BLM seeks comments on placer gold mine expansion proposal
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BAKER CITY, Ore. — Today, the Bureau of Land Management Baker Field Office opened a 30-day public comment period through March 23, for a proposed placer gold mining operation on about 100 acres of public land in southwestern Baker County.
The Denton Gold Danser’s operation is located on Clarks Creek, 30 miles south of Baker City and 30 miles east of Unity. The proposed Plan of Operations would expand mineral exploration activities beyond the current 5-acre and 1,000-ton limits and would initiate mining level activities.
“A gold rush in the 1860s is what brought about the settlement of eastern Oregon,” said Joe Aragon, BLM Field Manager. “Timber and ranching followed to supply miners and settlers with building materials and meat.”
The plan proposes a 250-acre mining claim boundary, which would include approximately 50 acres of mining-related disturbances at three separate mine sites, as well as two potential exploration/mining sites on approximately 50 acres that would include separate processing and camping/occupancy areas.
The proposed mining operations would take place over a 16-year period, and the reclamation of the disturbed lands would occur concurrently with the mining activities throughout the life of the mine. If the plan is approved, the notice would be closed, and the associated reclamation and financial guarantee requirements would be transferred to the plan.
This scoping period is an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to weigh in on proposed mining operations on public lands. Comments generated will be used to develop an Environmental Assessment that will assess the environmental consequences of the proposed plan.
Comments can be submitted to BLM_OR_BK_Mail@blm.gov or mailed to: Attn: Danser Expansion Project c/o Baker Field Office, 3100 H St., Baker City, OR 97814.
To view the project documents or submit comments through the project ePlanning site go to https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022920/510
For additional project information, please contact Larisa Bogardus at 541-523-1407 or lbogardus@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.