Appendix N

Exploration Drilling Plan

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Exploration Drilling Plan

Bear Lodge Project

Rare Element Resources, Inc.

May 2013

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1.0 DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Rare Element Resources, Inc. (RER) proposes to continue rare earth element (REE) exploration activities (drilling, trenching, geologic mapping, ground geophysics and geochemical soil analysis) over life of mine operations, estimated to be 40 or more years. The exploration would be conducted within the Project Area as shown on Map P-1. Exploration in Section 20 will be subject to U.S. Air Force release due to the closure of the nuclear reactor at the former radar station site. It is anticipated that Section 20 will be released during the project mine life. It is difficult to predict the level of exploration activity within the target areas during mine operations with any accuracy due to uncertainties in REE mineralization, processing, and worldwide economic conditions. The number of exploration drill holes could include up to 2,000 with approximately 1,000 core holes (average depth of 750 feet or 750,000 feet) and 1,000 rotary holes (average depth of 660 feet or 660,000 feet). RER estimates that annual drill holes could be up to 48 holes per year using both reverse circulation and core drilling methods. RER may also conduct approximately 20,000 feet of trenching over the life of mine. Prior to each exploration season, RER will provide the Forest Service with a Work Plan identifying the anticipated drill hole locations and areas of disturbance for Forest Service approval. RER is currently conducting exploration in the Project Area under a License to Explore (LE 268) issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality – Land Quality Division (WDEQ-LQD) for reclamation bonding. Future exploration would be conducted under a Drilling Notification (DN) for LQD and Forest Service approval.

1.2 ACCESS

1.2.1 Access Route The selected access route leading to and from the Bull Hill Area Project Area is the Miller Creek Access Route as shown on Map P-1. The Miller Creek Access Route will be upgraded as part of the Bear Lodge Project.

1.2.2 Access to Drill Sites Access to individual drill sites will include main Forest Service roads, secondary roads, secondary (closed) roads, new temporary roads, and overland access. Existing roads will be used to the greatest extent possible. Where temporary road construction is necessary, exploration roads will be located and constructed using best management practices (BMPs) for silviculture outlined by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) in the Wyoming Nonpoint Source Management Plan (2004) (Appendix B) to minimize surface disturbance, erosion and visual contrast, as well as to facilitate reclamation.

RER is proposing winter drilling, as weather conditions permit. Removal of snow from temporary exploration roads may be necessary in order to facilitate late fall, winter, or early spring operations. Snow would be removed to the full width of the road plus any turnouts and ditch lines. Through cuts would be allowed only after snow depths exceed the height of the equipment deck or across flat ground. Disposal would be to the outside or downhill side of the road. To the extent practicable, snow mixed with soil would not be placed over the fill slope of the road.

Section 20Subject to

US Air Force Release

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7450

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1617

0573

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1.2.3 Road Maintenance Routine maintenance on the Miller Creek Access Route will include grading and dust control on unpaved roads, and snow removal on all roads. Snowplows will be used to remove snow to the full width of the road plus turnouts and ditch lines. Gravel roads will be resurfaced with roadbase, and asphalt overlays will be applied to damaged portions of paved roads on an as needed basis. Routine road maintenance on drill site access roads will include smoothing ruts, filling holes with fill material, grading, safety berms, adding roadbase, and re-establishing waterbars as necessary to maintain adequate drainage according to the Gold Book (BLM and Forest Service, 2007).

1.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1.3.1 Land Requirements Each drill site will be approximately 75 feet by 35 feet or 0.06 acre. If all 2,000 drill sites are constructed over a 40+ year mine life, total disturbance would be 120 acres; however, drill sites will be reclaimed as drill holes are abandoned, limiting the amount of active disturbance at any one time. Trenching and bulk sampling will require approximately 11.48 acres of disturbance for 20,000 feet of trenching. Temporary roads and overland travel will be required to support the drilling and trenching activities. Approximately 30 miles of temporary road (15 feet in width) would be required over 40+ years. Because this is an exploration project, RER is unable to predict the exact location of all of the exploration roads, drill sites, trenches, and bulk sample locations. At the beginning of each year, prior to exploration, RER will provide a proposed work plan to the Forest Service for review and approval. The work plan will provide the location of proposed exploration activities and project related disturbance for that year. Table 1 provides estimates of exploration disturbance over the mine life (40 years or more).

