Calico Resources USA Corp. - Grassy Mountain
Calico Resources USA Corp. (Calico) is proposing to construct an underground gold mine and an indoor processing facility on a site in Malheur County about 22 miles south-southwest of Vale. The site includes both private and public lands managed by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Overview
- Oregon's Chemical Mining Rules apply to this project because cyanide is proposed for processing the gold. The processed tailings will be placed in a tailings disposal facility. This facility must be lined, capped and designed to avoid any discharge to groundwater or surface waters. The impoundment will be capped and sealed upon completion. The overall project is being designed to avoid any discharge to surface or ground waters.
- Under state law, The Department of Geology and Mineral Industries' (DOGAMI) manages the consolidated application process for chemical mining permits. DOGAMI mission is to provide earth science information and regulation to make Oregon safe and prosperous.
- Permitting agencies involved in the consolidated application process include DOGAMI, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD). Depending on specific details related to mine construction and operation, permits from the Department of State Lands or the Oregon Health Authority may also be required. Other federal, state, or local regulations are also required, including local land use permitting
- Oregon law provides environmental performance standards that guide agencies' reviews. The intent is to minimize environmental damage through use of best available, practicable, and necessary technology and provide protection measures that are consistent with polices of the permitting agencies.
- A wildlife protection plan will be required to ensure no overall loss of wildlife habitat and to meet the State requirement of an objective of zero wildlife mortality.
- The first steps of the chemical mining permit process have been completed by Calico. They have issued a
Notice of Intent to submit an application and are collecting baseline data. DOGMI anticipates Calico will file a Consolidated Application in late 2018. The Consolidated Application will provide the details of their proposal including an operating plan, baseline data, reclamation and closure plan, and an alternatives analysis. The Consolidated Application will also include appropriate applications for other State-related, required permits.
- If the application is considered complete by the reviewing agencies, DOGAMI will issue a Notice to Proceed, beginning the State permitting process. State agencies will then prepare draft permits for public input, followed by the development of final permits.
The permitting process provides multiple opportunities for the public and interested stakeholders to participate in reviewing and commenting on Calico's application and the consolidated permit requirements.
Project Status
11/15/19 Notice of Receipt of Consolidated Permit
On November 15, 2019, Calico Resources USA Corporation (Calico) filed a Consolidated Permit Application under Oregon?s chemical process mining laws and regulations. Calico is proposing to construct an underground gold mine, surface mill complex, and tailings storage facility at Grassy Mountain, about 22 miles south-southwest of Vale in Malheur County. The site includes both private and public lands managed by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
In accordance with Oregon regulations, DOGAMI will provide copies of the application to affected governments and agencies. When all members of the Technical Review Team concur that the permitting and cooperating agencies are ready to being preparing draft permits, DOGAMI shall conduct a public hearing and accept written comments. Notice of the public hearing and comment period shall be given when the date, location, and period allowed for written comment has been established by DOGAMI.
5/17/17 - Notice of readiness to collect baseline data
On May 17, 2017, Calico Resources USA Corp. filed Environmental Baseline Study Work Plans pursuant to their Notice of Intent? February 28, 2017. The work plans proposed baseline data collection methodologies, study areas, and timing/duration of baseline data collection and verification. Public comments were accepted during informational meetings in Ontario and Bend, and during a public comment period. A
summary of public comments was provided to the Technical Review Team in July 2017.
An initial review of the plans for completeness identified
needed revisions and clarifications. The company filed revised
Environmental Baseline Study Work Plans on September 22, 2017. Review of the plans by the project Technical Review Team is ongoing.
02/28/17 - Notice of Intent
On February 28, 2017, Calico Resources USA Corp. filed a
Notice of Intent to proceed with permitting under Oregon?s chemical process mining law and regulations. Calico Resources USA Corp. is considering constructing an underground mine and surface mill complex to develop the Grassy Mountain gold resource. The proposed Permit Area (1,762 acres) encloses three (3) patented lode mining claims, access roads, and unpatented lode and mill site located on public land managed by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Project History
Timeline
November 2019: Calico files a consolidated permit application.
May 2017: Calico files a new notice of readiness to collect baseline data to accompany the February 2017 NOI.
February 2017: Calico files a new Notice of Intent, which replaces the July 2015 NOI. The new NOI expands the proposed permit boundary to 1,762 acres.
July 2016: Calico Resources is acquired by Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.
January 2016: The majority of the baseline data collection was complete and approved by the Technical Review Team.
August 2015: Calico files a new notice of readiness to collect baseline data to accompany the July 2015 NOI
July 2015: Calico files a new Notice of Intent, which replaces the June 2012 NOI. The new NOI changes the proposed location of processing facilities and eliminates a haul road.
March 2013: Final baseline study collection plans are approved by the project Technical Review Team.
September 2012: Calico files a notice of readiness to collect baseline data.
June 2012: Calico files a Notice of Intent to develop a gold extraction and processing mine in Malheur County.
(last updated 03/13/2023)