Newmont Mining’s Twin Creeks plan up for public comment

The Bureau of Land Management Winnemucca district, Humboldt River field office, has completed a preliminary environmental assessment to analyze the impacts associated with a proposed modification to Newmont Mining Corporation’s Twin Creeks Mine plan of operations.

According to the BLM, the modified plan proposes expanding operations at the existing Twin Creeks Mine, which is approximately 35 miles northeast of Winnemucca. The public is invited to provide substantive comments on the PEA until the comment period ends on October 20, 2015.

The proposed expansion would include approximately 161 acres of public and private land within the existing plan boundary. It would expand and deepen the existing Vista pit towards the east over an existing haul road, heap leach pad, and surfaces already approved for disturbance.

The heap leach pad has already been moved, and the haul road and any structures would be moved prior to pit expansion. In addition to the expanded pit, the proposed project also includes continued dewatering of the Vista Pit, placement of waste rock on existing waste rock facilities and other areas approved for placement, using existing ore processing and refining facilities, and realignment and construction of ancillary infrastructure including haul roads, access roads and dewatering wells.

Comments submitted for this project, including names and addresses of commentors will be available for public review at the Winnemucca district office during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

For further information, Kathleen Rehberg, Project Lead, at 775- 623-1500.