BLM approves Doe Run lease modifications for minerals exploration in southeast Missouri
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Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northeastern States District released its approved Decision Record of the environmental assessment for the Doe Run Company Lease Modifications, which authorizes three requested lease modifications at the company’s existing mine in Reynolds and Shannon counties, Missouri. The leases will now extend Doe Run’s underground mining operations to an additional 1,500 acres underlying National Forest System lands managed by the Mark Twain National Forest and 50 acres underlying lands privately owned by Doe Run.
The decision is the culmination of more than a year of evaluation and public engagement. In collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, BLM conducted a science-based environmental assessment to evaluate the potential impacts of the requested lease modifications. The analysis and decision were informed by comments gathered from a 30-day public comment period and consultation with local tribes.
Since the 1950s, Doe Run and its predecessors have actively mined within the Viburnum Trend region where lead mining has occurred since the 1700s. The expansion from Doe Run’s existing underground mining operation into adjacent mineral deposits associated with the lease modifications will be the least impactful and most cost-effective way to continue mining operations required to meet global demand for lead, copper and zinc.
The modification of the leases conforms to existing agency plans, including the 2005 Forest Plan for the Mark Twain National Forest and the BLM’s Missouri Planning Analysis for management of federal minerals underlying non-Forest Service federal, state, and private surface lands in Missouri.
Additional information on the environmental assessment and related decision documents is available online at the BLM’s ePlanning site.
The BLM manages more than 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.