3.6 Mineral Resources

Transcription

1 3.6 Mineral Resources Regulatory Setting Federal Minerals management on public lands falls into three categories: locatable, leasable, and salable minerals. Laws, regulations, guidance, and plan elements related to mineral resources and mining are detailed below General Mining Law of 1872 (30 USC 21 et seq.) The General Mining Law allows citizens and those seeking to become citizens of the U.S. the right to enter public lands and reserve interests for the purposes of exploration and development of minerals subject to this mining law, which include minerals such as: gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, and uranium; non-metallic minerals such as asbestos, barite, gypsum, and mica; and uncommon varieties of stone (43 CFR 3800). This authority sets forth rules and procedures for the exploration, location, and patenting of lode, placer, and mill site mining claims. Claimants must file notice of the original claim with the BLM as well as annual notice of intention to hold, affidavit of assessment work, or similar notice Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 USC 1001 et seq.) The Geothermal Steam Act authorizes and governs the lease of geothermal steam and related resources on public lands Materials Sales Act of 1947 (30 USC ) The Materials Sales Act provides for the disposal of materials on public lands. The Secretary of the Interior may prescribe rules and regulations to dispose of mineral materials (including, but not limited to, common varieties of the following: sand, stone, gravel, pumice, pumicite, cinders, and clay) and vegetative materials (including, but not limited to, yucca, manzanita, mesquite, cactus, and timber or other forest products) on public lands of the United States. Such materials may be disposed of upon the payment of adequate compensation. The Secretary has the authority and discretion to permit any federal, state, or territorial agency, unit, or subdivision, including municipalities, or any association or corporation not organized for profit, to take and remove, without charge, materials and resources for use other than for commercial or industrial purposes or resale December 2012

2 Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 USC 181 et seq.) The Mineral Leasing Act authorizes and governs leasing of public lands for development of deposits of coal, oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons, sulphur, phosphate, potassium, and sodium. BLM issues right-of-way grants for oil and natural gas gathering, and distribution pipelines and related facilities (not authorized by appropriate leases), and oil and natural gas transmission pipelines and related facilities under this Act Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands 0f 1947 (30 USC 351 et seq.) The Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands extends the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act and the authority of the Secretary of the Interior over oil and gas operations to federal acquired lands Mining and Mineral Policy Act of 1970 (30 USC 21a) The Mining and Mineral Policy Act expresses the national policy to foster and encourage private enterprise in the development of economically sound and stable domestic mining, minerals, metal, and mineral reclamation industries. The policy also fosters the orderly and economic development of domestic mineral resources, reserves, and reclamation of metals and minerals to help assure satisfaction of industrial, security, and environmental needs, mining, mineral, and metallurgical research, including the use and recycling of scrap to promote the wise and efficient use of our natural and reclaimable mineral resources. The policy promotes the study and development of methods for the disposal, control, and reclamation of mineral waste products, and the reclamation of mined land, so as to lessen any adverse impact of mineral extraction and processing upon the physical environment that may result from mining or mineral activities Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916 (43 USC ) Patents issued under the Stock Raising Homestead Act reserved minerals to the U.S. as well as the right to prospect for, mine, and remove said minerals. Certain conditions exist to protect the patentee s improvements Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 USC 1201 et seq.) The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act establishes a program for the regulation of surface mining activities and the reclamation of coal-mined lands, under the administration of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement, in the DOI. The law sets forth minimum uniform requirements for all coal surface mining on federal and state lands, including exploration activities and the surface effects of underground December 2012

3 mining. Mine operators are required to minimize disturbances and adverse impacts on fish, wildlife, and related environmental values and achieve enhancement of such resources where practicable. Restoration of land and water resources is ranked as a priority in reclamation planning Energy Policy Act of 2005 The Energy Policy Act established a comprehensive, long-range national energy policy. It provides for traditional energy production as well as newer, more efficient energy technologies and conservation. It contains several provisions related to geothermal energy to make it more competitive with traditional methods of energy production BLM Manual 3031 (1985) Energy and Mineral Resource Assessment BLM uses a classification system to determine the level of potential for accumulation of mineral resources. Potential is defined as the potential for the occurrence of a concentration of one or more mineral or energy resources. BLM Manual 3031, Energy and Mineral Resource Assessment, outlines the Mineral Potential Classification System. Levels of potential for this system are as follows: Zero: the geologic environment, the inferred geologic processes, and the lack of mineral occurrences do not indicate potential for accumulation of mineral resources. Low: The geologic environment and the inferred geologic processes indicate a low potential for accumulation of mineral resources. Low-level potential is no longer evaluated by BLM. Moderate: the geologic environment, the inferred geologic processes, and the reported mineral occurrences or valid geochemical/geophysical anomaly indicate moderate potential for accumulation of mineral resources. High: The geologic environment, the inferred geologic processes, the reported mineral occurrences and/or valid geochemical/geophysical anomaly, and the known mines or deposits indicate high potential for accumulation of mineral resources. The known mines and deposits do not have to be within the area being classified, but have to be within the same type of geologic environment. Not determined: Mineral(s) potential not determined because of a lack of useful data. This notation does not require a level-of-certainty qualifier. This level is seldom used, and when used it is for a specific commodity only December 2012

