Sumpter Development LLC - Cracker Creek
Sumpter Development LLC is proposing to reopen four major historical mines and construct a processing plant, including a gravity circuit and flotation circuit, on private historical mining property in Baker County, approximately 19 miles west of Baker City and 6 miles north of Sumpter.
Overview
- Oregon's Consolidated Permitting of Mining Operations Rules apply to this project.
- Under state law, The Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) manages the consolidated application process for chemical mining permits. DOGAMI's 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 (OWRD). 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 permitting process provides multiple opportunities for the public and interested stakeholders to participate in reviewing and commenting on Sumpter's application and the consolidated permit requirements.
Project History
Timeline
December 2025: Sumpter Development files an NOI to develop a a gold extraction and processing mine in Baker County.
(last updated 01/07/2026)