BLM Issues Record of Decision on Copper Flat Copper Mine Project
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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced today that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued the Record of Decision (ROD) on the Copper Flat Copper Mine Project (Project), approving Alternative 2 from the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The Project authorizes New Mexico Copper Corporation (Copper Corporation) to conduct mining activities in Sierra County, NM.
The FEIS was released to the public for a 30-day period on April 19, 2019. It was prepared in conjunction with four cooperating agencies, including the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; the New Mexico Environment Department; the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department; and the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer. The FEIS analyzed the potential environmental effects from the proposed Project, a poly-metallic mine and processing facility near Hillsboro, NM.
“This Project is a great example of working collaboratively with the State of New Mexico, industry and local communities to sustainably develop public land resources,” said Joe Balash, DOI Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. “President Donald Trump and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt have made projects like this one a priority. The DOI and BLM are proud to play a role.”
Assistant Secretary Balash made the decision to allow the Copper Corporation to extract and process copper ore under Alternative 2. The BLM determined implementation of Alternative 2, with the committed environmental protection measures outlined in the Mining Plan of Operations along with monitoring and mitigation measures, will not cause unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands and is consistent with other applicable legal requirements.
The General Mining Law of 1872 established the BLM’s authorization of this project. It entitles individuals to reasonable access to explore for and develop mineral deposits on public domain lands. As the federal agency responsible for managing mineral rights and access on certain federal lands, the BLM must ensure that the Copper Corporation’s proposal complies with the Mining and Mineral Policy Act of 1970 and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The BLM’s selection of Alternative 2 does not require an amendment to the BLM White Sands Resource Management Plan.
The ROD, FEIS, and associated Project documents can be viewed at: www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/plans-in-development/new-mexico/copper-flat-eis. For more information, contact BLM Geologist Leighandra Keeven at 575-525-4337 or 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.