4 Levels of certainty are as follows: A. The available data are insufficient and/or cannot be considered as direct or indirect evidence to support or refute the possible existence of mineral resources within the respective area. B. The available data provide indirect evidence to support or refute the possible existence of mineral resources. C. The available data provide direct evidence, but are quantitatively minimal to support or refute the possible existence of mineral resources. D. The available data provide abundant direct and indirect evidence to support or refute the possible existence of mineral resources BLM Minerals Locatable Minerals Locatable minerals include metallic minerals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, and uranium; non-metallic minerals such as allunite, asbestos, barite, gypsum, and mica; and uncommon varieties of stone (43 CFR 3800). BLM policy and guidance related to locatable minerals includes: BLM Manual 3800 Mining Claims under the General Mining Laws; and BLM Handbook H Solid Minerals Reclamation Handbook. Section 302 of FLPMA recognizes the rights of locators with respect to claims located under the Mining Law of 1872, including the right of ingress and egress. This same section also requires the Secretary to take any action, by regulation otherwise, to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the lands (43 USC1732). The regulations contained in 43 CFR 3715 and 43 CFR 3809 balance these two mandates by providing for the management of surface disturbance associated with mineral exploration and development, including mining claim use and occupancy. Appropriation of a mineral deposit is made by location of a mining claim. No rights under the mining laws can be exercised by a claimant until a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit has been made within the boundaries of the mining claim. Exploration and development must be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, and in conformance with the approved land use plan. Restrictions and stipulations may be applied to a proposed activity based on review and analysis by the authorized officer. Locatable mineral categories, as defined in the CDCA Plan, are as follows: December 2012

5 Category I Minerals: These include most the strategic and energy related mineral resources; minerals imported 50% or more, and those minerals of which the U.S. is a net exporter; and other mineral and/or energy resources of local, national, and/or regional importance, and of which the CDCA is a source. Category II Minerals: These include strategic, imported, and/or nationally important minerals which occur in the CDCA, but so far are not known in significant quantities, and other minerals which, although known in significant quantities in the CDCA, have not enough demand as yet. Locatable mineral resource classes within the CDCA Plan are as follows: Class 1: This class includes areas interpreted on the basis of known mineral deposits (and their associated geologic environments) of Category I commodities. This class also includes present producing mines of any locatable commodity. Class 2: This class includes areas containing known mineral deposits with reserves and/or resources of Category II commodities. Also included are areas with known occurrences and, based on geologic, geophysical, and/or geochemical data, inferred occurrences of Category I commodities. Class 3: This class includes areas interpreted to be favorable for future discovery of locatable mineral deposits. Based on evaluation of geologic, geophysical, and/or geochemical data, the interpretation utilizes current geological knowledge and best professional judgment of the investigating team. Class 4: This class is unqualified potential and includes areas for which the potential for locatable mineral resources is interpreted on the basis of preliminary evaluation of geologic, mineral occurrences, and limited field verification data only. No further analysis has been done on this category. Class 5: This class is unknown potential and includes areas which could not be classified due to insufficient data. This class also includes areas where known surficial geology is considered unfavorable for most locatable types of mineral deposits. Leasable Minerals These minerals include fluid minerals such as oil, gas, coalbed methane, CO2, and geothermal resources; and solid minerals such as coal, sodium, and potash. Although not a leasable mineral, helium is included in this category because it is typically associated with CO2 exploration and development (43 CFR 3100 and 43 CFR 3200). BLM policy and guidance related to leasable minerals includes BLM Manual Series 3100 Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing, including all associated Handbooks, Instruction Memoranda, and Orders December 2012

