Current Proposed Mining Projects in Oregon National Forests

Total of Sixteen* (16) Projects in Six (6) National Forests

*Two are multiple units

January 2013


National Forest


Mining Project


Status


Project Type

Fremont-Winema

Orsa Minerals Ltd. Proposed Plan of Operations

Proposed

Proposal to perform exploratoring drilling from 11 pads (approximately 70' long and 30' wide) on Crone Hill and Quartz Butte in the area of Quartz Mountain

 

 

 

 

Willamette

Geotechnical Investigations CE for the Proposed Cascade Crossing Transmission Project

Proposed

Geotechnical investigations on National Forest System lands for the proposed Cascade Crossing Transmission Project

 

 

 

 

Deschutes

Newberry Geothermal Consent to Lease Project

Proposed

The decision will either allow or deny BLM permission to lease National Forest System lands for geothermal exploration and potential development. Forest is analyzing 11 new parcels.

 

 

 

 

Mt. Hood

Geotechnical Investigations CE for the Proposed Cascade Crossing Transmission Project

Proposed

Geotechnical investigations on National Forest System lands for the proposed Cascade Crossing Transmission Project

 

 

 

 

Rogue River-
Siskiyou

Wizard Island #2 Mine Project

Proposed

The project would authorize mining a sulfur enriched clay mineral deposit (epithermal argillite) on approximately 5 acres of land for up to 10 years. There would be no vegetation removal.

 

Weatherbee Mining Claim

Proposed

Placer mine, removing mineral deposit from an ancient channel (underground). Project would remove approximately 40 cubic yards of material per year. Removal process would primarily pick and shovel, using a winch to move material mid-slope.

 

Cedar Gulch Mine

Proposed

Previously known as Tracy Placer Mining Project (#9992). Prepare Supplemental EIS and environmental review of proposed Plan of Operations for placer mining less than 5 acres in the Sucker Creek watershed.

 

Governor Davis Placer Mine Plan of Operations

Proposed

Placer mining Plan of Operations for exploration and sampling.

 

 

 

 

Umatilla & Wallow-Whitman

Granite Creek Watershed Mining Plans

Proposed

Analyze proposed mining plans of operations within the Granite Creek Watershed on the Umatilla and Wallow-Whitman NFs.

Umatilla

Hidaway Mining

Proposed

Expansion of current exploration pits to a maximum of 30 ft wide by 25 ft deep using hand tools & limited mechanical equipment. Use of an existing closed road & shelter. Placement of an outhouse. Limited use of a spring for hand-washing of rock.

 

 

 

 

Wallow-Whitman

Hallelujah #1

Proposed

 This project would provide approval for a mining Plan of Operations under 36 CFR 228

 

Lower Powder Mines:
7 Mining Units

Proposed

This project combines 6 previously individual projects and would provide approval for Plans of Operations under 36 CFR 228 for Buster 1 & 2, California Gulch, French Gulch Group, J & J Placer, Pardner Group, and Peerless/Old Crow

 

Salmon Creek Placer

Proposed

This project would provide approval for a Plan of Operations under 36 CFR 228.

 

Upper North Fork John Day Mining: 3 Mining Units

Proposed:

This project combines 3 previously individual mining projects and would provide approval for Plans of Operations under 36 CFR 228 for AH Standard Mine, Big Indian Placer, and Centennial Mine.

 

Upper Powder Mining Projects

Proposed

Analysis of 11 Plans of Operations and amendments for lode and placer mining activities within the Upper Powder River Watershed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note One: These projects allow mining corporations to explore for valuable minerals. The exploration is always approved by the Forest Service. For these exploration projects the acreage of the mine is not given, nor the number of trees impacted.

Note Two: In these records, the Forest Service does not distinguish between a small, sustainable projects by hobbyists and massive destructive projects that demolish tens of thousands mature trees, leaving barren waste piles and pits a mile in diameter and over 1,000 feet deep.

 

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