For Immediate Release: August 29, 2000        
Contact:   John Dearing (916) 978-4622 or  Jan Bedrosian (916) 978-4616

Draft EIS for Proposed Mine Expansion
Released for Public Review

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Imperial County have released the draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the proposed expansion of the Mesquite Mine for public review and comment.

The draft EIS/EIR analyzes seven alternatives, including the agency's preferred alternative.  The document also analyzes potential environmental impacts associated with each alternative.  BLM and the county oversaw the preparation of the draft EIS/EIR, which was prepared by a third party contractor. 

Newmont Gold Company, operator of the Mesquite Gold Mine, has proposed to expand mining operations through a plan modification.   The Mesquite Mine will deplete current ore reserves by the end of year 2000. 

The proposed expansion would extend mining operations through 2006.  Approximately 89 million tons of ore and 242 million tons of waste rock would be mined from two existing pits.  If approved, the expansion would encompass approximately 350 acres of federal, state, and private (patented) land, of which 76 acres would be new disturbance.

Review copies of the entire draft EIS/EIR are available at BLM's California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, and El Centro Field Office, 1661 South Main Street, El Centro, CA, the Imperial County Planning and Building Department, 939 Main Street, El Centro, and local libraries in San Diego and Imperial Counties and Yuma, Arizona. 

The draft EIS/EIR also is online at www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro/mesquite.html.  To obtain a copy of the draft EIS/EIR, contact Jurg Heuberger, Imperial County Planning and Building Department, at (760) 482-4236 extension 4310, or Kevin Marty in BLM's El Centro office at BLM at (760) 337-4422.

Public comments regarding the draft EIS/EIR for the proposed expansion of the Mesquite Mine will be accepted through November 7, 2000.  Written comments should be submitted to the Greg Thomsen, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, El Centro Field Office, 1661 South 4th Street, El Centro, CA  92243.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office - 6221 Box Springs Blvd,
Riverside, California - (909) 697-5220