6 Geothermal resources are nonrenewable energy fluid minerals that can be developed after obtaining a lease from BLM. The lease is a right to access and develop mineral resources contained within the boundaries of the leased area in compliance with the lease terms and in conformance with appropriate federal, state, and local regulations. Geothermal potential and development is less common than wind and solar energy development in the BLM s California Desert District and within the Plan Area. A determination that lands are available for leasing represents a commitment to allow surface use under standard terms and conditions unless stipulations constraining development are attached to leases. When applying leasing restrictions, the least restrictive constraint to meet the resource protection objective would be used. For split estate minerals (where the U.S. owns the minerals), leasing of federal mineral estate on lands where the surface is not held by the federal government would be done in accordance with federal law, regulations, and policy guidance. The surface owner would be notified prior to lease and given the opportunity to comment. Salable Minerals These minerals include construction materials such as sand, gravel, cinders, decorative rock, and building stone (43 CFR 3600). BLM policy and guidance related to leasable minerals includes: BLM Handbook H , Solid Minerals Reclamation Handbook; and BLM Manual and Handbook Removal of mineral materials from BLM-administered lands requires either a sales contract or a free use permit. Disposal of mineral materials is a discretionary action and would be authorized in accordance with appropriate laws, regulations, and policies in conformance with the approved land use plan. BLM s policy is to make mineral materials available to the public and local governmental agencies whenever possible and wherever it is environmentally acceptable. Use of public lands and resources for salable mineral development cannot be allowed if not in the public interest, and if such action would result in unnecessary or undue degradation to public lands or resources CDCA Plan (1980) - Geology, Energy, and Mineral Resources Element The goals of the Geology, Energy, and Mineral Resources Element in the CDCA Plan are to: 1. Involve BLM actively, within the multiple-use management framework, with the users of all resources in the development and use of techniques to simultaneously enhance the productive potential of Geology, Energy, and Mineral resources and the quality of the environment December 2012

7 2. Continue to recognize access to and availability of as much public land as possible for mineral exploration and development. The widespread availability of land and access is a crucial factor in maintaining the outstanding productive potential of Geology, Energy, and Mineral resources. 3. Maintain the current database and analysis of Geology, Energy, and Mineral resources, incorporating new and emerging resources, and use these data in the regular Plan amendments. In addition, specific objectives of the element are to: 1. Continue to recognize ways of access and opportunities for exploration and development on public lands which are assessed to have potential for critical mineral resources, those minerals of national defense importance, those of which the U.S. imports 50% or more, and those of which the U.S. is a net exporter. 2. Continue to recognize ways of access and opportunity for exploration and development on public lands which are assessed to have potential for energy mineral resources. These are geothermal, oil, gas, uranium, and thorium, considered to be paramount priorities both nationally and within the State of California. 3. Continue to recognize ways of access and opportunities for exploration and development on public lands which are assessed to have potential for mineral resources of local and state importance. These are sand and gravel, limestone, gypsum, iron, specialty clays, and zeolites Bakersfield RMP Mineral resource-related goals and objectives for the Bakersfield RMP include the following for special management areas: Locatable, Leasable, and Salable Minerals The goal for the Central San Joaquin Management Area: oil, gas, and mineral resources will be managed to meet the demand for increased energy and mineral production while protecting other resource values. Objectives for the Valley Management Area: Collaborate with the oil and gas and livestock industries in meeting mutually beneficial management objectives. There were no goals and objectives for mineral resources outside these management areas in the Bakersfield RMP Bishop RMP Standard operating procedures outlined in the Bishop RMP for mineral resources are: December 2012

8 1. Reclamation bonds will be required for all minerals actions occurring under a Plan of Operations in accordance with MOUs with Inyo and Mono counties. 2. Claim markers must be in conformance with state law and BLM policy. 3. All notices of intent will be reviewed for undue and unnecessary degradation determination. Cultural, endangered and threatened species, and sensitive plant habitat clearances will be done as a minimum. 4. All mineral operations will conform with the state s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, and county and local health and operations requirements. 5. For abandoned mine shafts and mine shafts under a Plan of Operation, a survey for wildlife use, particularly bats, will be conducted. If bats are present, mines will be gated. Gate design will also consider the needs of other wildlife species potentially inhabiting the mine. If sealing of known hibernacula or maternity roosts must occur, sealing will not occur during the winter or maternity period. If surveys determine there is no use or potential for use by bats, sealing may be done at any time. The Bishop RMP also provides the following area-wide decisions related to mineral resources: The entire resource area will remain open to locatable mineral entry (exceptions to this decision are provided in the Bishop RMP, but all exceptions are located outside the DRECP boundary). Provide salable minerals for community and private use. Provide for geothermal exploration and development. For the South Inyo Management Area and Owens Lake Management Area: Prohibit geothermal exploration and development when it conflicts with habitat for endangered, threatened, or candidate species, or other species of management concern Eastern San Diego County RMP No goals and objectives for mineral resources were outlined in the Eastern San Diego County RMP December 2012

