Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:

Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory

Description:

This project is posted in the interest of transparency and response to Executive Order 14241.

Project Sponsor proposes to mine gold and silver ore in Owyhee County, Idaho, replacing two existing Plans of Operations with a single updated Mine Plan of Operations (MPO). If approved, the BLM would authorize operations such as expanding existing pits, developing new heap leach facilities, constructing haul and access roads, installing utility lines, and building water management features, monitoring wells, and a shop and office facilities—all while implementing environmental protection measures and reclamation.

The proposed MPO could result in approximately 1,618 acres of new surface disturbance while also using 1,566 acres with existing surface disturbance for a total of 3,184 acres. Of the 3,184 acres of surface disturbance, 994 acres would be on BLM-managed public lands, 6 acres on state land, and 2,184 acres on private land with approximately 300 acres of split estate. The MPO boundary encompasses approximately 13,424 acres (6,708 acres on BLM-managed public lands, 2,835 acres on state land, and 3,881 acres on private land) that includes 285 patented claims and 300 unpatented claims.

Cooperating Agencies: Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency.