Book Description

The New Mexico Copper Corporation (NMCC) has submitted to the BLM the Copper Flat Mine Plan of Operations (MPO), dated December 2010 and revised June 2011, for the proposed reestablishment of a poly-metallic mine and processing facility located near Hillsboro, New Mexico on BLM-managed public land. The mine was previously owned and operated by Quintana Minerals Corporation (Quintana). Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and supported by National Environmental Policy Act analysis, the BLM will decide whether to approve the MPO with modifications, and if so, under what terms and conditions. NMCC's Proposed Action includes an open pit mine, flotation mill, TSF, waste rock disposal areas, a low-grade ore stockpile, and ancillary facilities. Proposed land reclamation efforts during mine operations and following mine closure would significantly improve an existing brownfield site. The previous Quintana operation worked at a 15,000-ton per day (tpd) rate; the Proposed Action increases that throughput to 17,500 tpd. Additional alternatives are identified for rates of 25,000 tpd and 30,000 tpd. The "No Action" Alternative describes conditions expected to occur if there would be no new mining activity.