9 State California Public Resources Code, Division 6, Part 2, Chapter 3 (Oil and Gas and Mineral Leases) The CSLC Mineral Resources Management Division manages the use of energy and mineral resources on more than 130 oil, gas, geothermal, and mineral leases covering more than 95,000 acres of state-owned lands. California PRC, Division 6, Part 2, Chapter 3 pertains to oil, gas, and mineral leases and permits, including geothermal Imperial County General Plan Geothermal/Alternative Energy and Transmission Element The Geothermal/Alternative Energy and Transmission Element of the Imperial County General Plan contains the latest knowledge related to local geothermal resources; current development technology; and county, state, and federal policy regarding the exploration, development, and transmission of geothermal energy. The purpose of this element is to provide a comprehensive document that contains the latest knowledge about the resource, workable development technology, legal requirements, policy (county, state, and federal), and implementation measures. This element provides a framework for review and approval of geothermal projects in Imperial County (Imperial County 2006) Kern County General Plan Energy Element The Kern County General Plan Energy Element includes a section on Geothermal Development. The goal of the Geothermal Development section is to provide for safe and orderly development of Kern County s geothermal resources, including direct use applications of low- and moderate-temperature resources, and electrical generation from high-temperature resources, if they are found to exist (Kern County 2009). The Geothermal Development policies are: 1. The County should support efforts for geothermal exploration in Kern County to determine whether high-temperature resources exist. 2. The County should permit geothermal development, which does not lead to significant degradation of the environment or public health and safety hazards. 3. The County should encourage direct use of low-temperature geothermal resources for heating, cooling, and other direct use applications. 4. The County should seek state and federal grants and programs, which encourage the wise development of geothermal resources December 2012

10 5. The County should promote energy development in the upper Kern River Valley, including geothermal and hydroelectric energy development, which does not have significant adverse environmental impacts Geothermal Resource Potential BLM has established that geothermal resources are renewable, leasable minerals, and the evaluation of geothermal resources follows the guidelines for mineral resources. Geothermal energy is natural heat from the interior of the earth. Sources of geothermal energy include artesian hot springs and wells that tap groundwater or dry rock at elevated temperatures resulting from high flow gradients in the subsurface. Geothermal resources are classified according to temperature. High temperature resources are above 302 F (150 C). Moderate temperature resources are between 194 F and 302 F (90 C and 150 C). Low temperature resources are below 194 F (90 C). Only those resources with high enough temperatures to produce steam have been developed commercially for power generation. Low and moderate temperature geothermal water can be used for ground-source heat pumps and without the use of a heat pump for applications such as heating of buildings and use in industrial processes, greenhouses, aquaculture, and resorts. Known geothermal resource areas (KGRAs) are areas where there is a factual knowledge that the resource exists, and the extent and quantity are known or may be reasonably inferred from the geologic information available. KGRAs within the boundaries of the Plan Area are shown in Figure The Coso Hot Springs KGRA is located in the Owens River Valley Subarea of the DRECP (and the BLM Bishop Field Office). The remaining plants are located within the Imperial and Borrego Valley Subarea of the DRECP (El Centro Field Office). KGRA acres are shown in Table below, by ecoregion December 2012

11 Table Known Geothermal Resource Area Acres within the DRECP Plan Area by KGRA Acres Cadiz Valley and Chocolate Mountains 0 Imperial and Borrego Valley 110,477 Kingston and Funeral Mountains 0 Mojave and Silurian Valley 0 Owens River Valley 10,309 Panamint Death Valley 0 Pinto Lucerne Valley and Eastern Slopes 0 Piute Valley and Sacramento Mountains 0 Providence and Bullion Mountains 0 West Mojave and Eastern Slopes 0 Total 120,786 Existing geothermal plants within these KGRAs and surrounding areas are listed in Table Table Geothermal Plants within the Plan Area Geothermal Plants Coso Hot Springs KGRA 4 generating plants (on the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake) Salton Sea KGRA 10 generating plants South Brawley KGRA 1 generating plant North Brawley 1 generating plant Heber KGRA 3 generating plants Niland 2 generating plants East Mesa KGRA 6 generating plants MW Production 270 MW 327 MW 49.9 MW 30 MW 82 MW 100 MW 57 MW Geothermal prospects within and surrounding the KGRAs and their likely capacities are listed in Table below December 2012

