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Mine Plan of Operations
Summary of Mine Plan of Operation
Begin by reviewing this brief Summary of the Proposed Rosemont Copper Project (pdf, 7.9 mb).
Mine Plan of Operation
In July, 2007, Coronado National Forest officials received a proposed Mine Plan of Operations (MPO) for development of an open pit copper mine known as the Rosemont Copper Project, which is owned by Rosemont Mining Company (a subsidiary of Augusta Resource Corporation).
Reading Room Documents
The Reading Room Documents are a collection of scientific and engineering documentation developed by Rosemont Copper Company to satisfy the needs of the Forest Service to evaluate their proposal. As the NEPA process proceeds, additional documents may be added.
Mine Location
The MPO proposes a mining operation to recover copper, molybdenum, and silver in an area approximately 30 miles southeast of Tucson in the Santa Rita Mountains west of State Route 83 (31º 50′N and 110º 45′W), within Townships 18 and 19, Ranges 15 and 16, Gila and Salt River Meridian, Pima County, Arizona.
You can view this location on Google Maps at http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=31.833333,-110.75&z=13&t=h&hl=en.
Land Ownership
Though much of the Project ore body is located beneath patented mining claims (on private land), the proposal also addresses impacts to adjacent National Forest System lands resulting from road construction, milling, and the deposition of tailings and waste rock. The proposed mining project would be located on 995 acres of private land and 3,670 acres of National Forest System land. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and the State of Arizona may be affected by certain activities associated with the proposed project.
MPO Review
The MPO has been under review by Forest Service managers and mineral experts on the Coronado National Forest since July, 2007.
Coronado National Forest Supervisor, Jeanine Derby, requested additional information from Rosemont Mining Company. That request is contained in this letter dated October 19, 2007. Rosemont Mining Company has provided the information requested. Additional information requests will be ongoing throughout the EIS process.