with the following protocol, this laboratory test method has accelerated metal-mine waste-rock weathering rates by at least an order of magnitude greater than observed field rates.

Research was carried out to improve acid rock drainage (ARD) prediction methodologies, focussing on resolving uncertainties in acid base accounting (ABA) methods.

This letter report presents the results of the 2010 geotechnical testing program on scavenger and cleaner tailings. The results are also compared with the previous test programs in 2007 and 2009.

This guidance manual describes the process that an Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) applicant should follow in selecting the Best Available Demonstrated Control Technology (BADCT) for a specific mining facility and site in accordance with Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S) 49-243.B.1.

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Susan Blake
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