BLM Issues Decision for Relief Canyon Mine Project
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Winnemucca, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Winnemucca District, Humboldt River Field Office has issued a Decision Record and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Gold Acquisition Corporation (GAC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pershing Gold Corporation, on its Relief Canyon project. The Relief Canyon Mine is located in Pershing County approximately 17.5 miles east northeast of Lovelock, in Packard Flat between the Humboldt and West Humboldt ranges.
The Relief Canyon Mine began operations in 1981 and has been owned and operated under several different owners over the past 35 years. GAC recently purchased the property and submitted a Modification to the Plan of Operations (NVN 064634) to expand the mine.
The Decision Record implements the proposed action. Past BLM authorizations have approved up to 622.5 acres of surface disturbance at the Relief Canyon Mine. The proposed modification will result in 211.8 acres of new disturbance in addition to the 396.6 acres currently in use. The proposed uses of the new disturbance will differ from what was authorized prior to this modification to the Plan of Operation. Some facilities like the leach pads will have smaller footprints while the pit, roads, and other ancillary facilities will be expanded or added. These changes will not result in more total disturbance.
The Environmental Assessment, Decision Record, and FONSI are available on our National Environmental Policy Act webpage at http://1.usa.gov/1NrpZHI. Hardcopies of these documents are available upon request or are available for review at the Winnemucca District Office during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. For more information, please contact Lorence Busker, Project Lead, at (775) 623-1500 or lbusker@blm.gov.
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.