BLM Winnemucca District is asking for written comments regarding an Environmental Assessment being completed by the Humboldt River Field Office for an amended plan of operations submitted by Marigold Mining Company. The amended plan will modify existing and authorized operations.
The proposed project changes are located at the existing Marigold Mine in the northern Battle Mountain Range in Humboldt County. The mine is approximately three miles south of Valmy.
Marigold's plan proposes to expand the mine's existing associated disturbance area of 4,441.2 acres by an additional 388.6 acres for a total of 4,829.8 acres. Only 42.1 of the 388.6 additional acres are actually on public lands. The remaining 345.1 acres are located on private land aready controlled by the mine.
The plan will:
• Expand the boundaries to coincide with Marigold land holdings;
• Increase the mined tonnage rate from 60 million tons per year to approximately 150 million tons per year (primarily by using larger equipment and shortening the distances material must be hauled);
• Add the Target 3 pit in the previously approved disturbance footprint of the section 30 heap leach facility which was not constructed;
• Modify the Terry Zone, East Hill Pit, and Target 2 Pit boundaries with an overall change in disturbance acres for the East Hill Pit;
• Extend the North - West Expansion Waste Rock Storage Area;
• Adjust the location of a portion of the upper Trout Creek diversion channel around the North - West Expansion Waste Rock Storage Area;
• Extend the boundary fence around the North - West Expansion Waste Rock Storate Area ;
• Add a secondary utility corridor.
The BLM will be preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed project to disclose any environmental impacts expected from the project's implementation. BLM is seeking public input in identifying issues and concerns or additional knowledge to assist in completion of the NEPA process.
The public is invited to submit comments on the proposal no later than 30 days after Dec. 19, 2012. Written comments should be sent to Ms. Jeanette L. Black, project lead at the BLM Winnemucca District Office; 5100 East Winnemucca Boulevard; Winnemucca, Nevada 89445. Or, comments can be emailed to jblack@blm.gov with "Marigold Mine Target 3 Project (Black)" in the subject line. BLM's official letter and maps are available through the links available on the BLM's NEPA webpage at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/wfo.html.
Public comments submitted for this project, including names and addresses of commenters, will be available for public review at the Winnemucca District Office during regular business hours 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
Those submitting comments should be aware that their entire coment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. Any additional questions may be directed to Ms. Jeanette Black at (775)623-1794.
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