12 Table Geothermal Prospects within the Plan Area Geothermal Prospect Area Salton Sea Niland Westmorland Glamis East Mesa Heber Dunes Superstition Mountain North Brawley East Brawley Mesquite/South Brawley Mount Signal Truckhaven Prospect Likely Capacity 1750 MW 776 MW 50 MW 6 MW 148 MW 142 MW 11 MW 10 MW 135 MW 129 MW 62 MW 19 MW 25 MW The Programmatic EIS for Geothermal Leasing in the Western U.S. provides a map that shows the majority of the land within the Plan Area to be within an area of geothermal potential Mineral Resource Potential Mineral resource data is presented by high potential mineral areas within the DRECP Plan Area and high priority mineral and energy locations, including rare earth element areas High Potential Mineral Areas The number of acres of high potential mineral areas is presented in Table below and Figures through by DRECP Plan ecoregion. High potential mineral areas are identified as lands having existing and/or historic mining activity and a reasonable probability of future mineral resource development. These areas are recognized by BLM as probable future development areas for planning purposes and have been designated as allowable use areas for mineral resources December 2012

13 Table High Potential Mineral Acres within the DRECP Plan Area by Total Acres Cadiz Valley and Chocolate Mountains 239,656 Imperial and Borrego Valley 195,140 Kingston and Funeral Mountains 131,830 Mojave and Silurian Valley 159,082 Owens River Valley 443 Panamint Death Valley 309,749 Pinto Lucerne Valley and Eastern Slopes 92,707 Piute Valley and Sacramento Mountains 37,763 Providence and Bullion Mountains 246,813 West Mojave and Eastern Slopes 106,196 Total 1,519, High Priority Mineral and Energy Locations BLM lands also have existing high priority mineral or energy locations within the DRECP Plan area. These areas are shown in Table below and in Figure Table Existing High Priority Mineral or Energy Locations within the DRECP Plan Area by /Mineral or Energy Site Acres Cadiz Valley and Chocolate Mountains Cadiz Evaporites 2,592 Imperial and Borrego Valley Mesquite Gold Mine (including 660 acres of State Land 5,160 Commission leased lands) Kingston and Funeral Mountains MolyCorp Rare Earth Element (Mountain Pass Deposit and 10,491 Mine) Mojave and Silurian Valley 0 Owens River Valley 0 Panamint Death Valley Briggs Au, Etna Searles Dry Lake 3,217 72,000 Pinto Lucerne Valley and Eastern Slopes 0 Piute Valley and Sacramento Mountains December 2012

14 Table Existing High Priority Mineral or Energy Locations within the DRECP Plan Area by /Mineral or Energy Site Providence and Bullion Mountains Bristol Dry Lake Hector Mine Acres 3,500 1,500 West Mojave and Eastern Slopes Rare Earth Element Areas The rare earth elements are fifteen elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71, from lanthanum to lutetium ( lanthanides ), plus yttrium (39), which is chemically similar to the lanthanide elements and typically included with the rare earth elements. Industrial demand for these elements is relatively small in terms of the amount (tons) extracted; however, these elements are essential for a diverse and expanding array of high-technology applications. Rare earth elements containing magnets, metal alloys for batteries and lightweight structures, and phosphors are essential for many current and emerging alternative energy technologies, such as electric vehicles, energy-efficient lighting, and wind power. Rare earth elements are also critical for a number of key defense systems and other advanced materials (Long et al. 2010). Rare earth element areas within the Plan Area by are presented on Table by ecoregion. Table Rare Earth Element Acres within the DRECP Plan Area by Total Acres Cadiz Valley and Chocolate Mountains 2,011 Kingston and Funeral Mountains 43,180 Panamint Death Valley 1,904 Pinto Lucerne Valley and Eastern Slopes 12,309 Total 59,404 The Mountain Pass Deposit and Mine (also considered as a high priority mineral location) and Music Valley Area are two of the more high profile rare earth element sites within the Plan Area. The Mountain Pass Deposit and Mine is located in the northeastern corner of San Bernardino County. The Mountain Pass igneous complex contains a carbonite called the Sulphide Queen body and hosts the bulk of the rare element resources in the district. The Sulphide Queen carbonite body is the largest known mass of high-grade rare earth December 2012

