Proposed Sapphire Mine near Hauser Lake

[R.K.]

Looks like a mining company is trying to start a placer mining operation on the east side of Hauser Lake on roughly 2 1/2 acres of BLM land. Comment period too the BLM opened on August 7 and is open for 30 days.

“Comments on the Plan should be submitted on the project’s ePlanning site or to the Butte Field Office at [email protected]. Please add “McCune Bar Plan of Operations” in the subject line.”

Article below.

BLM seeks comments on proposed placer mining in Lewis and Clark County, Montana | Bureau of Land Management

The BLM Butte Field Office is seeking input on the Montana Sapphire Mining Company’s Plan of Operations to conduct placer mining on public lands in Lewis and Clark County, Montana.

www.blm.gov

Project information

EplanningUi

eplanning.blm.gov

 

[texwest44]

Aren't the sapphires that come out of the Big Belts supposed to be generally lower in quality than other places in MT?

 

[Straight Arrow]

Where did that tangential, off-topic "saphire quality"(?) question come from?

 

[El Jason]

Where did that tangential, off-topic "saphire quality"(?) question come from?

Maybe he was just curious.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Thanks for posting, I sent my comment

 

[MTGomer]

The value of gems comes from how many Africans died in a cave-in retrieving them for their warlord.
Oppose

 

[texwest44]

Maybe he was just curious.

Indeed I was. Still am, too. Just kind of wondering about the possible longevity and intensity of activity of a mine that is potentially getting poor returns on investment.

Considering those details of a mining operation on public land don't seem off-topic to me but I suppose I could have been a bit more direct.

 

[elkduds]

Placer mining is heavy water user and polluter. Comment sent in opposition.

 

[LopeHunter]

I recall something re BLM has an obligation to maximize revenues of the lands they are custodians for so as long as the activity is legal. This may be a hate the game not the player situation.

Are there any additional approvals before can start up mining operations once BLM approves a submitted plan? For example, does any other governmental agency, Federal or State, have to approve the actual extraction method including whether disturbance to the soil and water during the extraction is acceptable?

Of course, BLM could get approval from Congress to sell this particular BLM property to a private entity to maximize short term revenue though access for recreation would likely cease.

 

[Blowdowner]

If it passes every single owner and every dollar better stay in America.

 

[Hunting Wife]

I recall something re BLM has an obligation to maximize revenues of the lands they are custodians for so as long as the activity is legal. This may be a hate the game not the player situation.

Are there any additional approvals before can start up mining operations once BLM approves a submitted plan? For example, does any other governmental agency, Federal or State, have to approve the actual extraction method including whether disturbance to the soil and water during the extraction is acceptable?

Of course, BLM could get approval from Congress to sell this particular BLM property to a private entity to maximize short term revenue though access for recreation would likely cease.

Yes, but given the neutering that has occurred to Federal regulatory oversight I don’t foresee any denial coming from the Feds. The state has its own regulatory processes and could deny it. Not sure about the likelihood of that happening though.

Now to be tangential- My understanding is that since OnX put out the map depicting federal lands identified for disposal, managers at land management agencies in several states, including Montana, have been receiving calls from people wanting to know how they go about buying those federal parcels. I haven’t heard it’s being considered yet, but I wonder whether our Secretary will deploy that strategy to circumvent public comment and red tape.