Comments on the DEIS are being requested from the public and must be received by March 5.

The proposal would extend the mine life by five years including three years of active mining and two additional years of leaching following cessation of mining. The expansion proposes to deepen the existing pit, expand and add waste rock storage facilities, heap leach pads, process ponds, groundwater dewatering facilities, and groundwater re-infiltration facilities. Upon cessation of mining, an approximately 57-acre pit lake will develop.

During this time, the BLM will also be taking public comments on the proposed modified Plan of Operations for the Relief Canyon Mine, as provided for in the Surface Management regulations, 43 CFR 3809. Information on the project and links to submit comments can be found on the project’s ePlanning site.

Public comments can be submitted through the BLM’s ePlanning project webpage, by mail, or to wfoweb@blm.gov. Include Relief Canyon Mine Expansion in the subject line.

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment — including personal identifying information — may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.