15 elements ore in the United States. The Mountain Pass Deposit and Mine was actively mined by Molycorp through 2002, when its permit expired. Molycorp has plans to resume mining by 2013 (Long et al. 2010). The Music Valley area consists of xenotime deposits situated within the Pinto Gneiss of probable Precambrian age. The Music Valley area is a reported deposit with apparently no current exploration activity. Small-scale exploration of these deposits was conducted during the 1950s to investigate their radioactivity (Long et al. 2010) December 2012

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17 6 MONO LONG VALLEY KGRA Mono UV Esmeralda Nye DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary Geothermal Lease Areas Prospectively Valuable KGRA Area Lincoln 93 Owens River Valley SALINE VALLEY UV UV 136 Inyo UV 190 Tulare Haiwee UV 372 Las Vegas Clark COSO HOT SPRINGS KGRA Ridgecrest UV 178 Panamint Death Valley Kingston and Funeral Mountains UV 127 UV Mohave Kern West Mojave and Eastern Slopes RANDSBURG 395 UV 58 Mojave and Silurian Valley Barstow San Bernardino Los Angeles I Sources: Lancaster Long Beach 710 Palmdale UV 138 Los Angeles UV 2 UV 91 Orange P a c i f i c O c e a n Miles 15 Hesperia Pinto Lucerne Valley and Eastern UV 38 Slopes San Twentynine Bernardino Palms UV UV 62 Riverside 60 UV UV 247 Escondido San Diego UV 94 UV 75 Riverside UV 74 San Diego UV 78 Coachella 40 Providence and Bullion Mountains UV West Chocolate Mountains Cadiz Valley and Chocolate Mountains Piute Valley and Sacramento Mountains Lake Havasu City La Paz Truckhaven UV 86 SALTON Imperial SEA KGRA UV 111 GLAMIS Superstition KGRA Mountains EAST UV SOUTH 78 BRAWLEY UV BRAWLEY 34 KGRA Imperial KGRA DUNES Borrego Valley 8 El Centro EAST HEBER Yuma UV MESA KGRA 98 KGRA KGRA 8 M E X I C O Yuma FIGURE Known Geothermal Resource Areas within the DRECP Plan Area Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-1.mxd 11/1/2012

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19 40 DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary P r o v i d e n c e a n d B u l l i o n M o u n t a i n s BRISTOLL DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION UV 95 P i u t e V a l l e y a n d S a c r a m e n t o M o u n t a i n s High Potential Minerals High Priority Operations Lake Havasu City San Bernardino CADIZ EVAPORITES UV 62 UV 72 P i n t o L u c e r n e V a l l e y a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s UV 177 Riverside C a d i z V a l l e y a n d C h o c o l a t e M o u n t a i n s 10 Blythe La Paz UV 111 UV 95 Imperial Locator I m p e r i a l B o r r e g o V a l l e y UV 86 UV 78 MESQUITE GOLD MINE UV 115 Yuma I Sources: El Centro Miles FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Cadiz Valley and Chocolate Mountains UV 186 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-2.mxd 11/1/2012

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21 UV 74 UV 195 DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary Riverside High Potential Minerals High Priority Operations UV 111 C a d i z V a l l e y a n d C h o c o l a t e M o u n t a i n s UV 86 Imperial La Paz UV 78 San Diego I m p e r i a l B o r r e g o V a l l e y MESQUITE GOLD MINE UV 78 UV 115 Locator El Centro 8 UV 186 Calexico UV 98 Yuma UV 95 Fortuna Foothills UV 94 I Miles M E X I C O Yuma Sources: FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Imperial and Borrego Valley Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-3.mxd 11/1/2012

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23 UV 374 UV 95 UV 165 County Boundary Nye High Potential Minerals UV 373 Pahrump UV 52 UV 146 UV 159 UV UV UV 53 UV 604 DRECP Boundary DRECP s UV 95 High Priority Operations UV 16 UV 190 UV 178 Clark UV 164 MOLYCORP REE Inyo K i n g s t o n a n d F u n e r a l M o u n t a i n s Locator BRIGGS AU, ETNA P a n a m i n t D e a t h V a l l e y UV P r o v i d e n c e a n d B u l l i o n M o u n t a i n s M o j a v e a n d S i l u r i a n V a l l e y San Bernardino SEARLES DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION W e s t M o j a v e a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s Miles I Sources: FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Kingston and Funeral Mountains Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-4.mxd 11/1/2012

