Breckenridge Destinations supports independent journalism. Click for great deals on vacation lodging in Breckenridge.
A site plan for a proposed gold mine near Fairplay.
Wavering economy drives gold price upward; more mining proposals possible
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — With the price of gold surging to near $1,800 per ounce, it’s no wonder that there’s talk of new gold mines opening in Colorado. One of the latest proposals is for a small combination placer gold, sand and gravel mining operation on five acres on an 80-acre BLM parcel near Fairplay.
A BLM comment period on the proposed mine just ended. A draft environmental assessment will be posted at this BLM website.
The mine would operate between five and 10 years, shutting down for four to five months during the winter. The mine depth is estimated at 25 feet although the total depth of the deposit is estimated at 120 feet. The applicant indicated in the submissions that there could be a plan amendment submitted in the future to increase the pit depth to 50 feet.
Mining would begin in the northeast corner of the parcel with processing equipment set up on the western end of the site. Mining would begin on the east side of the site and progress westward. The overall pit area dimensions are estimated at 275 by 250 feet or about 1.5 acres. Processed material would stockpiled in the western portion of the project area for sale or later use in reclamation.
Access would be developed off of Thompson Park Road. The access road to the site would be approximately 1,050 feet in length by 30 feet wide. An 18” culvert would be installed at the entry point next to the county road.
The mine operator proposes hauling water to the site until he can get a well permit. The mine would use about 1,000 gallons per minute and would rely heavily on reuse of water. Ground water is not expected in the site area and there are no surface streams on the site.
Filed under: Colorado, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news Tagged: | BLM, Bureau of Land management, Fairplay, gold, gold mine, mining, South Park, Summit County News
Arapahoe Basin supports independent journalism. Click to visit The Legend online.
Powder's falling at Monarch!! Have you reserved your spot yet?
Innovative energy underwrites coverage of energy stories.
1,440,000 gallons a day trucked to the site, until a well could be drilled to supply the water for the operation? How many trucks will be required and what about wear to the highway? A small placer mining operation? The public should really scrutinize this scheme, as the devil is in the details.
Sounds like they’re talking about recycling most of the water, so I don’t think they’d have to truck in all that much. Looks like a pretty small operation in a previously disturbed area, and they’ll also be using the sand and gravel they process for construction material, so maybe not such a bad thing, but you’re right; it should be examined closely.
Well, we’ve at least got a South Park episode out of this.
I was thinking the same thing!
Bob,
There is an active group in Fairplay which is opposing this operation; I suggest you visit the website (www.nofairplaymine.org) to learn more about the propsed action and its possible effect to the town of Fairplay and residential development in the immediate vicinity. In addition, there are multiple discrepencies in the mine permit application – the real aim to be aggregate extraction or a placer gold operation; either require different permit processing and are regulated differently under the Mineral Materials Act of 1947 or Mining Law of 1872. I feel the aggregate proposal is a masquerade for gold extraction. Yes, the proposed action is on a small section of the 80 acre site (at 5 acres) however, the intent is to mine the full 80 acres. Yes; the site is previously disturbed and was used as a dump in the 20′s and 30′s – it is however now used as passive recreation and open space for the surrounding residential community and has recovered for the most part from this disturbance. This site has also been earmarked for disposal by the BLM (up for sale or trade). The EA fails to address the ‘cumulative’ effects on the community in ignoring the actual intended size of the mine (the BLM is required by NEPA to examine cumulative effects of proposed actions on public lands when they are significant to the locale of operation). The Town of Fairplay, the Fairplay Sanitation District and the Park County Board of Commissioners, as well as the No Fairplay Mine Group, are jointly opposed to the proposed action due to the perceived detriment to the community. How about posting an article which is more comprehensive on the issue and represents both sides of the coin?
Thanks Lisa, I was wondering if there was any local concern. I will check out the website and contact some of the folks with that group. I just wanted to get an initial quick story posted to let folks know that there’s a mining proposal. That was the first I heard of it. Thanks again for the info.