BLM announces public meeting on environmental assessment for proposed mine
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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting a public meeting on July 25 to provide information on a proposed magnesium/dolomite quarry mine in Luna County, and to gather input in the preparation of an environmental assessment (EA). The meeting will be held at the Mimbres Valley Learning Center at 2300 E. Pine St. in Deming, NM from 6 to 8 p.m.
American Magnesium, LLC submitted a Plan of Operation to the BLM Las Cruces District for its proposed Foothill Dolomite Mine Project. The company proposes to develop a 40-acre site as a dolomite quarry mine on BLM-managed public land located 12 miles south of Deming, and estimates the mine would be operational for 20 years.
The meeting initiates a 30-day public scoping period for the EA. The Proposed Action for the Project will consist of improvements to an existing BLM road, construction of a new mine site access road, laydown yard and temporary structures, as well as resource verification drilling, excavation and removal of dolomite resources. The meeting will provide detailed information on the anticipated total surface disturbance; phases of the mine development; dolomite blasting and removal; and site reclamation once mining is completed.
Dolomite is a form of the mineral magnesium, which has been identified as a critical mineral by Executive Order 13817, Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals, and is listed on the Department of the Interior’s Final List of Critical Minerals.
Public comments on the proposed Project will be accepted until August 16, 2019. Comments can be submitted by one of the following methods:
- Email: File your comments electronically by sending them to: BLM_NM_LCDO_Comments@blm.gov. Please include “Foothill Dolomite Mine EA” in the subject line of the email.
- Mail: BLM Las Cruces District Office, ATTN: Foothill Dolomite Mine EA, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005
- Public Meeting: Written comments will be accepted at the meeting on designated forms provided by the BLM.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised your entire comment may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request for your comment to be withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
For more information on the Project, how to comment, or to request to be added or removed from the mailing list, contact BLM project lead Leighandra Keeven at (575) 525-4337 or via email at lkeeven@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.