Table 1 Project Related Surface Disturbance

Exploration Activity

First Year Surface

Disturbance (acres

Subsequent Years

Surface Disturbance

(acres)

Total Disturbance

(acres) Temporary Constructed Roads 1.30 53.50 54.80 Overland Travel 1.65 66.18 67.83 Drill Sites (includes sediment traps) 2.882 117.123 120.00 Trenching and Bulk Sampling 0.284 11.205 11.48

Total 6.11 248.0 254.11 1 Assumes 30.14 miles of road with a 15 foot disturbance width. 2 Based on 48 drill sites at an average of 0.06 acre per site. 3 Based on 1952 drill sites at an average of 0.06 acre per site. 4 Based on 480 feet of trenching (4 feet in width). Footprint is 25 feet in width including spoils piles. 5 Based on 19,520 feet of trenching (25 feet in width).

1.3.2 Construction Drill Sites. Drill sites will be constructed from the native soil and rock materials present using a a Cat D8L dozer, Case 9050B excavator or similar equipment. The site will be constructed by clearing vegetation, stripping and stockpiling topsoil, and leveling the pad area using cut-and-fill techniques. Sumps (sediment traps), usually two per drill site (each 30 feet by 15 feet and 6 feet in depth) would be constructed, as necessary. During excavation, topsoil would be removed and stockpiled adjacent to the pads and sediment traps, and replaced upon completion of activities

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at the drill site. New drill site surface disturbance would be kept to the minimum necessary for safety.

Roads. Road construction will be implemented using a Cat D8L or equivalent. The planned roads would have a disturbance width of between 12 and 18 feet (15 feet on average), depending on slope, with waterbars installed as needed. Every effort would be made to keep road grades at ten percent or less unless steeper grades are necessary for short pitches.

Roads will be rerouted around trees where possible. Trees that would need to be removed would be stacked on the uphill side of the road for salvage, unless otherwise directed by the Forest Service. Slash from the trees will be stockpiled adjacent to the uphill side of the road and will be spread over the reclaimed road during reclamation.

When drainages must be crossed with a road, BMPs would be followed to minimize the surface disturbance and erosion potential. No culverts would be installed. Blasting is not anticipated for road construction. Routine road maintenance may be required and would consist of smoothing ruts, filling holes with fill material, grading and re-establishing waterbars when necessary.

Where practicable, methods to exclude public access to exploration roads would be utilized. Such methods would include, but are not limited to, posting signs, partial reclamation, and construction of buck and rail fence sections. All sign posting would meet USFS approval and the standards set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Trenches and Bulk Sampling. Trenches may be excavated to uncover rock for geologic characterization. The trench excavation would average 5 foot in width and 6 feet in depth. The spoils piles would be placed on the uphill side where practicable so the trench would recover any displaced material. The overall footprint at any section along a trench including the spoils piles would average 25 feet in width (5 foot wide trench with 10 feet of spoils on each side). There may be between 19,000 and 20,000 feet of trenching excavated during the life of mine activities. Bulk sampling may include the collection of excavated material placed into 55 gallon drums for transport off site. The bulk sample would be collected using a backhoe from a road cut or trench and no additional disturbance beyond the road cut or trench would occur. The trenches would only be open long enough to map and sample. The trenches would then be filled and capped with stockpiled soil.

