October Ore Pile mine plan of operations modification
The Bureau of Land Management announces the availability of a mine plan of operations modification proposal submitted by Aura Grit LLC for the October Mine Ore Pile located approximately 4 miles south of Gateway, in Mesa County. The BLM invites the public to review the proposal and submit comments by April 14.
Aura Grit would like to process the existing uranium ore pile onsite using a high‑pressure system to separate uranium and vanadium minerals from the surrounding host rock. This method would produce two materials: concentrated mineralized fines, which crews would transport to a licensed facility, and clean, sand‑sized rock to help reclaim the site. The area of surface disturbance would increase from 0.35 acre to 1.92 acres.
The current plan of operations, approved on Sept. 5, 2008, allows for removal of the uranium ore and hauling it to the White Mesa Mill in Blanding, Utah, and does not allow processing onsite.
The plan of operations modification is available to the public online below and on the BLM Grand Junction Field Office webpage from March 16 through April 17. Comments mailed to the field office must have a postmark no later than April 17. For email submissions, include “October Ore Pile Plan of Operations Comment” in the subject line and send no later than April 17.
Comments by Email: [email protected]
Comments by Mail:
BLM Grand Junction Field Office
Attn: Jennifer Whittington
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, CO, 81506
For additional information or questions, please contact:
Jennifer Whittington
(970) 244-3007 | [email protected]
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.