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25 Ridgecrest UV 178 SEARLES DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION P a n a m i n t D e a t h V a l l e y DRECP Boundary DRECP s Mohave County Boundary High Potential Minerals High Priority Operations UV 53 UV 14 UV 127 K i n g s t o n a n d F u n e r a l M o u n t a i n s MOLYCORP REE M o j a v e a n d S i l u r i a n V a l l e y Kern San Bernardino Locator W e s t M o j a v e a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s UV 58 Barstow 15 UV 395 Ventura UV 247 P i n t o L u c e r n e V a l l e y a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s 40 HECTOR MINE (HECTORITE CLAY) P r o v i d e n c e a n d B u l l i o n M o u n t a i n s I Lake Los Angeles Miles Sources: FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Mojave and Silurian Valley Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-5.mxd 11/1/2012

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27 UV 168 P a n a m i n t D e a t h V a l l e y DRECP Boundary DRECP County Boundary High Potential Minerals UV 395 Fresno UV 180 O w e n s R i v e r V a l l e y UV 136 Inyo Tulare UV 190 Locator UV 395 I Sources: Miles W e s t M o j a v e a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Owens River Valley Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-6.mxd 11/1/2012

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29 UV 266 UV 71 UV 168 DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary Esmeralda High Potential Minerals High Priority Operations UV 72 UV 95 Nye UV 374 UV 136 Inyo O w e n s R i v e r V a l l e y UV 373 UV 190 K i n g s t o n a n d F u n e r a l M o u n t a i n s UV 127 BRIGGS AU, ETNA P a n a m i n t D e a t h V a l l e y UV 178 Kern SEARLES DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION Ridgecrest UV 14 UV 395 San Bernardino M o j a v e a n d S i l u r i a n V a l l e y Locator I Sources: W e s t M o j a v e a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s 0 E c o r e5 g i o n 10 Miles FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Panamint Death Valley Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-7.mxd 11/1/2012

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31 UV 395 W e s t M o j a v e a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s UV 58 Barstow UV 247 M o j a v e a n d S i l u r i a n V a l l e y 40 HECTOR MINE (HECTORITE CLAY) DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary 40 High Potential Minerals High Priority Operations Adelanto P r o v i d e n c e a n d B u l l i o n M o u n t a i n s UV 2 Victorville Hesperia Apple Valley UV 18 P i n t o L u c e r n e V a l l e y a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s San Bernardino BRISTOLL DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION UV 138 UV 173 Crestline UV 189 CADIZ EVAPORITES Rancho Cucamonga UV 66 Fontana Rialto UV 259 San Bernardino UV 330 UV 38 Yucca Valley Twentynine Palms C a d i z V a l l e y a n d C h o c o l a t e M o u n t a i n s UV UV 30 UV 62 Redlands Yucaipa 15 Locator UV 91 Banning Desert Hot Springs UV UV 243 Cathedral Palm City Springs Rancho Mirage Riverside Orange I Miles Sources: Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) UV 111 UV 79 UV 74 Indio La Quinta Coachella UV 86 FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Pinto Lucerne Valley and Eastern Slopes 10 M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-8.mxd 11/1/2012

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33 Clark UV 68 DRECP Boundary UV 93 DRECP s County Boundary High Potential Minerals UV 163 Bullhead City UV 95 Mohave Valley P r o v i d e n c e a n d B u l l i o n M o u n t a i n s Mohave 40 San Bernardino P i u t e V a l l e y a n d S a c r a m e n t o M o u n t a i n s Lake Havasu City UV 95 Locator UV 62 C a d i z V a l l e y a n d C h o c o l a t e M o u n t a i n s La Paz Riverside I Sources: Miles FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Piute Valley and Sacramento Mountains UV 72 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig3.6-9.mxd 11/1/2012

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35 UV 127 MOLYCORP REE UV 164 Mohave DRECP Boundary DRECP s UV 93 County Boundary K i n g s t o n a n d F u n e r a l M o u n t a i n s High Potential Minerals High Priority Operations UV 68 M o j a v e a n d S i l u r i a n V a l l e y San Bernardino UV 95 UV 163 Bullhead City Mohave Valley W e s t M o j a v e a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s HECTOR MINE (HECTORITE CLAY) 40 UV 247 P r o v i d e n c e a n d B u l l i o n M o u n t a i n s P i u t e V a l l e y a n d S a c r a m e n t o M o u n t a i n s Apple Valley BRISTOLL DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION Lake Havasu City Locator UV 18 P i n t o L u c e r n e V a l l e y a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s UV 173 UV 189 CADIZ EVAPORITES C a d i z V a l l e y a n d C h o c o l a t e M o u n t a i n s UV 330 UV 30 Highland I Redlands Yucaipa 10 Miles UV 38 Yucca Valley Twentynine Palms UV 62 Riverside UV 177 Sources: FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the Providence and Bullion Mountains Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig mxd 11/1/2012