1.3.3 Drilling Both reverse circulation (RC) and core rigs will be utilized. Up to five drilling rigs could be operating at one time. RC drilling utilizes a solid bit (usually tri-cone) to produce a hole that delivers rock chips to the surface for subsequent analysis. RC drilling ideally produces dry rock chips, as large air compressors dry the rock out ahead of the advancing drill bit. Reverse circulation is achieved by blowing air down the rods, the differential pressure creating air lift of the water and cuttings up the inner tube, which is inside each rod. The cuttings reach the bell at the top of the hole, then move through a sample hose attached to the top of the cyclone. The drill cuttings travel around the inside of the cyclone until they fall through an opening at the bottom and are collected in a sample bag. Although RC drilling is air-powered, water is also used to reduce dust, keep the drill bit cool, and assist in pushing cuttings upwards and out of the hole. Nontoxic drilling muds are mixed with water and pumped into the rod string, down the hole. This helps to bring up the sample to the surface by making the sand stick together. Occasionally, super-foam is also used, to bring all the very fine cuttings to the surface, and to clean the hole. When the drill reaches hard rock, a collar of metal or PVC pipe is put down the hole around the rods. Collaring a hole stops the walls from caving in and bogging the rod string at the top of the hole.

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The most commonly used RC drill bits are five to eight inches in diameter and have round metal buttons that protrude from the bit. These buttons are required to drill through rock. RC rig setups usually consist of a support vehicle, an auxiliary vehicle, as well as the rig itself. The support vehicle, normally a truck, holds diesel and water tanks for resupplying the rig and also holds other supplies needed for maintenance on the rig. The auxiliary is a vehicle carrying an auxiliary engine and a booster engine. These engines are connected to the rig by high pressure air hoses. Diamond core drilling utilizes an annular diamond-impregnated drill bit attached to the end of hollow drill rods to cut a cylindrical core of solid rock. The diamonds used are fine to microfine industrial grade diamonds set within a matrix of varying hardness, from brass to high-grade steel. Holes within the bit allow water to be delivered to the cutting face. This provides three essential functions: lubrication, cooling, and removal of drill cuttings from the hole. The drill hole is approximately 3.5 inches in diameter. Diamond drilling is much slower than RC drilling due to the hardness of the ground being drilled. Diamond rigs need to drill slowly to lengthen the life of drill bits and rods, which are very expensive. Core samples are retrieved via the use of a lifter tube, a hollow tube lowered inside the rod string by a winch cable until it stops inside the core barrel. As the core is drilled, the core lifter slides over the core as it is cut. An overshot attached to the end of the winch cable is lowered inside the rod string and locks on to the backend, located on the top end of the lifter tube. The winch is retracted, pulling the lifter tube to the surface. The core does not drop out the inside of the lifter tube when lifted because a "core lifter spring," located at the bottom of the tube allows the core to move inside the tube but not fall out. Once a rod is removed from the hole, the core sample is then removed from the rod and cataloged. The driller's assistant screws the rod apart using tube clamps, then each part of the rod is taken apart and the core is deposited out into core trays. The core is washed, measured and broken into smaller pieces using a hammer to make it fit into the sample trays. Once catalogued, the core trays are retrieved by geologists who then analyze the core and determine if additional work needs to be conducted in the same area.

Drill holes can be vertical or angled. All drill holes would be surveyed and plugged as an operational procedure immediately after completion of drilling. All drilling activities would be conducted in accordance with Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations (WWQRR), Chapter 11, Part G, Section 70 for plugging and abandoning drill holes. These requirements include filling and sealing part, or all of the drill hole with impervious material, marking the location of the drill hole (considered a well under WWQRR regulations), and filing a plugging and abandonment report.

1.3.4 Water Use The primary source of water for drilling will come from either the production well in Section 16 or from the City of Sundance Cole Well Field via pipeline. Other supplemental water sources could be the City of Sundance Well No. 6 or water transported from Hulett, Wyoming as done in prior years. It is estimated that 4,000 gallons would be required for a rotary hole and 100,000 gallons would be required for a core hole. Total water requirements for exploration over the 40+ year project life is estimated to be 104 million gallons.

