Public Comment Period Extended for Briggs Mine Expansion

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is extending the public comment period for the proposed 94-acre expansion of the CR Briggs Corporation’s gold mine operations area to Aug. 31, 2011.  The operation is located eight miles south of Ballarat, Calif. on the western front of the Panamint Mountains near Death Valley National Park.

Briggs has proposed expanding the existing 2,363-acre operations area, including the Goldtooth pit and associated additions to stockpiles of waste rock, ore, and topsoil in the southern portion. The expansion would extend the mine life by three to five years.

An Environmental Assessment has been prepared analyzing impacts that could result from the proposed expansion. The EA can be viewed at: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ridgecrest.html

Public comments should be made in writing and addressed to: Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Field Office, Attn: Goldtooth South Project, 300 S. Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA  93555.

For further information contact Randy Porter, BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, at (760) 384-5452.

California Desert District   22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos      Moreno Valley, CA 92553