BLM Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Rossi Mine Expansion Project in Elko County, Nevada
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ELKO, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today released a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Halliburton Energy Services’ proposed Rossi Barite Mine Expansion Project in Elko County, Nevada. Publication of the final EIS commences a 30-day review period, after which the BLM will issue a final record of decision for the proposed expansion.
If approved, the expansion is projected to employ up to an estimated 433 individuals and would extend the mine life for an additional 8 years. The proposed action would increase the surface disturbance to approximately a total acreage of 2,063 acres of public and private land, including 896 acres of authorized and existing disturbance and 1,167 acres of new land disturbance. Of the 2,063 acres of surface disturbance, approximately 209 acres consists of private land and 1,854 acres of public land administered by the BLM.
The Rossi Mine Expansion Project is a modification to the existing Rossi Mine Plan of Operations. The mine is located on the northern end of the Carlin Trend in Elko County, approximately 25 miles north of the community of Dunphy and 28 miles northwest of Carlin, Nevada. The Rossi Mine produces barite ore that is refined into a final product (e.g. drilling additives or mud) used anywhere in the United States and the world for drilling oil and gas, water wells, and other mineral exploration.
The proposed action includes expansion of the existing project boundary and existing open pits, development of new open pits, expansion of the existing waste rock disposal facilities, construction of new waste rock disposal facilities, expansion or modification of ancillary facilities, expansion and development of new roads, re-alignment of segments of the Boulder Valley Road and Antelope-Boulder Connector Road, installation of new power distribution lines, the continuation of surface exploration, and reclamation activities.
The Final EIS is in abbreviated format that builds upon content in the earlier Draft EIS; therefore, readers should refer to the Draft EIS in conjunction with the Final EIS. Copies of the Final EIS are available at the BLM Elko District Office, located at 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko Nevada 89801, and online at the BLM’s eplanning website at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/60685/510.
Questions concerning this project should be addressed to Janice Stadelman at the above address, email – jstadelm@blm.gov or by phone at (775) 753-0346.
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.