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1.4 EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES

A Cat D8L dozer, Case 9050B excavator or similar equipment would be used to construct the roads and drill sites. The equipment will be owned by subcontractors and it will leave the Project Area or be stored within the Project Area when not in use. Exploration and drilling personnel would access the site in four wheel drive vehicles. Up to five drill rigs would be used in the Project Area and each rig may have up to three support vehicles including either a water truck, pipe truck or booster truck, and two pieces of auxiliary equipment (i.e., air compressor, light plant). The following equipment will be used for the core and rotary drilling programs:

Core drilling program Excavator for site preparation Two track mounted Longyear 44 or similar core rig Three pickups (includes supervisor) One water truck One 16’ long enclosed trailer for parts/supplies Visited daily by RER personnel with pickup truck

Rotary drilling program

One Prospector or similar tire mounted unit One Drill rod/water truck tender One 20’ long, mud-tank trailer One pickup truck One geologist on site with pickup

2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES

2.1 AIR QUALITY

The following protection measure will be implemented to reduce impacts to air quality:

• Fugitive dust from the use of existing and newly constructed roads will be minimized by limiting speeds to 20 miles per hour and by watering roads on a regular basis.

2.2 WATER QUALITY

Sumps will be constructed to contain drill cuttings and manage drill water overflow. The following measures will be implemented to minimize impacts to water quality:

• BMPs for sediment control will be utilized during drilling operations to minimize sedimentation and erosion.

• Proposed drilling activities will avoid springs, seeps, and perennial streams. If proximal to drainages, sumps will be lined to control potential seepage.

• Chemicals and equipment will not remain on site during seasonal closures. Surface and ground water quality monitoring are not proposed in relation to exploration activities.

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2.3 SOLID WASTES

The following protection measure will be implemented to reduce impacts resulting from wastes:

• All refuse generated during exploration activities will be removed and disposed of in an authorized landfill facility off site, consistent with applicable regulations. No refuse will be disposed of or left on site. Garbage will be collected and hauled off site daily during drilling operations.

2.4 SCENIC VALUES

Disturbances associated with exploration activities will be reclaimed within 2 years, and therefore, any visual impacts would be temporary and short term.

2.5 FISH AND WILDLIFE

Baseline surveys for fish and wildlife and habitat are being conducted in conjunction with permitting of the Bull Hill Mine. The following measures will be implemented to minimize impacts to fish and wildlife and their habitats:

• Bear-proof containers, approved by WGFD, will be used for temporary storage of all garbage; however, trash and garbage will not be allowed to remain on-site overnight to discourage attracting scavengers, including corvids, coyotes, and bears.

• Speed limits and caution signs will be posted to the extent allowed by surface owners, federal and state regulations, local governments, and land use policies, as appropriate.

• Employees and subcontractors will not be allowed to carry firearms while on the job or riding in company vehicles. These provisions will be included in subcontractor agreements limiting the use of firearms to the same standards applied to company operations.

• Employees and subcontractors will be instructed to avoid walking away from vehicles or facilities into view of wildlife, especially during winter months and breeding (courtship, nesting) seasons.

• Employees and subcontractors will receive environmental awareness training during orientation that will inform and educate employees and subcontractors about laws and wildlife conservation practices, including no harassment or feeding of wildlife.

• Any known or newly identified beaver den sites will be protected and disturbance to hydrological regimes within the survey area will be minimized.

• Known bat roosts (day and/or night) will be protected in accordance with Black Hills National Forest Plan in order to maintain bat habitat, nurseries, or hibernacula.

• Traffic routes will be restricted to established roads to protect wildlife habitat for bats unless authorized by the Forest Service.

• The removal of snags will be restricted to only those that pose a safety concern or when absolutely necessary for project activities. Forest Service personnel will be notified prior to the cutting of any snags in order to inspect the snag and determine if an alternate solution is feasible. Where possible, any snags cut as safety hazards will be left on site.