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37 UV 395 UV 190 O w e n s R i v e r V a l l e y DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary High Potential Minerals High Priority Operations Tulare Inyo BRIGGS AU, ETNA UV 178 SEARLES DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION P a n a m i n t D e a t h V a l l e y Ridgecrest Kern San Bernardino M o j a v e a n d S i l u r i a n V a l l e y UV 202 Tehachapi UV 58 Rosamond W e s t M o j a v e a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s UV 395 Barstow 40 Lancaster Palmdale Lake Los Angeles Adelanto 15 P i n t o L u c e r n e V a l l e y a n d E a s t e r n S l o p e s UV 247 UV 14 Victorville Apple Valley UV 126 Santa Clarita Locator Los Angeles Hesperia UV 18 UV 118 San Fernando UV 138 UV 173 I Sources: UV UV 110 UV 39 Crestline UV 189 UV Rancho Cucamonga UV 259 UV 66 Fontana San Bernardino Highland UV UV 101 UV UV Miles 710 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) Redlands FIGURE High Potential Mineral Locations within the West Mojave and Eastern Slopes UV 38 M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig mxd 9/27/2012

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39 6 Mono UV Esmeralda Nye!( DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary High Priority Operations Lincoln 93 Owens River Valley UV UV 136 Inyo UV 190 Tulare UV 372 Las Vegas Clark SEARLES DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION Ridgecrest!( BRIGGS AU, ETNA UV 178 Panamint Death Valley!( Kingston and Funeral Mountains UV 127 UV Kern Los Angeles 210 Los Angeles West Mojave and Eastern Slopes Lancaster Palmdale UV Long Beach 710 UV 2 UV 91 Orange 395 UV Mojave and Silurian Valley Barstow UV 247 Hesperia!( 40 Pinto Lucerne Valley and Eastern UV 38 Slopes San Twentynine Bernardino Palms UV UV 62 Riverside 60 UV 243 Riverside HECTOR MINE (HECTORITE CLAY) Coachella UV 74!( UV 62!( San Bernardino MOLYCORP REE Providence and Bullion Mountains BRISTOLL DRY LAKE (EVAPORITE) OPERATION CADIZ EVAPORITES!( 10 Cadiz Valley and Chocolate Mountains Piute Valley and Sacramento Mountains Mohave 40 Lake Havasu City La Paz I Sources: P a c i f i c O c e a n Miles 5 15 Escondido San Diego UV 94 UV 75 San Diego UV 78 UV 86 M E X I C O UV 111 Imperial Borrego Valley Imperial UV 78 MESQUITE GOLD MINE!( UV 34 El Centro 8 Yuma UV 98 8 Yuma FIGURE Existing High Priority Mineral or Energy Locations within the DRECP Plan Area Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Minerals\fig mxd 11/1/2012

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41 Please note this comparative evaluation provides an illustrative view into the data, information and type of analyses that will be presented Mono Esmeralda Lincoln Nye Fresno M A N Z A N A R N AT I O N A L H I S T O R I C S I T E Owens River Va l l e y DRECP Boundary DRECP s County Boundary Inyo Tulare Rare Earth Elements D E AT H VA L L E Y N AT I O N A L PA R K Kingston and Funeral Mountains Panamint D e a t h Va l l e y R e d R o c k C a n y o n S P Kern West Mojave and Eastern Slopes Mojave and S i l u r i a n Va l l e y M O J AV E N AT I O N A L P R E S E RV E Clark Mohave S a d d l e b a c k B u t t e S P Providence and Bullion Mountains San Bernardino P i u t e Va l l e y and Sacramento Mountains Pinto Lucerne Va l l e y a n d E a s t e r n Slopes Ventura Los Angeles La Paz J O S H U A T R E E N AT I O N A L PA R K Riverside C a d i z Va l l e y and Chocolate Mountains Orange Imperial Locator San Diego Imperial B o r r e g o Va l l e y A n z a - B o r r e g o D e s e r t S P I Yuma Miles Sources: FIGURE Rare Earth Element Locations within DRECP Plan Area Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) M:\JOBS4\6287\common_gis\Preliminary_Analysis\Figures\fig mxd 12/15/2012

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