good article probably already posted somewhere her

good article probably already posted somewhere here though I dont remember seeing it- people are so predictable -the volume that went at recent low is now on the auction block for a quick flip-if approvals voiced by BLM themselves come thru shortly as expected pps will be higher than this

Daily miner article:
12/13/2012 6:00:00 AM


Ahron Sherman
Miner Staff Reporter


The process to open the Chloride Copper Mine, formerly known as Emerald Isle, has been drawn out over the last year, but it's getting to the point where those involved can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Sierra Resource Group, the Nevada-based mining company working to re-establish the mine, hired Paul C. Rizzo Associates, Inc. to deal with the Bureau of Land Management's permitting process, which starts with the Mine Plan of Operations.

Known as an MPO, the document outlines everything Sierra plans to do with the site, from mining and milling to reclamation. Once submitted, BLM reviews it and, if needed, requests revisions.

"There's been a lot of revisions made to the document over the last year," said Buzz Todd, lead geologist at the BLM Kingman office and the one in charge of Sierra's permitting process.

"But we're very, very close to having a technically complete document."

Todd took charge of the case in September. Sierra thought its MPO had been accepted by BLM that same month, but Todd, who has many years of experience, re-opened the case for additional review.

A better review lends itself to a better product and leads to fewer environmental impacts, he said.

The most recent MPO revision was submitted Dec. 8. Based on what he's seen, Todd expects for Sierra to have a completed MPO no later than mid-January.

After that's complete, the parties involved will turn their attention to the National Environmental Protection Act-required environmental assessment.

This part of the process should be easier than the MPO process because issues expected to come up in the environmental assessment were considered while going through the MPO process, Todd said.

"We've been trying to address environmental issues throughout," Todd said.

The environmental assessment allows Sierra to propose mitigation of significant environmental effects to less-than-significant levels. The proposal will be based on what's been outlined in the MPO.

Todd expects Sierra to have a complete environmental assessment to present to the community for comment no later than mid-February.

"They're doing real good," Todd said of Sierra and Paul C. Rizzo Associates' involvement in the process. "I've enjoyed working with them."

Todd explained that the process Sierra has gone through up to this point is no different than what other mining companies go through.

"The interactive process has been positive and continues according to the schedule laid out by BLM," said Rod Martin, Sierra's CEO. "It's been very smooth, primarily because of what Paul C. Rizzo Associates and the BLM both bring to the table."

The company expects to hire 20 people to work the mine once it begins operations. Some of those are high-level positions. Martin said those are being filled with a staffing service.

For truck drivers and all other labor-based positions at the mine, Martin said Sierra plans to start hiring in April.

Jobs will be advertised in local publications and the community will get a heads up once Sierra is ready to start filling the 18 labor-based positions, Martin said.