Reno Gazette Journal 6-7-10

BLM approves Round Mountain expansion project

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Battle Mountain District, Tonopah Field Office announced today it had approved the record of decision and the amended plan of operations for the Round Mountain expansion project on June 30.

The plan will include expanding existing facilities at the Round Mountain Mine and developing new mining and leaching facilities at the adjacent Gold Hill ore deposit.

BLM said the project will increase the existing Round Mountain Mine's boundary by 3,122 acres to a total of 10,385 acres and add an additional 4,928 acres to accommodate the new Gold Hill facilities. Active mining is expected to last approximately 13 years. Ore processing will continue for several years after mining operations cease, followed by reclamation, site closure activities, and post-closure monitoring.