Florida Canyon mine proposing expansion

Environmental assessment available for review

LOVELOCK - The Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca District Office, Humboldt River Field Office (BLM) announces the release of the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the Jipangu International, Inc. (Jipangu) plan to expand operations at the existing Florida Canyon Mine. The Florida Canyon Mine is approximately 45 miles southwest of Winnemucca and 35 miles northeast of Lovelock in Pershing County.

Jipangu's existing plan of operations boundary is approximately 5,531 acres in size. The total surface disturbance for this expansion would be approximately 1,287 acres of combined public and private lands.

Proposed activities include:

• Revising the plan of operations boundary;

• Expanding the existing Phase 4 Main and Jasperoid Hill Pits;

• Modifying and expanding the existing South Waste Rock Storage Facility;

• Installing a new heap leach pad (South Heap Leach Pad);

• Installing a crusher and associated yard; and

• Installing other ancillary features including storm water ditches, borrow pits, sediment pond, growth media and riprap stockpiles, haul and access roads and laydown areas.

The public is invited to submit comments relative to the PEA. Comments should be submitted within 30 days of the Aug. 19 availability date of this PEA. Please send written comments to Fred Holzel, project manager, or e-mail wfoweb@blm.gov with Florida Canyon Mine Expansion (Holzel) in the subject line.

A "Dear Interested Public" letter and a map are also available on the NEPA webpage at http://on.doi.gov/1w5KGV6. In addition, a copy of Florida Canyon's Plan of Operations Amendment 20 is available for review at the Winnemucca District Office during regular business hours.

Public comments submitted for this modification, including names and addresses of commenters will be available for public review during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personnel identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request that the BLM withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so. If you wish us to withhold your personal information, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses available for public disclosure in their entirety.

If you have any questions, please contact Fred Holzel at (775) 623-1500.[[In-content Ad]]