KRMC - Reclamation Q & A

Question #1 - What is Reclamation?

The environmental engineering process of returning lands to cultivation, useful purpose, or original state.

Question #2 - How does it apply to the Ridgeway Mine?

The impact of the mine to the environment and the community is of great concern to us. Ridgeway Mining owns or leases approximately 1700+ acres. Of those 1700+acres, only about 900+ acres are disturbed, the remainder is considered buffer property helping keep down the noise and the dust associated with mining and to be environmentally friendly with its neighbors. Our goal is that the Mine site will be left in such condition, there will be no evidence that a mine was ever at the site. The 900+ acres will be left in better condition than it was before the mine started excavating the property.

Question #3 - How long will this take to happen?

Reclamation is an ongoing process.

Reclamation should be finished about 2013, when the lakes are completely filled. There will be continued monitoring of the water, water table, and the property until about 2030.

Question #4 - What are you doing now?

We are currently backfilling the South Pit with waste from the North Pit, while at the same time filling it with water in a controlled manner to minimize the oxidation of metals in the waste rock and create the conditions necessary for the creation of a self-buffering, natural South Carolina lake. Over time, the pit, when filled with water, will be stocked with fresh water fish. The depth of the lake will average 90 to 100 feet, though one end will be about 200 feet deep.

Question #5 - What about the North Pit Lake?

The North Pit Lake will also be filled with fresh water, but will not be stocked with fish. Unlike the South Pit Lake, the North Pit Lake will be off limits to the public. The reason for this being the significant (and potentially hazardous) water depths. The average depth will be around 390 feet deep. Safety is our number one concern, both now as we reclaim the property, and in the future, the way we leave the property.

Question #6 - What are the plans for the Tailings Impoundment?

The Tailings impoundment surface will be reclaimed and will become a 320-acre grassland with surrounding wetland areas and a spillway to control runoff water and the feeding of water to the North and South Pit.