U.S. Forest Service advances plans for small-scale silver mine operation near Breckenridge
The U.S. Forest Service began accepting public comment on the proposed small-scale silver mining activities at the Tony Mine near Breckenridge earlier this year
U.S. Forest Service/Courtesy illustration
The U.S. Forest Service is accepting objections to a proposed small-scale silver mine operation near Breckenridge. Objections will only be accepted by those who have previously submitted specific written comments.
The Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment, draft decision notice and a finding of no significant impact for the Tony Mine plan of operations, according to a news release.
Under the proposal, between two and six mine workers would access the existing Tony Mine adit on foot 30 to 45 days per year, the release states. From there, ore would reportedly be transported by one-ton pickup truck for off-site processing.
Waste rock would be left in unused portions of the mine, and a 20-foot metal storage container would be placed on the existing access road for tool storage and for use as a bunkhouse by the workers, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
No surface disturbance is anticipated under the proposed plan of operations for the Tony Mine, which is in the Middle Fork of the Swan River drainage, the release states.
The five unpatented mining claims associated with the Tony Mine are held by the operator Cody Brewer, according to project documents, and administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Under the 1872 Mining Law and associated regulations, the Forest Service’s role is to analyze the proposed plan of operations to determine reasonable requirements to ensure that adverse environmental effects to surface resources are minimized as well as to comply with all applicable environmental laws, the release states.
The operator is required to obtain any additional permits that may be necessary from local, state and federal agencies, according to the news release.
The draft documents for the Tony Mine plan of operations are available upon request from the Dillon Ranger District office or at FS.USDA.gov/project/whiteriver/?project=66140. Additional information can also be obtained from Forest Service lands and minerals specialist Cindy Ebberts at 970-274-9912 or by email at cynthia.ebbert@usda.gov.
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