BLM seeks public input on proposed Burro Creek Exploration Project

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

Media Contact:

Rod Crum, Public Affairs Specialist

KINGMAN, Ariz. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Kingman Field Office is seeking public input on a Preliminary Environmental Assessment of a proposed hard rock mining exploration project on public lands located near Wikieup, in Mohave County.

The Burro Creek Exploration Project Environmental Assessment analyzes the potential environmental impacts of an Exploration Plan of Operations submitted by Sitka Gold Corporation (Sitka) for their Burro Creek project, which is located near their current exploration site on privately owned land. The BLM welcomes public comments on the Environmental Assessment through July 27, 2022.

Sitka’s proposal includes exploration drilling at 14 locations on BLM-managed public lands adjacent to their current exploration site. Drilling platforms would be constructed by hand on site, with wood and drilling equipment transported to the sites by helicopter. The surface disturbance areas are limited to the footprint of each pier supporting the wooden platforms, with each platform area to measure thirty-nine square feet, or less. The total surface disturbance of the proposed project is 0.01 acre of public land.

Under the proposal, reclamation would be performed with hand tools. Drill platforms would be dismantled, and the materials re-used at a new location during the project. Any rock piers constructed as platform foundations would be deconstructed and the rocks moved to their original location from wooden platforms constructed by hand.

Additional details and a map can be found in the environmental assessment, located on the BLM’s National NEPA register project webpage at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2017693/510.

The 30-day public comment period ends on July 27, 2022. Electronic comments may be submitted via the BLM’s ePlanning website link shown above. Written comments may be submitted to BLM Kingman Field Office, 2755 Mission Blvd, Kingman, AZ 86401. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the environmental assessment, contact the BLM Kingman Field Office at 928-718-3700. If you have any project related questions, please contact Paul Misiaszek, Geologist, at pmisiasz@blm.gov, or at 928-718-3700.

For further information please contact the Kingman Field Office at 928-718-3700.


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.