U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
 
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Public Comment Sought On Placer Dome Bond Release Application

The public is invited to comment on a Placer Dome U.S., Inc., application to the BLM Ely Field Office for a bond release for the Little Bald Mountain Mine. Exploration activities at the site were initiated in 1984 by New Dynasty Mine (U.S.), Inc. Mining and ore processing on heap leach pads occurred from 1985 to 1991 with re-leaching continuing until 1992. In December 1992, New Dynasty submitted a Plan of Operations and Reclamation Application, which was subsequently revised in March 1993. The Bald Mountain Mine acquired the Little Bald Mountain Mine site in the summer of 1993, as part of a land package encompassing the Dynasty Basin. Placer Dome in May 1998 submitted to the BLM and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation an amendment to the mining plan to increase the surface disturbance by 8.5 acres to allow for a borrow source to be used for closure activities.

Originally initiated in 1993, reclamation and closure activities at the Little Bald Mountain site have since been completed. In February 2004, Placer Dome submitted a copy of Little Bald Mountain Mine Evaluation of Final Closure requesting retirement of the Water Pollution Control Permit NEV50017. Effective June 25, 2004, this permit was retired. With retirement of this permit, post closure monitoring will no longer be required. Reclamation activities include the following:

  • 4 acres of waste dump
  • 8 acres of roads
  • 6.3 acres associated with the process area
  • 1 acres of process ponds
  • 6.5 acres of heap leach pads
  • 2 acres of infiltration field to discharge water off the heap.
  • 8.5 acres of borrow material to provide a soil cap on the leach pad to provide for vegetation and minimize drain-down off the heap.
  • 2.3 acres of pit area that will not be reclaimed. The pit is fenced and Placer Dome is planning a separate financial instrument for long term maintenance of the fence and safety issues associated with this pit.

Placer Dome is committed throughout their claim block to an ongoing tri-county agreement for weed control. Long term provisions for public safety maintenance around the open pit will remain in place. A bond for $186,388 is currently in place and is scheduled for full release.

As part of the Federal Regulations for bond release, the public has 30 days to comment before the bond release procedures may begin. If you have questions or comments about this bond release, contact Lynn Bjorklund, BLM Ely Field Office mining reclamation and compliance specialist, at 775 289-1893.

 
Last updated: 03-03-2007