• To protect important upland game bird (i.e., grouse and turkeys) breeding and nesting habitat, project activities and surface use will be avoided near identified leks or nest sites during the breeding and nesting periods. Any newly documented winter grouse concentration areas or wild turkey roost sites will also be adequately addressed in protective measures.

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• All known raptor nests or any newly documented nests will be protected in accordance with the Black Hills National Forest Plan and the FWS Wyoming Ecological Services Office’s Recommended Spatial and Seasonal Buffers for Breeding Raptors (2009). Potential effects of disturbance, nesting phenology, human activities existing at onset of nest initiation, species, topography, other sensitive species and plant species of local concern, forest cover, nest protection standards, and other appropriate factors, as well as recommendations used by state or federal agencies will be considered when designing protection measures.

• Surface-disturbing activities will be avoided from April 1 through August 15 to minimize impact on active goshawk nests from additional human-caused noise and disruption beyond that occurring at the time of nest initiation (e.g., road traffic, timber harvests, construction activities, drilling) within 0.5 mile until the nest has failed or fledglings have dispersed.

• Surface disturbance will be avoided within 0.5 mile of winter roost sites for bald eagles that are within line-of-site. If any roost sites or additional habitat for bald eagles is found within the survey area, they would be protected from disturbance in accordance with the Black Hills National Forest Plan.

• As per the Memorandum of Understanding between the Forest Service and FWS (Forest Service Agreement #08-MU-1113-2400-264) to promote the conservation of migratory birds pursuant to EO 13186 2001), mitigation efforts for bird species observed during breeding bird surveys will include the protection of important riparian habitats and any other unique features identified within the Project Area (e.g., cliffs that may serve as colonial nesting sites).

• Nesting migratory birds will not be physically disturbed between May 1 and July 15 to avoid illegal take of birds, eggs, young, and nests under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

• Riparian areas (including the Whitelaw Riparian Improvement Project) or wetlands where populations of sensitive species are located will be avoided during ground disturbance. Project activities will avoid the creation of barriers (e.g., new open roads) between redbelly snake hibernacula, wetlands, and riparian areas. Sufficient overstory and ground litter will be maintained in order to maintain moisture regimes, ground level temperatures, and humidity.

• Disturbance to snail colonies in wetland and riparian areas will be avoided in order to minimize impacts to sensitive and species of local concern. Sufficient overstory and ground litter will be maintained in order to maintain moisture regimes, ground level temperatures, and humidity.

• Forest Service-approved buffers delineated for particular site conditions will be applied around water sources, wetlands and riparian areas, and streams to avoid concentrations of Forest Service-approved chemical herbicides in waterways that may harm aquatic life and non-targeted vegetation.

2.6 CULTURAL RESOURCES

Class III cultural resource surveys will be conducted for proposed areas of disturbance. The following measures will minimize impacts to cultural resources:

• Any identified eligible or unevaluated cultural resource sites will be avoided by project activities.

• If previously undiscovered cultural resources are exposed as a result of exploration operations, RER will cease operations, leave discoveries intact and notify the District

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Ranger. Work will not resume until notified in writing by the District Ranger that compliance withe the provisions for mitigating unforeseen impacts have been satisfied.

2.7 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Hazardous substances will include diesel fuel, gasoline, and lubricating grease. Diesel fuel will be transported in a truck-bed mounted external tank and in internal vehicle fuel tanks. Gasoline will be transported in hand-held containers and in internal vehicle fuel tanks. Lubricating grease will be transported in 5-gallon tubs. The following measures will be implemented to minimize impacts:

• Material Safety Data Sheets will be available for all substances. • All containers of hazardous substances will be labeled and handled in accordance with

Wyoming Department of Transportation and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations.

• RER will prepare and follow a Spill Prevention Plan.

