Nov 27 2015
THEMAC Resources Group Limited is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Copper Flat Project, opening a 45-day public comment period.
The BLM has prepared the Draft EIS in conjunction with its four Cooperating Agencies: the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico Environment Department, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, and New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.
THEMAC, through its subsidiary New Mexico Copper Corporation, is seeking approval from the BLM to bring the closed copper mine, Copper Flat, located near Hillsboro, New Mexico, back into production. The 2,190-acre project requires access to BLM-managed public land and private property, for the production of copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum. The Draft EIS presents the mine plan for the proposed re-start of Copper Flat as well as two alternative mine plan scenarios and evaluates the environmental impact of the proposed action alternatives.
Since the kickoff of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) mandated Environmental Impact Statement process in January of 2012, the BLM has reviewed the proposed mining plan and alternatives as well as the results of environmental studies and surveys in the area regarding air quality, climate, geologic setting, ground water, soils, surface water, vegetation, wildlife, and a number of other topics. The Draft EIS presents BLM's findings regarding the potential environmental impacts of the proposed re-start of Copper Flat Mine for public review and comment.
Should the Copper Flat Mine be brought back into production it is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the state of New Mexico and Sierra County through job creation and tax revenues. If construction proceeds, we expect the Project would create approximately 1,300 direct, indirect and induced jobs. Once in operation, the proposed Copper Flat Mine is expected to generate approximately 250-275 direct jobs. The estimated total tax paid over construction and the mine life is approximately $175 million; $53 of which will go to the state of New Mexico.
"The release of the Draft EIS is an important milestone for the proposed Copper Flat Mine," said CEO Andrew Maloney. "We are pleased to have reached this stage and to advance the permitting process for Copper Flat in accordance with Federal and State regulations."
With the release of the Draft EIS, the BLM is commencing a 45-day comment period. The comment period will end on January 19, 2016. Members of the public will have the opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed Project at two public meetings in New Mexico.
The Draft EIS can be viewed at www.blm.gov/nm/copperflateis along with information for submission of comments and public hearings.
The qualified person under NI 43-101 responsible for the review of the technical content of this news release is Mr. Jeffrey Smith, P.E., Chief Operating Officer of the Company.
Source: http://themacresourcesgroup.com/