BLM takes another step toward approving Mount Hope Project in Eureka County
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BATTLE MOUNTAIN, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management, Mount Lewis Field Office, has published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register for the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mount Hope Mine Project about 23 miles northwest of the town of Eureka. Today’s publication opens a 30-day review period.
The supplemental EIS for the proposed molybdenum mine and related development is a response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s remand decision for further action on issues identified in its December 28, 2016, decision. The EIS includes the following: 1) an explanation of the usage of baseline values of zero for several air pollutants; 2) a quantitative cumulative air quality impacts analysis; and 3) a clarification of the status of certain springs and water holes under Executive Order Public Water Reserve No. 107.
The BLM signed a record of decision, approved a mine plan of operations and issued right-of-way grants on November 16, 2012. The project consists of a proposed molybdenum mine including a power transmission line, a water well field, and all associated facilities to be located on public land administered by the BLM Mount Lewis Field Office and on private land controlled by Eureka Moly, LLC. The project will utilize an open pit mining method and will process the mined ore using a flotation and roasting process. When completed, a total of 8,618 acres of disturbance would occur within the 23,065-acre project area. Molybdenum is used in steel alloys, including high-strength alloys and super alloys.
The FSEIS and other relevant documents have been made available at https://go.usa.gov/xUhRK.
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.