2.8 INVASIVE SPECIES

Surveys for Wyoming State designated noxious weeds and Crook County declared weeds were conducted in conjunction with baseline vegetation sampling within the Project Area August 15-18, 2011. All designated noxious weeds and declared weeds observed during these surveys were GPS located and mapped. The following measures will be implemented to minimize effect from invasive species:

• A Weed Management Plan has been completed for the Bear Lodge Project in 2012. The plan outlines all other protection measures listed below and includes a weed treatment schedule and describes methods of treatment.

• Wyoming State designated noxious weeds and Crook County declared weeds will be dealt with in accordance with the Weed and Pest Control Act of 1973, the Wyoming Seed Laws, and the Crook County Weed Control Supervisors.

• Monitoring for noxious, declared, or non-native species will continue during project implementation. If new noxious weed infestations are found during implementation, actions to minimize spread will be taken.

• To prevent importation of noxious or declared weed and/or invasive non-native seed:

All equipment will be washed free of all mud and vegetative debris prior to being moved into the Project Area.

Washing will occur at either a commercial truck wash or at a private facility where the water and debris are collected for treatment or disposal in an appropriate land fill.

Seed will be tested for noxious weeds at the time of purchase (Forest Plan Standard 4306).

• Noxious and declared weeds will be eradicated consistent with the Forest Service Weed Management Plan (2003) and Bear Lodge Project Weed Management Plan during operation and for 3 years after disturbance; until noxious weeds are eliminated from disturbed areas or at pre-disturbance levels.

• Herbicide use in the treatment of noxious weeds will be conducted in appropriate with EPA guidelines and as specified by the product label. Approved herbicides for

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the Black Hills National Forest are listed in the Weed Management Plan (Forest Service, 2003). • Buffers will be used around water sources, lakes, wetlands and riparian areas,

and streams to keep concentrations of chemical herbicides in water well below those harmful to drinking, irrigation, aquatic life, and non-target vegetation. Treatment of individual plants with aquatic-labeled chemical agents may occur in buffers (Forest Plan Standard 4308).

2.9 RECLAMATION

All drill holes will be abandoned in accordance with WWQRR as mentioned in Section 1.3.3, above.The goal of the phased exploration/reclamation process is to limit the total active disturbance acreage at any one time. Reclamation of drill pads and sumps will be conducted concurrently with other project activities in areas that are no longer needed for mineral exploration following completion or abandonment of the drill site. Concurrent reclamation would be conducted on roads that are no longer needed for access. The remaining temporary and reopened roads and drill sites would receive final reclamation within 2 years after completion or abandonment and will include the following: a) closure to normal vehicular traffic; b) construction of cross drains, dips, or water bars where needed; c) shaping road surface to as near a natural contour as possible, stabilizing with windrowed topsoil; and d) seeding all regraded areas with the reclamation seed mixture in Table 2. The Forest Service would be notified prior to the commencement of annual reclamation work.

Table 2 Seed Mixture

Common Name Scientific Name Percent of Mixture (pounds) Annual rye Lolium multiflorum 13

Slender wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus 25 Prairie junegrass Koeleria macrantha 2

Western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii 30 Canada wildrye Elymus Canadensis 30

Drill sites adjacent to existing roads would be scarified if compaction occurs. Drill sites adjacent to the existing roads would then be reseeded with the approved certified weed-free seed mix in Table 2 at the appropriate time of year and at an application rate for optimum seed sprouting and plant growth. The seeding would be completed using a broadcast method. The reclaimed surfaces would be left in a textured or rough condition in order to provide protection of the seed and retain moisture.

Constructed sumps would be reclaimed when dry, which may take one or two months, and would be backfilled with spoil material, smoothed to match the contours, and the surface would be seeded in accordance with the methods described above. Seeded areas would be monitored for stability and revegetation success, during the spring or fall, for a minimum of 3 years until attainment of the revegetation standards established by the WDEQ-LQD and the Forest Service.