Uranium mineralization in the Grants Mineral Belt of New Mexico is sandstone-hosted as defined in the “World Distribution of Uranium Deposits (UDEPO) with Uranium Deposit Classification”, (IAEA, 2009). Regionally mineralization is termed primary or re-distributed based on the character and morphology of the mineralization. Re-distributed mineralization is typically roll front type. Primary deposits are typically tabular and range in size from small pods a few feet in width and length to bodies several tens of feet thick, several hundred feet wide and several thousand feet long. The deposits tend to occur in clusters and many form distinct trends that are parallel to the sedimentary trend (Fitch, 1980; Turner-Peterson, 1986; Sandford, 1992).

Uranium occurs mostly as coffinite and uraninite in tabular primary mineralization, and mostly as uraninite in C-shaped or roll fronts in the redistributed mineralization. Primary mineralization is generally associated with finely disseminated carbon and indistinct organic matter, known as humates. Humates are presumed to have formed from the breakdown and dissolving of vegetal matter and redeposition in the mineralized zones. The redistributed mineralization is typically primary mineralization that has been redissolved and moved farther down dip and redeposited in the form of C-shaped roll fronts. Mineralization occurs in stream channel bottoms and margins in straight channels and feeder channels, meanders, and overflow areas. ........

For the purposes of this PEA mining via conventional underground room and pillar mining with vertical shaft hoist was selected. The shaft would be located at the previous site location requiring rehabilitation of the shaft and installation of a new hoist.

Initial mining will occur within both the C and D sands. Mining in the C sand would extend for 10 years while the D sand would extend over 15 years.

Mining will be by room and pillar. General methods and assumptions include:

- Development drifts will utilize dual openings. 10 by 15-foot openings will be used for haulage, and 8 by 10-foot openings will be used for transportation and ventilation.
- Mining panels will utilize multiple entries depending on the width of the zone. Entries will be approximately 12 feet wide, minimum of 6 feet high and averaging 7 feet high.
- Crosscuts will be placed on 100-foot centers.
- Mining will be completed by advance and retreat methods.
- Advance mining is accomplished by driving approximately 12 by 7-foot drifts within zones meeting cutoff grade. Multiple drifts will be driven parallel to one another with crosscuts on 100-foot centers. The parallel drifts will be 27 feet apart on centerline.
- This will leave a pillar with a dimension of approximately 15 feet wide and 90 feet long. On retreat mining, these pillars are removed if they meet cutoff criteria.
- Mined material will be sized and sorted underground with the waste ........

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